Healthy Living Introduced to Elementary School Curriculum

30 November 2005

Starting with next school year, the pupils in Montenegro elementary schools will be introduced to a new subject in the Curriculum, called �Healthy lifestyles�. This initiative was launched by Montenegrin organisation for combating HIV/AIDS � CAZAS. Yesterday, CAZAS representatives announced the completion of the first phase of the project �Healthy lifestyles against drug abuse�.

The Project, supported by European Agency for Reconstruction, covers 45 elementary schools with approximately 23,000 pupils. CAZAS representatives emphasize that, after the initial testing is completed, the Project will be replicated in Montenegro secondary schools.

Jelena Mugosa, CAZAS Programme coordinator, said that the project deals with primary prevention of drug abuse in Montenegro. She added that the aim of the project is to reduce drug abuse among youth in Montenegro. It can be achieved through implementation of activities in two fields. The first is work with parents, while the second is through peer-to-peer education in high schools.

CAZAS experts have also prepared a project for psychologists, manual for citizens and a manual for peer-to-peer educators is in the process of preparation. CAZAS held four seminars for psychologists and the second phase of the project will mark the start of peer-to-peer education in high schools. For starters, experts will educate one group of pupils that will later on transfer their knowledge to their peers.

The European Agency for Reconstruction allocated 600.000 Euros in support for the civil sector. CAZAS received 99.980 Euros for the project. EAR spokesperson, Mr. Dragan Mugosa said that EAR supports the civil sector, having in mind the importance of the role it plays in transition processes. He added that CAZAS is a great example how NGO sector can participate in finding solution for serious problems like drugs abuse.