European experience of drug abuse prevention

The conducted scientific research in the field of prevention allowed to develop methodological bases of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of drug addiction and alcoholism.

The problem of drug and substance abuse among children, adolescents and young people is extremely acute both in Russia and in foreign countries. Various state and non-state institutions of many countries are taking action to overcome it. Thanks to these efforts, the modern society has changed the attitude to this problem and from the state of declarative recognition of the need for preventive activity has moved to active action. Now they are developing the main strategic approaches and research base, implementing various programs, actions, etc.

The risk factors contributing to the beginning of narcotization, as well as the factors ensuring the stability of the personality, are defined. The tasks of preventive activity, the main directions and organizational bases for the construction of preventive programs are formulated, and a system of prevention technologies is developed. In the field of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, medical-psychological (psychotherapeutic), social and pedagogical technologies are distinguished.

Medico-psychological technologies provide for a system of specialists' actions aimed at developing an adaptive personality capable of effective development, overcoming life difficulties and problems. Social and pedagogical technologies are aimed at the correct provision of information, the creation of motivation for a healthy lifestyle and the formation of a social support system.

On the basis of theoretical studies, preventive programs have been developed for children, adolescents and young people of various ages, as well as the length of parents and teachers. The programs are tested, they are introduced in schools and medical and psychological centers of different cities and regions of Russia. The most complete set of programs is presented and tested on model sites, where it functions for a number of years and where its effectiveness is determined

Experts of many countries, noting the multidisciplinary character of the problem of prevention, widely develop interdepartmental activity, both in terms of participation in various research projects, practical implementation of scientific research, and in addressing the development of the prevention system. For example, Russia has an interdepartmental expert council on prevention issues, established under the Ministry of Education of Russia.

At the European level, many countries participate in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking through the activities of a multidisciplinary team known as the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe. The Pompidou Group for a multidisciplinary forum of experts and politicians, its goal is to develop comprehensive anti-drug strategies, to stimulate the exchange of information and experience, to track negative signals, problems, and examples of effective practical experience, to connect the efforts of politicians, practitioners and research. Priority directions in the work of the Pompidou Group: prevention and treatment of drug addiction, development of scientific research in this field. In its work also involved sectors dealing with social issues, education, justice, law enforcement and youth.

Currently, the prevention of drug addiction as a science puts clearly formulated goals, objectives and strategies of action and represents a system of scientific knowledge. Depending on the direction of preventive work, various activity strategies have been developed for different categories of the population and youth.

However, there are serious problems, without the solution of which prevention can not be effective and effective. Specialists working in the field of drug abuse prevention in different countries are concerned with finding and developing new more effective methods and technologies for preventive work. Prevention of drug addiction today requires new tactical solutions.

Experts from foreign countries recognize as priority approaches that increase the effectiveness of preventive activity:

• participation of the youngest in preventive work;
• conducting European youth forums on the prevention of drug addiction;
• The use of information telematics technologies in the prevention of dependence.

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Participation of youth in preventive activities of drug addiction

As in foreign countries, and in Russia, society begins to recognize and evaluate the opportunities for young people in preventive work. Young people rebel against the authoritarianism of adults, sometimes not finding a common language with them. Meanwhile, young people are an active part of society and can bring positive and long-term benefits. Cooperation between youth and adults, building partnerships is a necessary condition for the successful achievement of the goals and objectives of programs for the prevention of dependencies. Young people highly appreciate the importance of working together not only with each other, but with society as a whole. Young people listen to young people. Young people are effective teachers who can convince their peers that the prevention of drug addiction is extremely important, since this is one of the most important issues affecting modern youth. They are able to assess which methods are most effective. There are many examples of prevention programs initiated and developed by young people from different European countries. In some programs, adults are also included in the program structure, and their task is to support the efforts of young people and be a resource of experience and knowledge.

For example, a group of young people from Bulgaria created a website to increase the level of awareness among young people about drugs, drug abuse and drug abuse prevention in a non-traditional way. Virtual "heroes" of the site answer questions, share knowledge, help to find the right way to solve the problems. When creating virtual "heroes", young people often used their own experience. In terms of behavior, thoughts and reactions, these characters are direct representatives of typical modern youth. The Internet forum constantly expands the audience, updates information on all issues of interest. In addition, everyone can participate in the evolution of virtual "heroes".

