Stockholm launches early intervention program to prevent crime in children as young as six

Stockholm will become the first city in Sweden to test a new early intervention program aimed at preventing children as young as six from entering a life of crime and substance abuse, SVT Nyheter reports.

The initiative, called MST-CAN (Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect), expands on an existing method used for older children by addressing problems within the child’s environment—not just the child’s behavior. The program, set to begin on April 1, will initially focus on the districts of Järva, Enskede-Årsta-Vantör, Hässelby-Vällingby, and Hägersten-Älvsjö.

“If we want to tackle the issues we see in society, we can’t just rely on tougher penalties,” said Alexander Ojanne (S), Stockholm’s social and public safety commissioner. He emphasized that early intervention is key to breaking cycles of crime and addiction.

The three-year project, budgeted at 55 million SEK (roughly 5 million EUR), aims to support around 90 families, with each receiving intensive assistance. Teams will work with families three to five times a week for up to six months, providing tailored support to reduce risks such as criminal behavior or substance abuse.

Ojanne called the 600,000 SEK (approx. 54,000 EUR) cost per family a “good investment,” noting that a single gang criminal can cost society up to 23 million SEK (2.1 million EUR) over time. “This is worth it,” he said.

The original MST method, developed in the US in the 1970s, has been used in Sweden since the early 2000s for teenagers aged 12–17 as an alternative to foster care. While MST focuses on the individual’s behavior, MST-CAN targets the broader family and social environment—a shift that may lead to more families declining participation, Ojanne acknowledged.

Stockholm officials express confidence in the program’s success, citing positive results in Norway, the US, and Germany. “It’s an evidence-based method, so we’re quite convinced it will work in Sweden too,” Ojanne said.