WFAD 2012 Speakers

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Speakers Spoke at
H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden
will open the forum

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Queen Silvia makes regular visits to national and municipal authorities, as well as schools, universities and other educational institutions, in order to gather information.

She frequently participates in anniversary events, openings of conferences and symposia and other official events. She is engaged in the work of several NGO’s helping underprivileged people around the world.

Official Inaguration
Kjell Adolfsen
Advisor at the unit for social and preventive services, Kristiansand commune, Norway

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Kjell Adolfsen is the advisor at the unit for social and preventive services in the Kristiansand municipality, Norway. Mr. Adolfsen has worked with drug prevention for the past 20 years, and has conducted many studies on students and their drinking habits, in which he based efficient prevention strategies.

The topic of his presentation will be “Mapping the use of alcohol, nicotine and illicit drugs among 15 year olds in Kristiansand municipality from 1994 to 2012 – How is this information used in order to create effective prevention strategies?”

Best Practices in Primary and Secondary Prevention
Olof Beck
Professor, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden

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Olof Beck is professor of analytical toxicology and pharmacology at Karolinska Institute. Prfessor Beck is the director of the pharmacological laboratory and conducts extensive research on the effects of different kinds of addiction of drugs and medicine. He focuses on development of reliable methods to measure new kinds of illegal substances and is currently researching how to use saliva samples to diagnose addiction.

During his presentation, Professor Beck presents a new technique that makes drug testing possible through exhaled air for the first time. A fascinating discovery that will revolutionize drug testing.

Drugs Tests – New Possibilities with New Technologies
Kiran Bedi
PhD, social activist, former Deputy Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau, India

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Kiran Bedi has made herself one of India’s most famous women because of involvement in social activities and police work . She received the woman of the year award in 1981 for her lifelong commitment to equality and justice. Bedi is the founder of numerous indian NGOs concerning crime prevention as well as drug abuse prevention and child welfare. Bedi holds an BA in English and MA in political science as well as an honorary degree of Doctor of Law in recognition of her “humanitarian approach to prison reforms and policing”. Known for her rhetorical skills and motivational speeches. [Read more about Kiran Bedi]

Kiran Bedi influenced several decisions of the Indian Police Service, particularly in the areas of narcotics control and initiated a number of measures such as detoxification programs in prisons. Bedi was the host and judge of a popular Indian TV series called “Your Court”, and in 2008 her story became the feature film, Yes Madam, Sir, which was awarded best documentary.

The topic of her presentation will be “Wholesome Primary Prevention – A successful model-case study from India” – A fascinating topic where Mrs. Bedi describes a model for successful drug prevention, based on her experience as a Chief of Police, Inspector General of Prisons and from several NGO experiences.

Plenary Session
José Mariano Beltrame
Security Secretary, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Mr. José Mariano Beltrame has been a Brazilian Federal Police Officer since 1981 and he has been the Rio de Janeiro Security Secretary since 2007. As a Federal Police Officer, he had worked mainly with Narcotic Enforcement and Police Intelligence, fighting organized crime groups in many federal units. He has been the Chief of the Police Intelligence Agency of the Federal Police Office in Rio de Janeiro and the head of Interpol.

Law Enforcement and Drug Treatment Working Side by Side in Latin America
Gregor Burkhart
MD, Senior Scientific Analyst, EMCDDA, EU

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Gregor Burkhart has, since 1996, been responsible for prevention responses at the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. He developed databases on best practice examples (EDDRA), on evaluation tools (EIB) the Prevention and Evaluation Resource Kit (PERK) and the recently published Prevention Profiles on the EMCDDA websites. [Read more about Gregor Burkhart]

In Europe, Dr Burkhart has documented prevention programming and highlighted outcomes of prevention research trials. Along with his colleagues at the EMCDDA, he has also been instrumental in establishing a Best practice portal which covers prevention. Furthermore, he has been actively involved in the coordination of the EU-Drug Abuse Prevention (EU-Dap) trial to assess the effectiveness of a school-based prevention curriculum, ‘Unplugged’ (now being disseminated across Europe).

Dr Burkhart holds a vision of what effective prevention can do for young people, based on general frameworks that are not country-centric.This vision, along with his commitment to prevention, is evident in his work, earning for him the respect of his colleagues.

