Drugs – Policies and practices
Issue Topic – Why is education important?
C O N T E N T
Introduction
Yes, it is true; some young people do use drugs. It is also true that they start consuming drugs before they become adults. However, another truth is that age in drug use is increasingly dropping in Macedonia, so it is of no surprise that children bellow the age of 12 are becoming users. Strange enough, though, the competent institutions turn a deaf ear to this occurrence and act as if nothing is happening. Nonetheless, the institutions’ ignorance does not solve the problems. On the contrary, problems keep growing and multiplying. Civil society organizations warn in vain on the need for urgent introduction of measures for drug addiction treatment tailored for children and young people. Considering the lack of institutional measures, the only support for children and young people who use drugs is provided by civil society organizations, to the extent allowed by the legislative limitations. It is precisely these legislative limitations that mostly reflect the institutions’ complete disregard for the protection of the mental and physical health of this particular group of children and young people. Harmonizing the laws with their needs will significantly increase the possibilities for introducing protection measures for their mental and physical health. Therefore, we dedicate this issue to the children and young people who use drugs, in hope to make a contribution towards increasing the efforts for their protection.
I Also Have the Right to Treatment and Humane Attitude
Due to the lack of treatment programs, four of the children HOPS’s team had encountered during outreach work passed away as a result of drug use. In addition, HOPS documented 3 cases of children who use drugs, while in some of these cases we undertook specific actions to provide access to treatment, which at the end was not received. Author: Voskre Naumoska – Ilieva
Youth Organization for Drug Action
Youth Organization for Drug Action is a network of organisations and individuals set up in 2011 to meet the needs of young activists and professionals who have been disenfranchised when it comes to determining drug policy, but who are amongst those most affected by drugs and the drug laws. Interview: Jan Stola
Guide for Treatment and Care of Children Who Use Drugs
The Guide is intended, above all, for professionals included in treatment and care of children who use drugs but also aims to give directions in policy creation regarding treatment and care of this group, hence can be used by decision-makers as well. Author: Vlatko Dekov
Support for children who use drugs
Most of the children our outreach team contacts are children from the streets. This is because these are the children that we detect as we see them every day on the city streets begging. I have noticed that they are afraid of professional staff, of institutions and the police, and as painful as it is, from social workers as well. Author: Ivana Shalevska
The Counselling Centre for prevention of drug use and use of other psychoactive substances among high school students in Skopje started work in September 2012. It is only part of the efforts to prevent drug use and use of other psychoactive substances among high school students in Skopje, supported by the City of Skopje and implemented by HERA – Health Education and Research Association. The activities are included in the Local Drugs Strategy of the City of Skopje. Author: Liljana Ignjatova
Most Often Used Psychostimulants
Some of these psychoactive substances can be found in some plants in nature, while with the development of pharmacology towards the end of the 19th century, particularly in the 20th century, new substances were discovered that simulate the CNS. Arguably, some are legally available for sale and used popularly throughout the world, while others are controlled and prohibited (illegal) substances or prescribed by a doctor. Author: Davor Svilanov
The Children Meet the Magician
This is a story of a magician’s triumph to bring happiness into children’s hearts! Of course, if this was a film you would have read the caption “this is a true story” at the beginning. And so, this is a story of children’s joy! Author: Eleonora Chichevska
Ten Year Anniversary of the civil society organization Option from Ohrid
On 8.10.2015, in the conference hall of the Municipality of Ohrid, the civil society organization Option from Ohrid held a meeting with the local decision-makers, a meeting also attended by almost all invited state partner institutions and civil society organizations. It should be noted that on this same day Option celebrated its 10th year anniversary doing active work and implementation of the project “Sustaining low HIV Prevalence in Macedonia” on the territory of Ohrid and Struga, celebrated with a small cocktail party and broadcasted by the media. On this day we decided to reflect on our achievements and we were truly proud. Author: Juliana Nastoska