NCJ Number
132358
Date Published
1989
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews the constitutional basis for drug treatment and prevention in Venezuela and outlines the six main areas of the Organic Law on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances enacted in July 1984. It proceeds to describe the efforts of the Jose Feliz Ribas Foundation, established in November 1986, to develop plans and programs in the fields of treatment, prevention, and scientific research into the unlawful and abusive use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Abstract
The medical/legal justification for the Organic Law in regard to the illicit consumption of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is based on the World Health Organization criterion that consumers are sick people who should be treated as such and not as criminals. The priority at the Jose Feliz Ribas Foundation has been treatment. Secondary prevention is carried out among those who receive treatment and their families and includes parent education and talks to various public and private organizations. In addition to law enforcement strategies intended to realize the limitation of the illicit supply of drugs, the Foundation recognizes the need to undertake a specific prevention strategy designed to reduce demand through primary prevention programs such as public education.