About EMCDDA:

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) was established in 1993. Inaugurated in Lisbon in 1995, it is one of the EU’s decentralised agencies.

The EMCDDA exists to provide the EU and its Member States with a factual overview of European drug problems and a solid evidence base to support the drugs debate. Today it offers policymakers the data they need for drawing up informed drug laws and strategies. It also helps professionals and practitioners working in the field pinpoint best practice and new areas of research

  • Plenary Session
  • Preventing Tobacco and Alcohol Use to Prevent Illicit Drug Use
Michael Buscemi
President of Service Learning and Life Skills Network and Senior Advisor to the Lions Clubs International Foundation, USA

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Michael Buscemi is one of the principle architects of the partnership with Lions Clubs International that created the most successful and widely implemented Life Skills and Prevention programs in the world. Mr. Buscemi has been an International champion of positive youth development and primary prevention for 30 + years, and was selected as a participant in the first White House Leadership Conference on Youth, Drug Use and Violence. [Read more about Michael Buscemi]

Mr. Buscemi has served two terms on the National PTA Board of Directors and was selected to serve on the Prudential Spirit of Community Blue Ribbon Advisory Board. He has been a presenter and advisor to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the U.S. State Department Office of the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), as well as the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and assisted the OAS in developing their 5 Year Prevention Strategy. Mike was also a founding member of the Alliance for Service Learning in Education Reform, and a visiting faculty member for the AASA Academy of School Executives.

A former teacher and administrator; Mike has worked with children and families in nearly every setting including emotionally delinquent youth, inner city social work, and drug and alcohol counseling. He has dedicated much of his life to improving the lives of children worldwide. He has keynoted at numerous global conferences on prevention and youth development throughout Asia, India, Africa and Europe.

Mike and his wife Susan are proud and active members of the Thornville, Ohio Lions Club (13-K) and Mike is the proud recipient of the Jim T. Coffey Fellow Award as well as the highest award in Lions, the International Presidents’ coveted Ambassador of Goodwill 2008-2009.

Mike and Susan are the proud parents of 4 children and 7 extraordinary grandchildren. About Lions Clubs:

In 1917, Melvin Jones, a 38-year-old Chicago business leader, told members of his local business club they should reach beyond business issues and address the betterment of their communities and the world. Jones’ group, the Business Circle of Chicago, agreed.

After contacting similar groups around the United States, an organizational meeting was held on June 7, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The new group took the name of one of the invited groups, the “Association of Lions Clubs,” and a national convention was held in Dallas, Texas, USA in October of that year. A constitution, by-laws, objects and a code of ethics were approved.

Within three years, Lions became an international organization. Since then, we’ve earned high marks for both integrity and transparency. We’re a well-run organization with a steady vision, a and clear mission, a long – and proud – history.

Best Practices in Primary and Secondary Prevention
Carmen Fernández Cáceres
Director-General of Centros de Integración Juvenil, A.C. (CIJ), Mexico

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Carmen Fernández Cáceres holds a Master Degree in Family Therapy and a B.A. in Psychology. Currently she is the Director-General of Centros de Integración Juvenil, A.C. (CIJ). Since 2007, is she the Representative for Latin America in the Board of Directors of the International Council on Alcohol and Addictions (ICAA) and she she is the representative of Mexico in the North American Section of the World Federation against Drugs (WFAD). In 2009, she was awarded with the Medal “Leadership Anáhuac in Psychology” in acknowledgment to her distinguished professional career. [Read more about Carmen Fernández Cáceres]

About Centros de Integración Juvenil
Centros de Integración Juvenil, A.C. (CIJ) makes programs and projects of prevention, treatment, social reintegration, research and human resources development (HDR) in the field of addictions for almost 42 years.Through the years, the institution has extended its structure, programs and services based on a shared commitment with the society and a renovated spirit day by day.
Drug Violence in Latin America – NGOs Say “No” to Surrender
Arthur T. Dean
Chairman and CEO of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), USA

