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- What does
"demand reduction" mean?
--> It refers to reducing the market demand for drugs,
that is, aiming to have fewer people using drugs and other substances
of abuse. This can be done partly through education to prevent people
from starting to use drugs, by helping dependent individuals to
recover and end their drug use.
- When you say
"drugs," are you only referring to illegal drugs?
--> Although CICAD originated to deal with trends of
illegal drug trafficking and abuse, Demand Reduction encompasses abuse
of both illicit drugs like cocaine and legal substances such as
alcohol and prescription drugs.
- Where do you
carry out projects?
--> Projects
are executed throughout the 34 OAS member states which span North,
Central, and South America and the Caribbean; each of these national
governments send a representative of their interests to the
semi-annual meetings of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control
Commission. The Commission decides what types of demand reduction
projects are priorities, and then these are carried out by member
states through their National
Drug Commissions, with the administrative and technical
assistance of the Demand Reduction Section of the Executive
Secretariat, based in Washington.
- What are the focus areas for CICAD Demand Reduction programs?
--> Geographically, projects are carried out
throughout the region of the Americas.
--> In terms of content, CICAD Demand Reduction programs
span a wide variety of topics. Some current areas of focus, to mention
a few, would be to improve the professionalization of personnel
working in substance abuse prevention and treatment through education
programs and training workshops, as well as to promote a greater
cooperation between governmental and community-based organizations
which have a role to play in reducing drug abuse according to local
socio-cultural dynamics. Learn more about our projects.
- How can I
learn more?
--> Send an e-mail to the Demand Reduction Unit, or for general information about the Organization of American States,
visit www.oas.org.
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