Addiction prevention: the Dianova International Network Joins the United Nations Global Campaign “Listen First”
“Preventing substance abuse is a key target under the Sustainable Development Goals. Despite good intentions however, drug prevention efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs among young people and the general public too often consist of isolated initiatives.”
Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Press Release
Barcelona, 21 June 2017 – To mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26 June, the Dianova International Network has joined the global “Listen First” campaign. The campaign aims to promote science-based initiatives to prevent addiction, while insisting on a very simple concept: at the core of these initiatives lies something we all know how to do, but perhaps spend too little time doing: listening.
The global “Listen First” campaign was launched in New York in April 2016 at a special event during the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on the world drug problem, and it will continue through at least 2017. The campaign is promoted by UNODC, the World Health Organization, the French Inter-Ministerial Mission for Combating Drugs and Addictive Behaviours, and the Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs.
Drug use prevention is an effective investment in the wellbeing of children and youth, families, and whole communities. And we are talking about an investment in the literal sense. Research studies have shown that through these science-based drug prevention strategies, on average, up to 30 times the amount of funds invested can be saved in future health and social care costs.
For more than ten years, the Dianova International network has implemented or joined health promotion and addiction prevention initiatives to raise awareness of the risks associated with addictive behaviours, including licit and illicit substance abuse, and “substance-free” addictions such as compulsive gambling and problematic internet use.
Through the “Listen first” campaign, the Dianova Network would like to provide information and resources tailored to policy and decision makers, parents, teachers, prevention professionals and other health care providers, especially in the countries where the Dianova Network operates, i.e. Canada, Chile, India, Italy, Kenya, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain Sweden, USA, and Uruguay.
From 21 to 26 June, we will invite the public to follow a series of recommendations on prevention policies and practices through various messages and calls to action. We also invite all those interested to disseminate these messages further and share them with parents and friends on their social media and web sites.
More information about the campaign in the Advocacy section and on the social media
About Dianova
Dianova is an international NGO which comprises associations and foundations operating in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. Dianova’s member organizations contribute to the development of individuals, communities and organizations through a variety of programmes and interventions in the social, health and humanitarian sectors.
Main Affiliations
Special consultative status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations(ECOSOC) – Registered civil society organization to the Organization of American States (OAS) – In consultative relationship with UNESCO.
Contact Information
Mrs Montserrat Rafel Herrero, Director-General
Tel. + 34 93 636 57 30
E-mail: montse.rafel@dianova.ngo | Website: www.dianova.ngo
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