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Arthur T. Dean became the Chairman and CEO of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) on August 31, 1998. His responsibilities as Chairman and CEO include providing strategic direction, diversifying and increasing funding, leading the board, being the primary spokesman for the organization and overseeing the operations and personnel of CADCA. [Read more about Arthur T. Dean]

eneral Dean has served as a member of numerous boards to include the Executive Council of the Atlanta Area, Boy Scouts of America; member of the Board of Directors, Washington, DC Project, Enterprise International Development, Inc.; member of the Defense Science Board Human Resources Task Force; the Board of Directors, Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA); member of the National Guard Bureau Advisory Board; and co-chair and member, Advisory Commission, Drug Free Communities (DFC) Support Program, Executive Office of the President and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Advisory Council member. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Advisors for U.S. Army Recruiting Command; chairman of the Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Task Force Training (MCTFT) Advisory Committee; member, Washington, DC and State of New Jersey Prevention Councils; member, Board of Directors, The Madeira School; and Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America Board of Directors, for which he serves as Chairman.

General Dean received his undergraduate degree in history from Morgan State University in 1967 and his master’s degree in management and supervision from Central Michigan University in 1977. He is also a graduate of the Stanford University’s Advanced Management Program and the U.S. Army’s War College.

Community Mobilization to Reduce Drug Use
Carlos Dias
Brazilian Humanitarians in Action, Brazil

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Carlos Dias, Brazilian, 52 years old, married, two children, with University Courses in administration and in law with several specialization courses in human resources, finance, education and policy and strategy.

  • Journalist and Writer.
  • Independent Philosopher.
  • Member of the Brazilian Academy of Philosophy.
  • State Representative in the State of Rio de Janeiro – 1999-2003.
  • Municipal Labor Secretary of the City of Rio de Janeiro – 2001.
  • Member of the State Board of Education of the State of Rio de Janeiro – 2007-2008.
  • Specialist in political analysis and strategy.
  • Lecturer in the areas of public policy – education, work, economic development and in drug prevention.
  • Member of the Association of Graduates of Escola Superior de Guerra – ADESG.
  • Member of the Security Council of the Commercial Association – Rio de Janeiro.
Drug Violence in Latin America – NGOs Say “No” to Surrender
Brian Drew
Co-Chairman of the DATIA International Committee, USA

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Drug Testing in North and South America and its Future Internationally
Robert L. DuPont
MD, President, Institute of Behaviour and Health, USA

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Robert L. DuPont, MD, psychiatrist, has for more than 30 years been a leader in drug abuse prevention and treatment in USA. Among his many contributions he was the first Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and was the second White House Drug Chief. In 1978 Dr. DuPont became the founding president of the Institute for Behaviour and Health, Inc. and in 1982, with his long time colleague, Peter Bensinger, he founded Bensinger, DuPont & Associates. [Read more about Robert L. DuPont]

Dr. DuPont maintains an active psychiatric practice specialising in addiction and anxiety disorders, and has been Clinical Professor at the Georgetown University School of Medicine since 1980. Among Dr. DuPont’s publication we find titles such as: “Getting Tough on Gateway Drugs: A Guide for the Family”, “A Bridge to Recovery: An Introduction to Twelve-Step Programmes” (Written with John P. McGovern, MD) and “The Selfish Brain: Learning from Addiction”.
  • Grand Finale
  • Official Inaguration
  • Harm Reduction vs. Recovery – Conflicting Goals for Prevention and Treatment
Maik Dünnbier
Political Officer, Active, Germany

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Maik Dünnbier, 27, German, lives in Stockholm where he works as Political Officer for the European youth organisation Active – sobriety, friendship and peace.

He did Civil Service in a Primary School in Germany (2004 – 2005), where I took care of children with special needs. Since then he is familiar with the situation and needs of children from families with alcohol addicted parents. [Read more about Maik Dünnbier]

After having studied Political Science and Philosophy two terms, in 2006, he went to Sweden, to do European Voluntary Service (EVS) in the Active-office. For another year (2006 – 2007) he organised international seminars for inclusion of vulnerable children and young people from and organised local activities to offer more possibilities for youth to spend their leisure time in free and safe environments. After the EVS he increased his voluntary work for this cause and got more engaged in the political advocacy aspect of it, while he continued to attend university courses on Political Science, Economics and Philosophy. Since fall 2010, he works as Political officer for Active to empower vulnerable children and young people, and to advocate for better conditions for growing up in Europe.
Meaningless or meaningFULL – why a better leisure life and youth culture matter for drug prevention
Linda Engström
Chair, Youth Sobriety Alliance, Sweden

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Linda Engström, 26 lives in Stockholm and is president for UNF, the Swedish Youth Temperance Association since 2011.

