Zero tolerance of drugs in society

Preventing at all costs the commercialization and consumption of illicit drugs, under the principle of no tolerance in society, are the lines of the Mental Health Program (PSM) in Santiago de Cuba, to prevent and stop this scourge.

Yamilka Rodríguez, head of the PSM in the Health Directorate of the territory, assured that there is an increase in the struggle against this scourge in the face of the commercialization and legalization of drugs in the world, creating a culture of rejection mainly among young people, as an age group more prone to its use.

Although the consumption of these substances is not a health problem due to their low incidence, the practices do reinforce preventive, promotional and educational work with intersectoral participation and active research for diagnosis.

Rodriguez reaffirmed that having identified cases shows that the population should continue to be protected and rehabilitated, in case they become dependent, which is a priority of the health system in Cuba.

The most frequent incidents, among others, are those related to family fragmentation, the amotivation syndrome that appears when the individual breaks his productive ties with society; in addition, they try to accompany sex with drugs, or they find drugs to feel more fun.
To deal with these situations, work has been designed that ranges from the family doctor and nurse’s office to schools, plus the 12 community mental health centers with outpatient or inpatient care, as needed, and service in the adolescent clinic. As a novelty, Alcoholics Anonymous has been institutionalized and integrated into the Ministry of Health.

The doctor also mentioned the information and orientation facilities through the Confidential Anti-Drug Line, which with the telephone number 103 is a free and secret service that operates 24 hours a day in the country with anonymous, specialized attention and regardless of the duration of the call.

During this time of conversation, the person is reassured, dialogued, asked about their age, and talked about the damage it causes to the organism, to those around them, and explained to them what they are going to face when they follow the treatment, while at the same time advising them on the steps to follow.

They are also let know where they are most likely to go, and are given the address and name of the specialist who can take care of them. Of course, counselors are good communicators and are trained.
Luces para la Vida is a project with health promoters in student centers and the community, who are very useful and go first to the family.

Faced with the question of why the so-called fundamental cell of society, Yamilka explained that this is where it is taught that life is a process and that acquiring goods, conquering achievements, prestige and other values is not bought, it is achieved with effort, discipline, commitment. In this, public policies are clear and coherent.

The Ministry of Education has programs for all the teaching level with the purpose of warning about the evils of the use of these compounds and their consequences, but the main thing is not to become addicted, said Magalys Cobas, Bachelor of Physical Culture at the pre-university Rafael María de Mendive, from the eastern city of the same name.

From Physical Education, its use is reduced and prevented with a focus on school, family and community integration since in this phenomenon, adolescents are identified as one of the most vulnerable groups after the search for a greater degree of independence, autonomy and individuality.

In their center, they implement it through inclusive and interactive sports activities, promote physical actions for the healthy use of free time and competitive sport among students, because it is an arduous work that must be systematically executed.

For this reason, the most important thing is for students to know the effects and harmful consequences of drugs on physical, psychic and moral health, as well as the social damages, which is why teachers feel satisfied to be able to help them and that they are receptive to the advice and actions in schools to prevent this social evil.

(Taken from ACN in Spanish)

Written by Radio Grito de Baire