A/RES/50/81
Page 20
context, the vulnerability of young people raises a particular problem and
specific measures are therefore needed.
75. The international community places particular emphasis on reducing the
demand for and supply of illegal drugs and preventing abuse. Supply reduction
includes combating international illicit drug trafficking. Drug abuse
prevention initiatives range from discouraging people from taking drugs, thus
preventing involuntary addiction, to helping those who are abusing drugs to
stop doing so. Treatment programmes need to recognize that drug abuse is a
chronic relapsing condition. It is essential for programmes to be adapted to
the social and cultural context and for there to be effective cooperation
between various approaches to treatment. To this end, national initiatives
and measures to combat illicit drug trafficking should be fully supported and
reinforced at the regional and international levels.
76. Drug control strategies at the national and international levels
consistently emphasize initiatives aimed at reducing drug abuse among young
people. This is reflected in the resolutions of the Commission on Narcotic
Drugs and in the demand reduction programmes of the United Nations
International Drug Control Programme.
Proposals for action
1.
Participation of youth organizations and youth in demand
reduction programmes for young people
77. To be effective, demand reduction programmes should be targeted at all
young people, particularly those at risk, and the content of the programmes
should respond directly to the interests and concerns of those young people.
Preventive education programmes showing the dangers of drug abuse are
particularly important. Increasing opportunities for gainful employment and
activities which provide recreation and opportunities to develop a variety of
skills are important in helping young people to resist drugs. Youth
organizations can play a key role in designing and implementing education
programmes and individual counselling to encourage the integration of youth
into the community, to develop healthy lifestyles and to raise awareness of
the damaging impact of drugs. The programmes could include training of youth
leaders in communication and counselling skills.
78. Government entities, in cooperation with relevant agencies of the United
Nations system, non-governmental organizations, particularly youth
organizations, should cooperate in carrying out demand reduction programmes
for illicit drugs, tobacco and alcohol.
2.
Training medical and paramedical students in the rational
use of pharmaceuticals containing narcotic drugs or
psychotropic substances
79. The World Health Organization, associations of the medical, paramedical
and pharmaceutical professions and pharmaceutical corporations and medical
faculties and institutions could be asked to develop model training courses
and disseminate information material for young medical and paramedical
students on the proper handling of drugs and the early identification and
diagnosis of substance abuse.
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