Linda has been involved in the temperance movement since she was 13 years old. During the years she has been in different local boards and responsible for activities for young people. 2007 she went to Tanzania for 5 months as a volunteer and after that she became a board member in the national board of UNF. [Read more about Linda Engström]

After secondary school she studied 3 years at university, with gender studies and global studies as her main subjects. 2009 she got elected as vice president for UNF and since then she has been doing it fulltime for UNF.

Now she is mainly focusing on alcohol politics in UNF with the goal of creating more drugfree environments for young people.

Meaningless or meaningFULL – why a better leisure life and youth culture matter for drug prevention
Erika Karel Boyanovich Gargurevich
Psychologist, CEDRO, Peru

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Erika Karel Boyanovich Gargurevich is responsible of the technical assistance to community projects on prevention and drug abuse treatment, with experience in zones related to drug trafficking and drug production in the Peruvian jungle. She has experience working with adolescents and community leaders, associations and community organizations. With experience on evaluation, diagnostic and therapy with drug users and other problems that involve mental health for teenagers, adults and family. [Read more about Erika Karel Boyanovich Gargurevich]

Professional experience

CEDRO, 2008 – now

She is the specialist in the Project “Promoting Healthy Communities free from drugs. Community Antidrug Coalitions of Tingo Maria (Peruvian jungle). She offers technical assistance to the Community Coalitions Anti drugs. She coordinates the actions with the Regional Governments, Health and Educational Direction, DEVIDA, Local Governments and multisectoral Committees. She participates on the training, monitoring and technical advice in healthy living styles, social abilities, community political incidence, changing the environments and Entrepreneurship to the Community Antidrug Coalitions and groups of youth.

Trained and experienced in Clinical Psychology, specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, has organized courses and workshops in the field of health and addictions to private and state institutions in the area of Tingo Maria (Region of Huanuco, Peru) and Lima.

Worked in the “Listening Place” (psychological counseling in drug prevention and intervention from CEDRO), as an addictions counselor, providing psychological consultation in cases of drug use in adolescents, young adults and their families. Also provided telephone counseling via e-mail and chat on the issue of drug use to the general public. Participated in the organization and presentation on prevention courses in the field of health and addictions.

Participated in promotional and preventive actions under the program “Health Promotion and Prevention Risk Behavior in Adolescents and young” in Orcopampa area in Arequipa, where CEDRO developed partnership with private organizations such as Buenaventura Mining Corp

  • Grand Finale
  • Shared Responsibility, Save the Rainforest!
Beate Hammond
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UN

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Beate Hammond is a program expert on synthetic drugs at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime where she manages the Global Synthetic Monitoring: Analyses Reporting and Trends (SMART) Program. The Global SMART Program aims at improving the understanding of illicit synthetic drugs globally and to provide the international community with an evidence base for effective responses to address this important challenge.

Ms. Hammond has been serving the United Nations for more than 15 years in different capacities, including in the Secretariat of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). A national of Germany, Ms. Hammond obtained a Master of Business Administration and International Management from the University of Ottawa, Canada.

Drugs trends in Asia and the response – Sri Lanka, Thailand and The SMART Program
Lars Hansson
Expert on narcotics, Swedish Customs Service, Sweden

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Photo: Swedish Customs Administration.

Mr. Lars Hansson, has been working with drug cases in various capacities in the Swedish Customs Administration since 1975. Since 1990, he has been a customs drug information officer. Currently, he is he National Customs Expert on drugs and Customs representative to various national inter-agency networks. He served as an expert to the Government Committee on drug control, which drafted the Swedish Act (2011:111) on destruction of certain substances of abuse hazardous to health.

