Theme Meeting on Using Sport to Prevent Substance Abuse, 9-12 November 2001, Rome, Italy
Many of us know that Sport could be an effective tool to prevent drug abuse but few of us know that Sport could also lead to drug abuse problems if not used properly. How can sport prevents drug abuse? The answer to this question came up in the meeting organized by UNDCP with the cooperation of the Italian Committee Sport against Drugs. Whether 
sport is preventative or not depends on different factors and values presented by several sources of influence, e.g. society, community, team, family, individual, etc. Sport has the potential to reduce problems but also to create them if it is not used in the right way. The aim of the meeting was to collect and build on the knowledge and experiences of eight groups of young people from different parts of the world (Bolivia, Italy, Kenya, Norway and Spain) using sport as a prevention tool in their programmes. The meeting was structured and facilitated by Gary Roberts, a Senior Associate at the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA), Canada. The meeting started by brainstorming and getting the participant
s' ideas on defining sport and why sport is important for human development. Focused discussions on selecting and training coaches, keeping an on-going programme and the importance of programme evaluation were conducted in small work groups to allow individuals to better elaborate on their ideas. Of course, we shouldn't forget the fun breaks between sessions that were animated by George and Collins from the MYSA Programme, which energized everybody and gave them a push to work harder! There was also time for groups to present their programmes and the work they do. It was quite interesting and enriching and gave the chance for participants to know each other better. All that was learnt and collected from young people's experience and knowledge in this meeting will be translated into a small guide on the best ways to use sport as a preventive factor. Everybody said goodbye after a nice dinner in Rome and promised to keep in touch. Ciao Roma!