NCJ Number
134049
Date Published
1991
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A World Health Organization Working Group of experts from 11 Member States of the European Region met to analyze current drug demand reduction policies and practices and to propose a regional action program to foster demand reduction strategies.
Abstract
The Working Group discussed a keynote paper and reviewed demand reduction activities of several countries. The Working Group concluded that a variety of uncoordinated demand reduction activities are in action, but are not systematically used and lack sufficient resources. Based on these conclusions, the Working Group recommended four themes of demand reduction: general principles of demand reduction; demand reduction practices, particularly in areas of drug abuse prevention; improvement of demand reduction in intersectoral action with more funding and better evaluation; and local national and international responsibilities. The Group also advised that a regional action program support national and international efforts through international collaboration at community and national levels and at local levels through development of a checklist of options for action. Development of monitoring and evaluation techniques, promotion of expertise on substance abuse in professionals in various disciplines, and initiation of a group for promotion of policy on demand reduction were also suggested.