New Synthetic Drugs Challenge Prevention and Law Making – Can We Keep up?
Gunnar Hermansson
Journalist and former police officer, Sweden

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Gunnar Hermansson is a Journalist and former Chief detective inspector at the Swedish National Police Force. As a police officer, and lately as the editor for Swedish Narcotics Officers Association’s magazine, Mr. Hermansson has been following the development of the peddling of illegal or unethical internet drugs and pharmaceuticals for several years.
Emerging Trends of Novel Synthetic Drugs of Abuse and Prescription Drugs – How Dangerous are They?
Eduardo Hernández-Alarcón
Deputy Director for Dissemination and Coalition Relations for the National Community Anti-Drug Coalition Institute, USA

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Dr. Hernández-Alarcón is the Vice President for International Programs and Deputy Director for Dissemination and Coalition Relations for the National Community Anti-Drug Coalition Institute. As the Vice-President for International Programs he is charge of CADCA’s work in selected foreign countries to build anti-drug coalitions to help communities develop population-level strategies to reduce substance abuse.

He personally has worked in Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico and South Africa. As the Deputy Director of Dissemination and Coalition Relations he oversees a variety of key initiatives at the National Coalition Institute. [Read more about Eduardo Hernández-Alarcón]

He has managed the development of all of its publications, including the popular primer series which focuses upon all of the elements of the Strategic Prevention Framework. His division also includes the Ambassador Program, designed to assist young coalition prevention professionals develop their leadership skills.

Dr. Hernández has been a substance abuse prevention leader at the local, state, and national level for over almost two decades. He entered the field as a volunteer concerned about the alarming rise of alcohol-related problems among Latinos, particularly youth. He then served as the Director of the Multicultural Community Partnership in Santa Barbara California, founded with a grant from the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). He subsequently served as the Project Director of CalPartners statewide coalition, also funded by CSAP and headquartered in Sacramento. In 1997, the California County Alcohol and Drug Directors Association named CalPartners “Prevention Organization of the Year.”

Dr. Hernández-Alarcón completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Community Mobilization to Reduce Drug Use
Björn Hibell
Chair of the Steering Committee, the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Drugs, ESPAD, Sweden

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Measuring the Drug Problem – Is It Getting Better or Worse?
Peter Hultén
Licensed pharmacist at the Swedish Poisons Information Centre, Sweden

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Peter Hultén is working at the Swedish Poisons Information Centre as a licensed pharmacist and expert in drugs of abuse, especially new psychoactive substances. Peter is also a member of the Swedish branch of the “Network of the Actual Drug situation In Scandinavia” (NADIS), an expert group advising governmental bodies relating to trends and risks regarding new drugs of abuse. [Read more about Peter Hultén]

He is the General Secretary of the EAPCCT (European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists), an association organising an annual international congress in Europe dealing with clinical toxicology and poisonings, and where in recent years novel synthetic drugs of abuse has become frequently recurring.
Emerging Trends of Novel Synthetic Drugs of Abuse and Prescription Drugs – How Dangerous are They?
Viktor Ivanov
Director, Federal Narcotic Service of Russia

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Mr. Ivanov is a Director of Russia’s Federal Service for the Control of Narcotics and a Chairman of State Anti-Narcotics Сommittee, the equivalent to the US drug czar. Mr Ivanov is a former KGB officer.

Plenary Session
Gus Jaspert
Head of the Drugs and Alcohol Unit, UK

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Gus Jaspert is the Deputy Director at the Home Office leading the UK’s strategies on both drugs and alcohol. Gus has worked in numerous roles in Government – including in the Home Office heading policy on local policing and crime and justice reform strategies; in the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit leading on policing and re-offending; and the Cabinet Office, working on families at risk of exclusion. Prior to this Gus started his career and spent a number of years in different roles in children’s services in a local authority.
Plenary Session
Anna König Jerlmyr
Deputy Mayor for Social Affairs, Stockholm, Sweden

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Official Inaguration
Marcos Kac
General Attorney, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Law Enforcement and Drug Treatment Working Side by Side in Latin America
Lennart Karlsson
Detective Sergeant at Stockholm County police, Sweden

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Lennart Karlsson is a Detective Sergeant at Stockholm County police. In charge of coordinating drug-units in City police district. Mr. Karlsson has worked as a narcotics police officer since 1994. [Read more about Lennart Karlsson]