In a program developed in Greece, young people used the hobby of young people with dancing and music. Along with the dances, there is a screening of films, shot by the children themselves according to their own scenario, about the action of drugs and the sensations of their use. The purpose of the film is to get the viewer to feel what the character of the movie was experiencing, to identify with him. The program shows the effectiveness of youth participation in preventive activities and debunks the existing stereotype that dances and music always cause associations with drug use.

In a program developed in Poland, young people organized special kiosks in youth recreation areas. They can get not only anti-drug information materials, but also talk with volunteers about exciting problems, without wasting time seeking help.

The remarkable television program "Danger Zone" is working in Russia, where peers in an accessible and understandable manner cover the problems of youth associated with the use of drugs and alcohol.

Interesting programs are created by young people in many countries, and these advocacy programs are aimed at attracting the attention of youth to the problem, the opportunity to share information, and conduct training on important issues.

European Youth Forum on Drug Prevention

Among the effective tactics, it is necessary to include the holding of the European youth forums for the prevention of drug addiction of the Pompidou Group of the Council of the Corps. Within the framework of the preventive "platform", the Pompidou Group of the Syropa Council held the "First European Consultative Forum on Drug Prevention" in October 2004 in Yekaterinburg. More than 70 young people and 100 experts, specialists, researchers in the field of narcology from various countries of Europe and America participated in this event.

The main goal of the forum was the construction of an open confidential dialogue between young people working in preventive programs and specialists, narcologists, psychologists and prevento- logists. The participants exchanged views, opinions and knowledge on the current issues of drug abuse prevention: alcohol and illegal drug use, cannabis and tobacco use, club drugs, drug-related risks, interviews with youth culture and polydrug use.

The forum was not built according to the traditional scheme of fixed reports and questions, but in the form of a lively conversation between young people and adult participants by expert peers. Along with the leading sections specialists, young people participated as facilitators, as well as persons responsible for summarizing the work of the sessions.

The main task of the lead session was to activate the young audience, to make it frankly discuss various issues on the problems of the use of surfactants and the prevention of this phenomenon. When the first minutes of stiffness were overcome, young people began to actively speak and tasks, questions. Unexpected was the negative attitude of some of the youth to adults. They believed that adults say the truth about the impact of drugs on various aspects of health and would like to know the whole truth about this. On the other hand, they believed that adults impose stereotypes of behavior on them, what to eat and what not. Another part of young people believed that they themselves were able to solve the problem of drug addiction and there was no need for adult help.

During the discussions, they found out that young people have good knowledge of various aspects of polydrug use. She raised complex problems, such as: the legalization of certain types of drugs, the role of the family in preventive work, the responsibility to their own future family and offspring. They also demonstrated a correct understanding of the problem of polydrug use in general and preventive work in particular; shared the most diverse preventive programs and actions that they themselves carry out.

Thus, the forum held showed that an equal dialogue between adult specialists and young people is a very important experiment and a necessary step for effective preventive work against drug use in the youth environment. In addition, similar dialogues enrich the knowledge of both adults and young people. Without active participation of young people in preventive work, it is impossible to achieve serious success. Modern youth has become an integrated part of society. Her experience, ambition, and the desire to make her contribution deserve attention.

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Use of information telematics technologies in drug abuse prevention

Many European countries recognize that one of the approaches that enhances the effectiveness of prevention programs is the use of new information telematics technologies. Thanks to him, you can achieve more freedom and flexibility in areas that are still limited by the physical realities of the world. The main advantage of these technologies is that we are no longer connected by time or place. If the phone and fax started this process, then the appearance of e-mail became worthy of its continuation. Thanks to the use of telematics, effective tools are created for the construction and analysis of ever more complicated processes in society, labor productivity is increasing. Internet, mobile phone services, videoconferences, specialized games, sites are increasingly penetrating into preventive work. All this expands the possibilities of preventive work, facilitates dialogue between people, promotes anonymity, facilitates finding help, regulates psychosocial distances.

