The Republican campaign "Belarus Against Drugs and Alcohol" starts today

June 24, Minsk / Olga Shvayko - BELTA. The republican campaign "Belarus Against Drugs and Alcohol" starts today in our country, the Ministry of Health informed a BELTA correspondent. The motto of the campaign, which will run from June 24 to July 7, is "Sober Youth - Strong Belarus." The goal of the event is to prevent alcoholism and drug addiction, related diseases, and to strengthen the promotion of a healthy lifestyle among the population of the republic. During the campaign, hotlines will be available for information on receiving treatment for alcoholism and drug addiction. Consultations can be obtained daily, except for weekends. Hotline phone numbers: Republican Center of the Ministry of Health - 8 (017) 289-88-33, Brest region - 8 (0162) 28 20 51, Vitebsk region - 8 (0212) 48-61-58, Gomel region - 8 (0232) 71 96 32, Grodno region - 8 (0) - 170 (round the clock), Minsk region - 8 (017) 233-55-88, Mogilev region - 8 (0) 28-65-01, Minsk - 8 (017) 345-71-57 and 245-14-01. During these days, various events will also be organized dedicated to the inadmissibility of the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, toxic and other intoxicating substances, alcoholic, low-alcohol beverages and beer by children and youth, as well as the negative health consequences for children and youth of such use, and the prohibition of the use of alcoholic, low-alcohol beverages and beer in public places. Organizers will hold round tables and seminars, with the participation of representatives of healthcare organizations, higher medical educational institutions, culture, sports and tourism, drug control and anti-trafficking prevention departments of internal affairs bodies, public and religious organizations. In addition, educational, health and fitness, and cultural and mass events dedicated to the campaign will be held in educational institutions, health resorts, and extracurricular centers, including discos, quizzes, contests, and exhibitions of drawings and posters, and sports events. Undoubtedly, the basis of the Ministry of Health's activities to prevent harmful alcohol consumption is prevention. First of all, this is informational work: speeches by specialists in the media, participation in the organization and conduct of mass events, as well as providing advisory assistance. Alcoholism Prevention Day, which is celebrated this year on July 8, is another reason to draw public attention to this issue. In our country, narcologists and psychotherapists provide appropriate assistance to people suffering from alcoholism. In addition, more than 50 groups of the public association "Alcoholics Anonymous" operate in the republic. The result of the work carried out by the Ministry of Health with all stakeholders has been a decrease in the number of observed patients and a reduction in the number of deaths. Thus, in 2009, the number of deaths from accidental alcohol poisoning decreased by 7.2%, primarily due to a decrease in the number of deaths among working-age individuals by 7%. Last year, compared to 2008, a decrease in the level of alcohol sales by 2.9% was achieved. The number of crimes committed while intoxicated decreased by 5.5%. Work in this direction continues. Currently, a draft Concept of the State Program for reducing alcohol consumption and mitigating negative consequences for society is being developed. A comprehensive approach, including restrictive, informational and preventive, educational, price and other measures, based on WHO recommendations, will reduce harmful alcohol consumption by the population of the republic.-0-