UNDP Marked International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

26.06.2009 - On 25-26 June 2009 the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia organized a national workshop in Tsahkadzor on drug related legislation for lawyers and legal experts representing all drug related institutions of Armenia.

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National Training on Primary Drug Prevention, May 22-23, 2009

Within the Component 4 of SCAD-V Programme (Prevention of Drug Use in Schools and via Mass Media), Dr. Artur Potosyan, SCAD local expert on Drug Prevention conducted a 2-day national training for mass media and NGO representatives in May 22-23, 2009.


The training objective was to train mass media representatives and journalists on core concepts of primary prevention of drug use and support them in publicizing June 26 event through the media they represent.


See also:

• 2-day National Training Agenda »
• List of Participants »
• Training Photos »

SCAD-V Programme Supports Parental Networking for Advocating Healthy Lifestyle for Youngsters

Yerevan, 26 January 2009 - Today the NGO “Scientific Association of Medical Students of Armenia” has launched a pilot project “Parental Involvement into Primary Drug Prevention” in Yerevan schools named after J. Kirakossian, A. Pushkin, V. Mayakovski, A. Chekhov and N. Aghbalyan. The pilot project will be carried out with financial support of the South Caucasus Anti Drug Programme, Phase 5 (SCAD-V), which is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

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Mr. Richard Ives completed his assessement mission in Armenia

Mr. Richard Ives has successfully completed his assessment mission in Armenia by July 12, 2008.

Within his visit mission to Yerevan, Mr Ives interviewed key stakeholders from both governmental agencies and public organizations as well as conducted a 2 day National Training on prevention of drug use.

See Also:

• Assessment Mission Report for the SCAD V Programme, Component on Prevention and on Media Work »

National Training of Drug Primary Prevention

Within the Component 4 of SCAD-V Programme (Prevention of Drug Use in Schools and via Mass Media), Mr. Richard Ives, the EU expert on Drug Prevention conducted a 2-day national training for educationalists, mass media and NGO representatives in June 12-13, 2008.


The training objective was to introduce evidence-based models and tools in the field of drug primary prevention. The special focus was put on drug-related topics of “Healthy Lifestyles” curricula for 8-9 grade students to be carried into practice for the educational year 2008-2009 and main approaches of effective drug prevention through mass media.


Mr. Grigori Malintsyan, SCAD-V Country Manager for Armenia and Dr. Artur Potosyan, SCAD- V Local Expert on Drug Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation were assigned as the training facilitators.


The training consisted of power-point presentation of 7 topics followed by Q&A and discussions as well as 3 group works and group presentations.


Topics presented and discussed were:


1. SCAD-V: Mission, Objectives and Expected Outputs (by Mr. Grigori Malintsyan and SCAD-V country staff);
2. Evidence-Based Drug Education: What we know? (by Mr. Richard Ives);
3. Drug Education Resources: Presentation of drug-prevention TV and computer-based projects (by Mr. Richard Ives);
4. Using the Mass Media for Drug Prevention(by Mr. Richard Ives);
5. Drug Prevention as a part of drug demand reduction: Why it is important? (by Mr. Artur Potosyan);
6. Reduction of drug abuse risk factors and support to protective factors (by Mr. Grigori Malintsyan);
7. Tolerance towards the marginalized groups of population. Reducing stigma and discrimination, protecting human rights (by Mr. Ara Nazinyan, UNDP Expert).


3 groups were formed to discuss and present to the training participants the following three questions:


1. The place of drugs in “Healthy Lifestyles” Curriculum (5 hours from 28): What drugs topics should be included? What are the connections with other topics in the Healthy Lifestyle Curriculum? Assessment: how do we know that children have learned? (presented by Ms. Lusine Alexanyan, National Institute of Education of MoES)
2. Schools and Drugs (outside the Healthy Lifestyles Curriculum): Where else in school curriculum can we include drugs issues? How can schools promote healthy lifestyles in other ways? How can schools involve parents and community in promoting healthy lifestyles? (presented by Mr. Karen Melkonyan, Head of Subprojects of Program Implementation Unit of the MoES)
3. Drug Prevention by using Mass Media: What are the key messages? Who are the key target groups? Which media outlets should be used? How can we avoid raising interest in drugs and promote the public tolerance towards drug addicts? (presented by Mr. Alexander Ter-Hovakimyan, NGO “SAMSA”).


According to training evaluation forms, participants were satisfied with both…

26 June message from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Ten years ago, in response to the seriousness of the world drug problem, Member States of the United Nations convened a Special Session of the General Assembly, where they committed themselves to a vigorous plan of action to reduce both the supply and demand for drugs.


Today, drugs continue to destroy lives, generate crime and threaten sustainable development. But we also have a better understanding of how to confront drug abuse and trafficking. Policymakers can draw on a growing body of evidence about drug dependence and drug-use trends. International cooperation and technical assistance are improving law enforcement capabilities. Increased development assistance is helping to reduce poverty and the sale of illicit crops by giving farmers sustainable alternatives. A stronger focus on prevention and treatment is putting health at the centre of drug-control strategies and helping to slow the spread of HIV/AIDS. And there is a growing consensus, both within communities and among states, that drug control is a shared responsibility in which we all play a part.


We still have much work to do to reduce our vulnerability to drugs. States with weak criminal justice systems and limited law enforcement capabilities need assistance to reduce illicit drug trafficking, which spreads crime, corruption and instability, and which ultimately endangers the successful realization of the Millennium Development Goals.

As we mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I remind all Member States of their responsibility to fully respect the rights of prisoners who are drug dependent or are in custody for drug-related crimes, especially their rights to life and a fair trial. I also call on Member States to ensure that people who are struggling with drug addiction be given equal access to health and social services. No one should be stigmatized or discriminated against because of their dependence on drugs.


The combined efforts over the past decade have greatly enhanced our understanding of the drug problem worldwide and strengthened our capacity and resolve to reduce the damage done by drugs to individuals, their loved ones, to communities and states. On this International Day Against Drug Abuse, let us each shoulder our responsibility to prevent and reduce the damage that drugs do, and
thereby build a healthier and safer world.


See also:
• Download 26 June message (pdf) »