Political Context

Drug addiction, trafficking in illicit drugs and an alarming increase in HIV infection, mainly related to drug consumption have become issues of great concern to the governments across Europe and pose serious threats to public health, internal and external security and social stability. Prevention, in particular primary and secondary prevention, plays an increasingly important role in demand reduction. The situation in the Russian Federation is of particular importance to the rest of Europe. Regarding the problems related to trafficking (transit) and consumption of illegal drugs as well as the AIDS epidemic the situation in this region has serious implications for the rest of Europe.

Geographical context

The programme will target rural communities and distant cities in the north of the Russian Federation. Most existing programmes reach the urban areas of Russia. The rural areas and the remote cities (particularly in the North) benefit very little from assistance activities, pilot projects and new programmes. However these communities in the Russian Federation account for the greater part of the population. In addition isolated rural and urban communities experience particularly serious situations related to substance abuse.

The Problem

The remoteness and isolation of these communities limits the range of stimulation and incentives available to young people. Consequently, boredom and a lack of concrete future perspectives have led to high levels of substance abuse. At the same time, the administrations and professionals charged with addressing the issue of drug prevention have few possibilities of engaging with outside contacts, since opportunities for communication and co-operation with other professionals or organisations are limited. Thus geographical isolation and remoteness increase the difficulties of preventing drug abuse.

Reference

Heading "Mobilizing Parenting Skills for Drug Prevention" under the Work Programme 2004 - 2006 of the Pompdiou Group' (doc. P-PG/MinConf (2003) 4)

Programme Organiser

Pompidou Group - Council of Europe

For further information please contact:
Thomas Kattau
Demand Reduction Administrator
Pompidou Group
Council of Europe
F-67075 Strasbourg, France

e-mail: thomas.kattau@coe.int