PDF (Lessons learned in drug abuse prevention: a global review)

NATIONAL
the abuse of illicit drugs since 1992. The prevalence of marijuana use in Bolivia has
increased from 0.6% in 1992 to 2.5% in 2000; and the corresponding figures for
cocaine show an increase from 0.2% in 1992 to 1.3 % in 2000. Another worrying
trend is the steady fall in the age of initiation of drug use: first use of cannabis in 1992
was reported at age 15.6; in 2000, the corresponding figure was reported to be 14.7.
Total prevalence of illicit drug use among youth between 12-25 years - the most affected
group - was 5.8 % in 2000. Many members of this group are working children and/or
street children.
Aims:
To contribute to the development of a culture that observes the rights of children and
adolescents, based on the principles of dignity and fairness and with the aim of achieving
a society free from drugs.
Main activities:
● Planning a national strategy with relevant stakeholders: To put into execution a
national plan for drug abuse prevention and the protection and defence of childrens’ and
adolescents’ rights, in the context of which the establishment of Municipal Child
Ombudsmen was promoted.
● Raising awareness among municipalities to motivate their co-operation: All
municipalities were trained and informed in order to motivate decision-makers to establish
Municipal Child Ombudsmen Offices to promote the rights of children and adolescents in
the community.
●Training staff who will implement the project: The project team works on the development
of training materials and their contents, expertise in children’s and adolescents’
rights, and on drug abuse prevention. Several social actors, such as lawyers, psychologists,
social workers, judges for juvenile courts, community developers and leaders, youth leaders,
police officers and parent associations, are trained to work in Municipal Child Ombudsmen
Offices in the field of drug abuse prevention. Topics for training include issues related to
drug abuse and the promotion, protection and defence of the rights of children and
adolescents.
“Municipal Child
Ombudsmen Offices
aim to promote
children’s rights and
prevent the cause of
violence, the abuse
and neglect of the
family and the
community.”
● Training ‘topics’ are divided into four main areas:
I. Administration and management of the Municipal Child Ombudsmen Offices. This
includes learning correct procedures and functions, and the development of skills related
to the specific responsibilities of the offices.
II. Development of legal norms and procedures within the framework of the new Code
for Children and Adolescents, the Law on Domestic Violence, and the Law for Minors.
This includes the development of procedures for research into, or investigation of, specific
cases or problems, including the detection of drug abuse and related problems.
III. Methods for conducting needs assessments of the specific needs and situations of
children and adolescents in the different municipalities. These may be strategies for the
early detection of problems, the understanding of risk factors and protective factors,
and the detection of potential problems and solutions for the prevention of illicit drug
abuse within the community.
IV. Training in secondary drug abuse prevention is given to manage difficult cases where a
problem relating to drug abuse is detected. This training also prepares for the
development of strategies for drug abuse prevention and health promotion in the
community.
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