UNODC participates in a Prevention Seminar on Drugs Public Policy in Recife

 

Recife, July 3, 2015 - Held at Fafire auditorium, in Recife, the Prevention Seminar on Drugs Public Policy had the objective to discuss and articulate actions aimed at prevention of problematic drug use. The audience of the seminar was composed by the social assistance network professionals, teachers, students, members of social movements and representatives of the councils.

The meeting was organized by the Executive Secretariat for Policies on Drugs (Sepod), of the Secretariat of Social Development, Child and Youth (SDSDH). The opening of the event was conducted by the Secretary Isaltino Nascimento, who highlighted the establishment of the Executive Secretariat for Policies on Drugs in the state of Pernambuco. "What we want is to discuss and build public policies in articulated way, giving priority to preventive actions, with education, assistance, recreation, qualification and health", the secretary said.

One of the tables of the seminar discussed "The context of public policies in prevention on drug use", which had the presentation of the HIV Programme Officer of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Nara Santos, the coordinator of the National Secretariat for Policies on Drugs (Senad), Leon Garcia, and the consultant of SENAD for the project network in the counties of the state of Pernambuco, Melissa Azevedo. The mediation was performed by the executive secretary of Policies on Drugs, Marcia Ribeiro.

 

Entrega do Diploma de Mérito pela Valorização da Vida

Giving emphasis on international guidelines of prevention, Nara highlighted the importance of scientific evidence on prevention work. "The science of prevention has made huge advances over the last 20 years, allowing to identify that, based on evidence, prevention strategies need to extrapolate the information field. The evidence points to the importance of the relationship between prevention and the socialization process of children and adolescents", says Nara.

Citing the publication International Standards on Drug Use Prevention of UNODC, Nara also highlighted that, for every dollar spent on prevention, at least ten can be saved in future costs on the health,social programs and crime.

In the afternoon, were presented information on the "Networks for prevention: successful experience on prevention" with the psychologist of the Catholic University of Goiás, Larissa de Almeida Nobre Sandoval. And then, there was the delivery of the "Merit Diploma by Appreciation of Life" to individuals and corporations. The annual award is granted to personalities and institutions that collaborate in scientific, cultural, technical or medical way with the National Drug Policy System. 

With Information from the site of the Secretariat of Social Development Children and Youth

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We thank our UN Online Volunteer, Yiyang Song, for her contribution to the translation of this article. Yiyang Song, is an online volunteer mobilized through   www.onlinevolunteering.org.