Lennart Karlsson hails from a small town in the north of Sweden. Mr. Karlsson describes this town as being built on strong values such as justice and equality, a place where one believed in every individual’s rights, as well as responsibility. He is s a police officer who firmly believes that the only way towards a society free from drugs is by focusing on exactly individuals. That we must assure that each and every individual should be able to live a life free of drugs. The police constitutes an important part towards this goal, by finding and halting drugs and the abuse of drugs at an early stage.
Drugs Tests – New Possibilities with New Technologies
Christer Karlsson
Co-Founder of K.R.I.S (Criminals Return Into Society), Sweden

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Christer Karlsson co-founded of KRIS (Criminals Return Into Society) in 1997. By that time had mr. Karlsson spent over 30 years in prisons and correctional facilities. Fresh out of prison for his last sentence and tired from this kind of lifestyle did he get the idea of KRIS, an organization for people like himself. Despite the lack of trust in the authorities was he determined change his life. Together with a couple of friends, like himself, determined to change their lives, was the foundations of KRIS established in 1997. 15 years later is KRIS an important factor helping ex-criminals back into descent lives after prison.

Out of Treatment and Out of Prison – The Importance of a Sober Place to Live
R. Gil Kerlikowske
Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, USA

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R. Gil Kerlikowske has been tapped by US President Barack Obama to head the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), a cabinet-level position that is usually referred to as Drug Czar. [Read more about R. Gil Kerlikowske]

Mr. Kerlikowske brings nearly four decades of law enforcement and drug policy experience to the position, most recently serving nine years as the Chief of Police for the Seattle Police Department. When he left, crime in Seattle was at its lowest point in 40 years. In his previous positions Mr. Kerlikowske strongly supported community oriented policing services, which promote partnerships and problem-solving techniques to address conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, drugs, and social disorder.

In addition to his broad background in Federal, State, and local law enforcement, Mr. Kerlikowske served as chair of the board of directors of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, a national organization focused on how to prevent youth from becoming criminals.

Mr. Kerlikowske holds a B.A. and M.A. in criminal justice from the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Plenary Session
Patricio Labatut
Co-Chairman of the DATIA International Committee, Chile

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Patricio Labatut is the co-founder and Executive Director of Global Partners, a national firm that specializes in implementing Drug Free Workplace Programs (DFWP) at South American countries which include A&D policy, legal aspects, workshops, and drug testing.

Mr. Labatut currently serves as a member of the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA) Board of Directors. Besides he is Chairman of the International Committee of DATIA. He also served as Vice President of consulting companies and Manager for foreign investments and insurance instruments in Citibank, Santander Bank, among others. [Read more about Patricio Labatut]

About DATIA

DATIA was founded in 1995 and was previously called the National Association of Collection Sites. It primarily represents the entire drug testing industry in Washington DC and to date has 1300 members including laboratories, TPAs, testing equipment producers and manufacturers, collection sites and MROs. The missions of DATIA evolve on four things. First, it wants to become the representation of the Washington, DC drug and alcohol testing industry when it comes to regulatory and legislative issues. Second, it endeavors to expand the market for drug and alcohol testing. Third, DATIA provides its members with necessary information and pertinent resources that will benefit their existing operations. Lastly, it also gears to promote the highest possible industry standards.

Drug Testing in North and South America and its Future Internationally
Maria Larsson
Minister for Children and the Elderly, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, Sweden

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Photo: Johan Ödmann.

Maria Larsson is a Swedish politician and a trained schoolteacher. Minister Larsson is currently Minister for Children and the Elderly Maria Larsson is responsible for social services which includes alcohol, narcotics, doping and tobacco in addition to elderly care, individual and family care, and support measures to people with disabilities. The Government’s child rights policies are also within her responsibility and they aim to apply and strengthen the rights and interests of the child in society, based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Official Inaguration
Håkan Leifman
Director, The Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs – CAN, Sweden

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Measuring the Drug Problem – Is It Getting Better or Worse?
Thomas Lundqvist
PhD & Clinical Psychologist, Drug Addiction Treatment Centre, Lund Sweden

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Thomas Lundqvist, Associate Professor at University of Lund, Sweden has treated abusers of cannabis at the Drug Addiction Treatment Centre in Lund for over than 30 years. The Drug Addiction Treatment Centre is a policlinic for drug abusers who counsels and treats people with drug addiction problems.

