UNDCP promotes programmes aimed at reducing drug abuse among young people and provides technical advice to Member States and NGOs in this area. It cooperates with other UN agencies in developing comprehensive programmes addressing the health and education of youth at risk. UNDCP also collaborates with UN agencies to promote and enhance efforts to reduce drug abuse among young people through preventive actions in school and in the community. A priority is to reach out to vulnerable young people to ensure that they have access to health and social services. Psychological assistance and counselling is given for cases of serious abuse and drug dependency. Preventive care is given to those who are at risk from drug abuse, together with preventive education and training to provide them with significant options and alternatives in their lives. Early intervention tries to tackle the root causes of drug abuse by strengthening the community and the family. UNDCP carries out studies and analysis on demand-reduction measures and strategies that are capable of reaching young people and have some measurable impact on preventing drug abuse among them.

Contact:

Mr. Stefano Berterame
Drug Control Officer
Demand Reduction Section
Policy Development and Methodology Branch
United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP)
United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention
Vienna International Centre
P.O. Box 500, A-1400 Vienna,
Austria

Tel.: (43-1) 21345-5474; Fax: (43-1) 21345-5866

N.B.: Change in late 1998 to:
Tel.: (43-1) 26060-5474; Fax: (43-1) 26060-5866

E-mail: sberterame@undcp.un.or.at