Young people can easily work with these technologies, they are not hampered by old traditions, they are open to everything new and are prone to rapid learning. Telematics is a manifestation of their strength, individuality and superiority over adults, it is attractive to young people and it must be used in preventive work. The search threshold of treatment is quite high, and it can be significantly reduced thanks to telematics. Direct communication "face to face" is not at all an indispensable element in a person's work. In fact, people want to regulate themselves psycho-social distances among themselves, and this fact has become an important new feature of information networks and telematics. The Internet and other information technologies provide great opportunities for the prevention of drug abuse and treatment, even when it is necessary to help marginalized groups of society. With the help of new technologies, people can be active and take part in preventive work. Virtual reality is the most interesting prospect of telematics. On the one hand, it is an excellent tool for prevention, education and treatment, on the other hand, it is necessary to realize that it can create another addiction. Among the countries of the Ferry, where the use of telematics in the field of narcology has achieved considerable success, Finland can be singled out. Methods for prevention based on Internet technologies, videoconferences and telephone technologies were developed at the Finnish Scientific Center "A-Clinic Foundation". The main server "AddiktionLink" was created in 1996. The site consists of a data bank, discussion forums, self-assessment tests and instructions, counseling services, a section for the family, parents, foreigners, etc.

In 2000, the mobile telephone service SMS "Promille" was also organized and actively used in Finland, which includes an anonymous remote calculator for assessing the blood alcohol content. The user sends SMS information about his field, weight, number of drinks consumed, start time of the drinking session, and a remote calculator will estimate the alcohol content in the blood. The purpose of this service is to provide a convenient way to measure your own level of alcohol in the blood, for example, to assess your condition and the ability to drive. This test can be easily used and self-monitoring of alcohol use.

The Finnish portal www.apua.info for counseling and crisis situations brings together 15 health organizations, mental health, drug treatment institutions, and institutions dealing with issues of child welfare and issues of domestic violence. The main advantage of the portal is that, by combining many related psychosocial areas, it helps the user to find the required help, and the system itself directs it and the corresponding services. At the same time, many-sided forms of assistance are offered through one channel. The portal, due to its great technological capabilities, can become a service portal in the field of social assistance and health care in Finland.

The "AddictionLink" service received the Finnish award for best material in the field of health promotion for 1999 and was selected as one of the nominees for the European award in the field of education and health in 2000. This service significantly reduced the threshold for seeking help for people with problems with surfactant abuse. The number of "outpatient" contacts in the A-Clinic Foundation is constantly growing. The service "AddictionLink" helps those people who would not otherwise seek information and treatment in connection with the problems of using surfactants.

There is a pan-European network "Prevnet", which has developed many promising proposals, especially with regard to the possible use of telematic technologies in the field of narcology. In this system, those technologies that are to be considered in the future when using telematics are highlighted. This is, first of all, the use of mobile phones. In the field of health care and social assistance, telephone hotlines are still popular. The examples show that telematics services can complement and sometimes improve existing services for care and treatment

Summarizing the longstanding experience of the countries of Europe in the field of the prevention of addictions, the Executive Secretary of the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe, Chris Lakket, in his report "On the ways of drug delivery from Afghanistan" at the international conference within the framework of the G8: preventive work will become effective if preventive programs are are based on scientific developments and theory, will use new information technologies, include training in social skills. To increase the effectiveness of preventive work, it is necessary to involve the family, the community, the media in it, to include interactive training, to take into account cultural features and to increase the level of interdepartmental cooperation.

Experts attribute to difficulties in preventive work primarily the low level of interdepartmental cooperation, idealistic and unrealistic expectations, focusing on short-term and ambitious results, unrelated and contradictory preventive goals, building a policy on prevention on populist assumptions, and lack of resources.

Conditions for successful and effective preventive activities:

• adaptation of foreign programs to local cultural, economic, political conditions;
• Involving local experts in the process of adaptation and program implementation;
• a combination of a holistic approach with a high level of cooperation between the organizations involved;
• involvement of target groups in preventive work (especially youth);
• Inclusion and prevention programs that work on the basis of schools, tribes to form healthy life style skills;
• transformation of monitoring and evaluation of effectiveness into permanent elements of preventive programs.