A contingent of top nurses joining with representatives from 10 universities in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela announced today a move to confront the drug problem by equipping professionals with the latest scientific and technological information, for a comprehensive and human perspective.

The initiative was announced June 29 at the conclusion of the "VI International Meeting of the Latin American Nursing Pilot Project on Healthcare Promotion, Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Reintegration into Society," held at the Organization of American States (OAS) Headquarters in Washington.

David Beall, Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) said the initiative has a multiplier effect. He also commended the nurses of the Americas for confronting this grave social problem.

Supported as well by the governments of Canada, the United States and Japan, the project provides specialized training for some 4,000 nurses. Wrapping up the meeting, the participants reaffirmed the determination of their respective universities to bring introduce innovative study programs and to raise awareness in academia about the need for a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to the drug problem.

The event was organized in keeping with a mandate from the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, Canada, last April.

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