UNIVERSITIES

Activities in the universities have received greater attention during the latter years due to the increase on drug abuse among university students. This fact may be related with the availability of drugs in the university premises or in the neighborhood, student stress, or inadequate information regarding the risks of using drugs. On the other hand, it is very clear today that trained university agents can be an effective means of transmitting health messages to their peers and their families, exercising an effective and healthy leadership that can be extended to the professional environment.

OBJECTIVES

GENERAL OBJECTIVE

Engage the university community in prevention activities to avoid improper use of psychoactive substances through health promotion strategies to fight drug use.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

· Raise student awareness of the drug problems .
· Training youth promoters to become prevention leaders.
· Training professors to develop health education and promotion activities with the university community.
· Provide technical assistance to organize and implement prevention programs and activities addressed to the community.

BENEFICIARIES

University students, professors and parents.

SCOPE

Nationwide and Internationally

STRATEGIES

The implementation of drug abuse prevention activities in universities requires coordination with the university authorities. The next step is to coordinate with student organizations and incorporate student leaders in the design of prevention campaigns for the universities, and to seek support and advice from the professors or tutors.

Lab practices and on-the-job training are prioritized in the case of Social Science and Health majors. Activities are also coordinated with the Wellbeing Departments and Psycho-pedagogical services at the universities, to obtain greater coverage.

CEDRO is also involved in a number of Bachelor and Master degree programs, related to drugs and violence, both in local and foreign universities.

CEDRO's participation is both in the universities and through on-line programs.

· Master degrees:

1. Latin American On-Line Master Degree Program on Drug Abuse (Maestría Iberoamericana On-line en Drogodependencias).
2. Cayetano Heredia Unversity Master Degree on Drug Abuse
3. Federico Villareal Public University degree on Drug Abuse
4. Catholic University of Peru's degree in Education with a mention in Public Health and Youths.

http://www.unireddrogas.org/Files/02_Info.htm

MATERIALS:

· Handbook for Natural Leaders
· Social Skills Handbook
· Handbook to Promote a Culture of Peace
· On-line course on "Prevention Principles" (On-line Master degree awarded by OAS-CICAD).
· "Public Health and Youth" -Minor degree in Youth Culture and Development - Catholic University of Peru (PUCP).