News

27 January 2012

Russian students learn about the dangers of “soft” drugs

On January 25, Health and Development staffers attended an Internet lesson for Russian schoolchildren and high school students on the dangers of “soft” drugs. This event was organized by the Federal Drug Control Service (FSKN) and RIA Novosti, and is the second session on the topic “There are no soft drugs,” part of an anti-drug Internet learning series called “I have the right to know!”

Holding an event of this type enabled the organizers to bring together experts and students from different parts of Russia, and featured movies, short anti-drug clips, commentary from specialists, and real-life stories from those who have suffered because of drug use. Students from Moscow, the Moscow Region, St. Petersburg, and Tomsk had the opportunity to get answers to their questions from experts, and share their opinions and suggestions.

Leading Russian experts were there to refute the myth that so-called soft drugs are harmless and non-addictive.

In the words of Tatyana Tretyakovskaya, a psychologist and representative of the Ministry of Health and Social Development, there is no such term as “soft” drug; narcotic substances are divided into groups based on their composition and effect on the human body. All drugs contain psychoactive substances that can lead to dependence. This dependence can develop differently in different people, but continued drug use after a first experience is only a question of time. “In order to protect yourself against addiction, the most important thing is not to start,” she said.

An adviser to the State Anti-Drug Committee (GAK), Yulia Shevtsova, discussed the potentially lethal dangers of so-called “club drugs” with students.

FSKN and RIA Novosti plan to hold a total of five such events, and a video of the Internet lesson will soon be available on the FSKN website.

Staff from the Health and Development Foundation attended the event as part of our continuing 9-year effort to implement programs in various spheres of public health in Russia, including drug, alcohol, and tobacco prevention, HIV prevention, strengthening reproductive health and lowering the abortion rate, promoting healthy lifestyles among young people and more.

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Share code <h2>Russian students learn about the dangers of “soft” drugs</h2> <p><p>On January 25, Health and Development staffers attended an Internet lesson for Russian schoolchildren and high school students on the dangers of “soft” drugs. This event was organized by the Federal Drug Control Service (FSKN) and RIA Novosti, and is the second session on the topic “There are no soft drugs,” part of an anti-drug Internet learning series called “I have the right to know!” </p> Holding an event of this type enabled the organizers to bring together experts and students from different parts of Russia, and featured movies, short anti-drug clips, commentary from specialists, and real-life stories from those who have suffered because of drug use. Students from Moscow, the Moscow Region, St. Petersburg, and Tomsk had the opportunity to get answers to their questions from experts, and share their opinions and suggestions. </p> <href="http://www.fzr-eng.ru/news/news_257/" target="_blank">More</a>