Report of the Expert Group on Drug Abuse Reduction

An Expert Group on Drug Abuse Reduction, meeting at Vienna from 6 to 10 September 1982, indicated that effective approaches to the prevention and reduction of drug abuse should be based on an integrated strategy that harmonized a variety of measures and interventions; isolated measures were found to be seldom effective. It was also essential to promote positive alternatives to drug abuse. The full involvement of concerned non-governmental organizations, as well as the mobilization of community resources in programmes on prevention and reduction of drug abuse, held great potential. Information and educational and training programmes should be carefully designed for specific audiences. The training of personnel who could contribute to preventing and reducing drug abuse was most effective when carried out in a working environment and merited continued effort and the deployment of additional resources. All resources for the prevention and reduction of illicit demand for drugs should be allocated in response to identified needs and should aim at realistic targets. The use of these resources and their effects should be evaluated and monitored at all stages of their application.