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 organizational and substantial parts of the training and express their will to participate in the similar trainings full of inter-activity and open discussions.
It was decided to establish an unofficial network of the training participants and held further meetings.
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