Prevention

The basis for proposed actions are needs and gaps identified during implementation of MEDISSA component of CADAP 5. The actions do not only built up on activities of the previous phase - CADAP 5, but also introduce new elements.

 The following three work packages are foreseen:

         Planning and dissemination of information on the drug problem (national level)

         Implementation of a campaign/program on local level in several localities in each country (local level)

         Developing and testing prevention programmes (frontline level)

The first work package is the continuation of the work focused on support of developing Info Services on Substance Abuse (ISSA) in the scope of MEDISSA CADAP 5. The institutions dealing with drug problems in CA countries developed information services. However, there is a lack of coordination and relevant exchange of information. In consequence, the information is disseminated inconsistently. Therefore, the reliability of information and dissemination structures needs to be improved.

The second work package is focused on a wider implementation of the community based prevention approach developed and tested in the scope of MEDISSA. The community based approach is considered internationally most promising in substance abuse prevention. Although the CA countries have centralized political and administrative structures, there is still space for local self-governmental activities. According to previous assessments, the local level in CA countries is still feasible for initiating and coordinating prevention activities. The basis for the implementation of this work packages will be the guidelines for local drug prevention developed in the scope of MEDISSA.

The third work package is a new element. The experiences of the implementation of MEDISSA showed that there is a need for developing prevention programs defined as repeatable prevention technology. Such tools have to be country specific because they are sensitive to the cultural context. The lessons learnt from the CADAP 5 implementation show that the CA region is rather diverse, both in terms of socio-economic and cultural aspects.

The importance of regional cooperation to be intensified was expressed several times by CA experts. Therefore, all three work packages include actions focused on regional networking. Also all three packages involve NGOs, that will increase their capacity through participation in common actions and receiving relevant training.

The key expected results of the action are as follows:

         Social responses to tackle drug use in the region increased

         Best practices and better quality services for prevention of drug use consolidated

         Social awareness on drugs further raised

Component 3 – Work Package I: Planning and dissemination of information on the drug problem (national level)

 The component will develop a comprehensive system for dissemination of information about the drug problem targeting various groups (experts, professionals, NGOs, journalists, youth, parents, teachers, police, social workers, counsellors, medical doctors, drug addicts, and finally general public) and will support the establishment of resource and coordination centres, the development of webpages/newsletters and the training for journalists. The regional network of experts from national level dealing with dissemination of information will be created to facilitate information exchange within CA Region.

Activities within WP I:

a)      Regional seminar – continuation of ISSA development (web-page, newsletter, resource centre), sharing experiences and networking at the regional level;

b)   Study visit to EMCDDA (Lisbon) for national experts (ISSA), learning from European best practice in building a comprehensive system of information dissemination at the regional level

c)   Regional seminar – training for journalists constituting continuation of training initiated by CADAP 5, sharing experiences and networking at the regional level.

Component 3 – Work Package II: Implementation of a campaign/programme at local level in several localities in each country (local level)

National campaigns promoting local prevention proposed in the guidelines developed in the scope of CADAP 5 will be suggested. In 4-6 localities in each country local campaigns/programmes will be initiated using experiences of pilot project implemented in the scope of CADAP 5. The key principle of local approach is to mobilise all relevant local institutions and organisations (local administration, health service, educational sector, social service, low-enforcement agencies, NGOs, religion leaders, etc.) for common prevention efforts. The schools and other youth settings are considered to be highly important places of intervention. In each locality the intersectoral working group will be established to develop and to implement local action plan. BC National/Local experts involved in implementation of CADAP 5 will be used as trainers after ToT (Training-of-Trainers) provided by European Experts. They will be contracted as consultants (trainers) and they will work under supervision of European Experts.

 Activities within WP II:

a)      Assessment mission - national meetings, discussing national priorities, organizational details of implementation, rules of selection of localities (municipalities), proposals of country specific programs to be developed, sharing tasks and responsibilities;

b)      Regional seminar - ToT for Beneficiary Country (BC) experts, two BC experts involved in CADAP 5 will be trained to take the position of consultants (trainers). After training they will act as the programme’s agents for disseminating local approach methodologies in 4-6 localities;

c)      National training seminar for local experts (including NGOs representatives) from selected new localities, who will initiate local program/actions

d)      Local seminars - training for one new municipality, where consultant will conduct training under supervision of European Experts;

e)      Consultancy and supervision mission to one locality – supervision visit to one selected new locality. Meeting with BC consultants (trainers) to consult any problems and to monitor progress in local approach application in all selected localities;  

f)       Study visit to Europe for local experts – learning from European best practice, sharing experiences in prevention;

g)      National seminars summarizing experiences of local action, evaluating results, networking of localities on the national level;

h)        Regional seminar summarizing experiences of local action, evaluating results, networking of localities on the regional level.

i)        Updating and supplementing guidelines for drug use prevention - on the basis of best EU and international practices as well as CA countries experiences

Component 3 – Work Package III: Developing and testing prevention program (frontline level)

In each CA country working group of prevention experts will be established for developing and testing prevention program together with European experts. European best practice will be used as a source of inspiration for developing a country specific programme. Three concepts to be initially proposed:

         Strengthening family program;

         Indicative prevention program;

         Selective prevention program focused on youth.

 No more than one program will be developed and tested in each country. The final decision about the program will be taken together with CA experts and policy makers on the basis of needs assessment. The output of this work package will be not only country specific prevention program (technology) ready to be implemented in each country, but also a network of BC experts prepared for developing such programs in the future.

 Activities within WP III:

a)      National seminars for programme preparation – establishment of expert working group, elaboration of draft program and design of a pilot implementation and evaluation;

b)      Local training seminar preparing to programme implementation and evaluation;

c)      National seminar for results analyses – analysing results of programme implementation and evaluation;

d)      National seminar for program finalization on the basis of pilot implementation  and evaluation. Elaboration of dissemination design;

e)      Regional seminar on prevention - sharing experiences and networking prevention experts at the regional level. Discussion of possible applicability of each program in other countries of the region