Media Center

Press Release

CICAD AND LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL TO EXPAND SCHOOL-BASED SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

The Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) has formalized a ground-breaking partnership with the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) to conduct school-based drug abuse prevention and life skills education programs in OAS member states using a model developed by LCIF.

The cooperation agreement was signed during an evening ceremony at OAS headquarters on March 31, with remarks by Acting OAS Secretary General Luigi R. Einaudi , CICAD Executive Secretary James F. Mack , and Lions Clubs International President Clement F. Kusiak , in the presence of the Board of Directors of Lions Clubs International, representatives from the diplomatic corps, and other special guests.

Under the agreement, the Lions-Quest program will begin in Belize, Colombia and Paraguay with approval of their education ministries and the assistance of local Lions Clubs members, and will be expanded later to other countries in the region. LCIF and CICAD will divide the initial cost of teaching materials as well as of training the teachers to conduct the program.

Lions-Quest, an evidence-based prevention program already being carried out in several countries, was reviewed by a group of demand reduction experts from CICAD member states, which recommended its inclusion in CICAD’s Hemispheric Guidelines for School-based Substance Abuse Prevention. The CICAD Commission approved the recommendation in December 2004.

The life skills approach employed by Lions-Quest seeks to help young people develop a comprehensive set of emotional and social competencies, such as self-confidence and decision-making ability. The program teaches youth to resist negative peer pressure, manage their emotions, seek healthy friendships and family relationships, and find positive ways of spending free time. In turn, critical thinking and goal-setting components empower students to make their own educated decisions about substance abuse and other risky behaviors. Community service through the local Lions Clubs forms an important part of the program.

In his remarks, Ambassador Einaudi stressed the value of cooperation among international organizations, governments and civil society organizations such as Lions Clubs International, to reach students and families at the local level, where substance abuse problems are the most critical, and where community-based volunteers are most effective. CICAD Executive Secretary Mack emphasized that all member states should aim for national coverage of such life skills programs.

For more information please refer to the CICAD website: www.cicad.oas.org or contact CICAD Demand Reduction Chief Maria Eugenia Pérez-Madrigal, [email protected].

Reference: E-064/05