Preventing Underage Drinking Across Latin America and The Caribbean

Celebrating a Milestone

For over 25 years, CAPLAB has been committed to unlocking human potential as a pathway to personal and professional growth, focusing particularly on vulnerable groups. Through initiatives that foster quality education, strategic alliances, and impactful improvements, CAPLAB has become a regional leader in empowering communities. In this blog, discover how our collaboration is driving change and impact LAC through creative education.

Since 2022, CAPLAB has taken a bold step forward in addressing underage drinking by becoming the Smashed coordinator and introducing our innovative program to Latin America and The Caribbean. These efforts empower young people to make informed decisions and envision brighter future by tackling underage drinking with positive thinking.

In collaboration with Smashed, CAPLAB has been driving change for adolescents across Latin America and The Caribbean. Through engaging theatre performances, interactive cinema, and expert-led discussions, Smashed delivers a powerful message about the risks of underage drinking. Since 2022, CAPLAB and its regional partners have implemented Smashed Live and Online in 15 countries, reaching over 3 million young people. This incredible milestone has been achieved by working with more than 8,500 schools and delivering over 29,000 sessions.

The success of Smashed in the region is a testament to the collaborative spirit of CAPLAB and its exceptional partners. These include:

  • Fundación Crear vale la pena (Argentina)
  • Simón de Sirene Foundation (Chile)
  • Héxagon (Chile and Ecuador)
  • CIRD Foundation (Paraguay)
  • El Abrojo (Uruguay)
  • Grupo Mersa (Costa Rica)
  • Instituto Dominicano de Desarrollo Integral, Inc. (IDDI) (Dominican Republic)
  • Fundación para la Educación Integral Salvadoreña – FEDISAL (El Salvador)
  • DEMOS (Guatemala)
  • COSPAE (Panama)
  • Instituto Aliança (Brazil)
  • Contacto+Pro and Impulso Social (Mexico)
  • Dividendo Voluntario para la Comunidad, A.C. (Venezuela)

This broad coalition has allowed Smashed to deliver extraordinary results throughout the region, making a tangible impact on the lives of millions of adolescents.

A Vision for the Future

The regional LAC Summit held in 2025 underscores the collective commitment to optimising Smashed’s implementation and enhancing its impact in diverse cultural and social contexts. The summit also provided an opportunity to reflect on the program’s future and its role in preventing alcohol consumption among young people. Furthermore, the event defined priorities and strategies for the Teenagers Prevention Network, emphasizing sustainability, growth, and regional adaptation.

“I was so honoured to have been invited to be a part of this wonderful gathering. The energy, enthusiasm and commitment to making a real difference to adolescents on issues of prevention was inspiring to witness and participate in” – Andy Summers, Smashed Global Director at Collingwood Learning

Renewed Commitment to Adolescent Wellbeing

Thanks to the unwavering support of authorities, school principals, and teachers across the region, CAPLAB and its partners have reached an incredible milestone: impacting the lives of 3 million young people. This achievement strengthens their resolve to continue addressing underage drinking and inspiring young people to build a brighter future.