Youth In Focus!! Maria Peglitsi Cyprus Anti Drug Council July 2009

“Adolescence is a time of many conflicting emotions. Childhood has been left behind, the rules have changed, and it can be difficult to find your place in this new world.”

TAKING RISKS is part of your nature, curiosity and experimentation are common and good. They help you to develop a greater understanding of yourself and society. BUT some risk-taking can have long-term consequences for your health, or even put your life in danger. This is at odds with the safe environment that everyone want for youths.

Youth at risk in the centre of our new drug policy!

A Safe, Healthy and Enjoyable Nightlife……………. Where do the youth of today engage in risk taking behavior? The night venues of today are where the youth shape their identity. Escape from routine Meet new people Try new experiences Take new risks such as drug taking

Is there any need for action in the nightlife of youth? Is there any risk taking? “Research studies targeted at young people in the EU who attend dance music events consistently report much higher prevalence of drug use than are found in surveys of the general population.” EMCDDA, 2006

Ensuring safety during nightlife activity Recognize and support needs…… To broaden their social horizons enable them to celebrate their youth facilitating the enhancement of their social experiences Through safer clubbing environment !

What made us focus on achieving a safer nightlife environment? Listening to youth!! A quality research on the subject “Rave party, ravers and the use of psychoactive substances. Result: young persons are not satisfied with the overall perceptions, attitudes and practices of society with regard to nightlife and substance abuse.

Youth are asking for…. ……more objective and reasonable information regarding substance abuse and the possible risks, collaboration of the Police with the organizers of events, first aid services availability and many more that aim to manage the risk of recreational drug use.

The policy response….. New National Drug Strategy  Harm Reduction Pillar Aim: Implementation of the strategic plan for safe nightlife.  Six intervention actions aim to create a safe nightlife and decrease the harm of drug abuse

Let’s take some action ! The interventions

The interventions……. Youth need to be protected by safe clubbing guidelines! Our response  Reinforcement of the Recreational Setting’s Law  example: Availability of free drinking water and ice in every club.

The interventions……. Youth need to be correctly informed!!! Our response  The targeted distribution of objective information material on drugs and related health, legal and psychological issues as well counseling services information.

The interventions……. Youth need appropriate responses in case of health, alcohol and drug related incidents! Our response  Creating an official registry for recreational setting’s security personnel. Training of the recreational setting’s personnel in recognizing substance use related and other health symptoms and provide first aid and/ or call for ambulance. Preparation of information material

The interventions……. Youth need to be approached by professionals in their own nightlife setting! Our response  Outreach work/ interventions! Approaching recreational setting visitors – possible users of psychoactive substances by trained staff.  Harm Reduction Kit  Voluntary Alcohol Test  Free transportation

Outreach work ! At the night clubs……………. At alcohol testing points………….. At First Aid Departments………… At tourist areas of the island………….

Reaching the goal……. Boost young people enjoyment and social experience by providing objective information and professional support to STAY SAFE AND MAKE THEIR OWN HEALTHY CHOICES

Youth can…… …. have their own saying! As to..how they can escape from routine..how they can meet new people..how they can try new experiences By facilitating their access to info as to how to choose their own healthy lifestyle!

Thank you…. and have fun safely!