The Republican campaign "Belarus Against Drugs and Alcohol" starts today
24/06/20100 views
24 June, Minsk / Olga Shvaiko - BELTA. The nationwide campaign "Belarus Against Drugs and Alcohol" is launched today in our country, the Ministry of Health informed BELTA correspondent.
The slogan of the campaign, which will run from June 24 to July 7, is "Sober Youth - Strong Belarus". The event aims to prevent alcoholism and drug addiction, related diseases, and to strengthen the promotion of a healthy lifestyle among the republic's population.
During the campaign, hotlines will be available for information on treatment for alcoholism and drug addiction. Consultations can be obtained daily, except for weekends. The hotlines numbers are: Republican Center of the Ministry of Health - 8 (017) 289-88-33, Brest region - 8 (0162) 28 20 51, Vitebsk region - 8 (0212) 48-61-58, Gomel region - 8 (0232) 71 96 32, Grodno region - 8 (0) - 170 (round the clock), Minsk region - 8 (017) 233-55-88, Mogilev region - 8 (0) 28-65-01, Minsk - 8 (017) 345-71-57 and 245-14-01.
During these days, various events will also be organized dedicated to the inadmissibility of the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, toxic and other intoxicating substances, alcoholic, low-alcohol drinks and beer by children and youth, as well as the negative health consequences for children and youth of such use, and the prohibition of the consumption of alcoholic, low-alcohol drinks and beer in public places.
Organizers will hold round tables and seminars, with the participation of representatives from healthcare organizations, higher medical educational institutions, culture, sports and tourism, drug control and anti-trafficking prevention departments of internal affairs bodies, public and religious organizations. In addition, educational institutions, health resorts, and extracurricular centers will host information and educational, sports and health, and cultural and mass events timed to coincide with the campaign, including discos, quizzes, contests, and exhibitions of drawings and posters, and sports events.
Certainly, the foundation of the Ministry of Health's activities to prevent harmful alcohol consumption is prevention. First and foremost, this is informational work: speeches by specialists in the media, participation in the organization and conduct of mass events, as well as providing advisory assistance. Alcoholism Prevention Day, which is celebrated this year on July 8, is another reason to draw public attention to this issue.
In our country, narcologists and psychotherapists provide appropriate assistance to people suffering from alcoholism. In addition, more than 50 groups of the public association "Alcoholics Anonymous" operate in the republic. The result of the work carried out by the Ministry of Health with all stakeholders has been a decrease in the number of observed patients and a reduction in the number of deaths. Thus, in 2009, the number of deaths from accidental alcohol poisoning decreased by 7.2%, primarily due to a 7% decrease in the number of deaths of working-age individuals. Last year, compared to 2008, a 2.9% decrease in the level of alcohol sales was achieved. The number of crimes committed while intoxicated decreased by 5.5%.
Work in this direction continues. Currently, a draft Concept of the State Program to reduce alcohol consumption and mitigate its negative consequences for society is being developed. A comprehensive approach, including restrictive, informational and preventive, educational, price-related, and other measures based on WHO recommendations, will reduce harmful alcohol consumption by the republic's population. -0-
BELTA