Pubdate: Fri, 20 May 2005 Source: Messenger, The (Georgia) Copyright: 2005 The Messenger Contact: http://www.messenger.com.ge/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3587 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education) ANTI-DRUG SEMINAR IN TBILISI In the hopes that the media will play a "special role in the struggle against drugs," the State Board for Anti-Drug Policy held an anti-drugs seminar for journalists, Black Sea Press reports. "The media should create such an information atmosphere that could make people dislike drug and its usage," Minister of Labor, Health, and Social Protection Lado Chipashvili, attending the conference, said. Speaking at the seminar, which was held in the frames of the Global Fund Project Enhancing National Reaction for Effective HIV/AIDS Prevention, First Lady Sandra Roelofs spoke of the high level of drug addiction not only in Tbilisi but also in the regions. She added that this could be fought only through the joint efforts of state structures, NGOs and the media. The State Board for Anti-Drug Policy was set up three months ago with the aim of drawing up a strategic anti-drug document. The Board works in three directions - assessment of the situation in Georgia regarding drug-abuse, reporting public opinion on the problem, and taking into account the experience of other countries when forming the anti-drug policy. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom