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Library Substance abuse
“Performance: Using Performance for Substance Abuse Prevention”(UNODC, Global Youth Network) 2009
As part of the project a meeting of youth groups that use performance to combat drug abuse was organized in Puebla, Mexico, from the 11th to the 15th of September, 2000. The aim of the meeting was to synthesize the experiences of the youth groups in order to create a set of guidelines for other youth groups or youth workers who might want to start programmes based on performance or to include performance in on-going programmes. The guidelines included in this publication aim to create a framework of basic principles, requirements and skills needed to use performance as an effective tool for drug abuse prevention. They do not delve into the organizational minutiae of planning and executing a project which are covered in the handbook for new youth groups that is also being produced by the UNDCP. We include testimonials from youth who are part of substance abuse prevention programmes as also some practical tips for creating exciting new projects. These guidelines are meant to be used in conjunction with other detailed materials produced by UN organizations and other organizations across the world, some of which are cited herein.For more information, please visit here
“World Youth Report 2005: Young People Today, and in 2015”(UNPY)
The year 2005 marks ten years since the General Assembly adopted the World Programme of Action for Youth in 1995. This report, an official report to the General Assembly, called for a renewed commitment to the goals of the World Programme of Action, since over 200 million youth were living in poverty, 130 million youth were illiterate, 88 million were unemployed and 10 million young people were living with HIV/AIDS. In the World Youth Report 2005, it is argued that too often, youth policy is driven by negative stereotypes of young people, including delinquency, drug abuse and violence. What seems to be forgotten is that young people are a positive force for development, peace, and democracy.For more information, please visit here
“World Youth Report 2003: Ch.6- Youth and Drugs”(UNPY)
An evidence–based overview of substance use by young people is provided in the beginning of the chapter, drawing on statistical data whenever available and key informants otherwise. The present situation and trends are elaborated and comparative international aspects highlighted, followed by a description of current and best practices in demand reduction programmes and youth participation in those programmes. The World Youth Report 2003 provides an overview of the global situation of young people. The first 10 chapters focus on the priority areas identified by the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY), adopted by the General Assembly in 1995. The remaining five chapters address some of the newer issues that were later identified as additional priorities for youth and were adopted by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2003.For more information, please visit here
“A Participatory Handbook for Youth Drug Abuse Prevention Programmes: A Guide for Development and Improvement”(UNODC, Global Youth Network) 2002
This handbook is mainly the result of a participatory process involving more than 33 youth drug abuse prevention programmes from across the globe. Most of the information presented in this handbook draws on the real-life experiences of youth and adults involved in these programmes. Their concerns, ideas, and creativity are presented here in a publication that we hope will help in the development and/or improvement of drug prevention programmes aimed at youth. Additional information contained in this handbook comes from the experiences of various United Nations Agencies (UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO, UNAIDS, UNFPA) and NGOs that have been working with youth and gained considerable experience. UNODC also wish to acknowledge Health Canada for its handbook on Community Action Resources.To read the handbook, please visit:English/Arabic/French/ Spanish /Chinese/ Russian
"Youth attitudes on drugs: Analytical report" (European Commission) 2012
Drugs and drug-related problems are major concerns for EU citizens and pose a threat to the safety and health of European society and its citizens. The use of drugs, particularly among young people, is at a historically high level. The European Commission has been studying the drug phenomenon in EU Member States for several years. In 2002 and 2004, surveys were conducted among young people in the then 15 EU Member States. In 2008, a survey was conducted among a similar group in the 27 EU Member States. The Report summarizes the findings from the survey to offer an analytical understanding on the topic.
To read the full report click here.
"UNODC Youth Initiative: Discussion Guide," 2012
Exploring perceptions of drug abuse as a whole and people who abuse drugs in particular is an important first step towards the goal of achieving better insight into the reasons for drug abuse, which contributes to the prevention of drug abuse and its consequences among youth. The activities below provide an opportunity to explore some other perceptions about people who abuse drugs and to start to understand why drug abuse can be a manifestation of a deep-seated problem in a person’s life. Getting past the incorrect and harmful stereotypes that society often assigns to people who abuse drugs, it becomes apparent that drug abuse is often not a free choice or a moral question. The reasons why avoiding drugs can contribute to a young person’s achieving a desirable lifestyle in the future will also be explored.
To read the full report click here.