Psychosocial treatment of cannabis disorders
Bertha Madras
Professor of psychobiology, Harvard Medical School, USA

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Bertha Madras, PhD, Professor of Psychobiology, Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School (faculty since 1986), and Associate Director for Public Education in the Division on Addictions. She served as Deputy Director, Demand Reduction in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), following unanimous Senate confirmation (2006-2008). She advocated for a public health approach to prevent, intervene and treat illicit and prescription drug abuse. [Read more about Bertha Madras]

As a neuroscientist, Dr. Madras investigated brain responses to addictive drugs and developed new brain imaging agents and therapeutics for neuropsychiatric disorders. Author of over 130 scientific manuscripts, she co-edited a book “The Cell Biology of Addiction”. She received an NIH MERIT award, NIDA Public Service Award, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry Founders Award, and 19 patents with collaborators.

Dr. Madras directed the creation of a NIDA-sponsored Museum exhibit, a CD (licensed by the Disney Corp. in 2006) and a play at the Museum of Science, Boston titled “Changing your Mind: Drugs in the Brain”. Dr Madras has served on numerous government committees and other advisory boards.

  • Plenary Session
  • Drug Effects in The Adolescent Brain: Preventing Youth Drug Use Is A Global Imperative
David Martin
PhD, Chairman Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association, DATIA, USA

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Dr. Martin currently is Chairman of the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA), the largest drug and alcohol testing industry association in the world. He has been has been involved with health and drug issues in the US and internationally for over 30 years, and has been instrumental in the development of research technologies in the area of substance abuse detection and treatment. He founded one of the first clinical laboratories to specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric and substance abuse disorders. Dr Martin has served as Anti-Doping administrator for several international sports tournaments, such as Davis Cup, Wimbledon, Grand Slam and professional motor sports. [Read more about David Martin]

About Drug and AlcoholTesting Industry Association
The Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA) was founded in 1995 and has grown to be the largest and most influential association for the industry. DATIA represents the entire spectrum of drug and alcohol testing providers including: collection sites, laboratories, consortiums, third party administrators, medical review officers, employers, substance abuse professionals, and equipment manufacturers. DATIA’s goals are to represent the drug and alcohol testing industry in Washington, DC on key legislative and regulatory issues, to expand drug and alcohol testing, to provide members with vital industry information, resources and benefits important to their operations, and to promote the highest possible standards for the industry.
Drug Testing in North and South America and its Future Internationally
Aurélie Mayet
MD, Paris Sud University, France

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Dr. Aurélie Mayet received her Medical doctor degree from Bordeaux University, France and has been heavily involved in issues concering public health, Epidemiology and Study of substance use trajectories among adolescents and young adults. Dr. Mayet has served as a Military general practitioner in an infantry platoon as well as been an Epidemiologist at the French military centre for epidemiology and public health.

Dr. Mayet has conducted a study which confirms the influence of cannabis as a gateway to other illicit drugs.

  • Cannabis – Is The Future More or Less Use?
  • Preventing Tobacco and Alcohol Use to Prevent Illicit Drug Use
Neil McKeganey
PhD, Founder of Centre for Drug Misuse Research at the University of Glasgow, Scotland

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Neil McKeganey is the founding director of the Centre for Drug Misuse Research at the University of Glasgow which he directed from 1994 to 2011. He now runs the Centre as an independent research group undertaking studies in a wide range of areas related to the use of illegal drugs drugs. [Read more about Neil McKeganey]

He has written over 150 academic articles and is the author of “Controversies in Drugs Policy and Practice” (Palgrave 2011). He is a sociologist by training and has undertaken research himself in such areas as the evaluation of drug treatment services, the nature and impact of drug policy, young people and illegal drugs, the impact of parental drug use on children, the link between drugs, crime and prostitution and the impact of drug enforcement activities. Neil is a sociologist by training and has conducted studies into the link between drugs and prostitution, the effectiveness of drug treatment services, the nature and impact of drug policy in the UK and the effectiveness of drug enforcement approaches. He is a member of the International Task Force for Strategic Drug Policy. He is a member of the editorial boards of AIDS Care and the Drugs Education Prevention and Policy journal and a past editorial board member of the journal “Addiction” and “Drug and Alcohol Dependence”. Neil’s latest books are Controversies in Drugs Policy and Practice and the “A to Z of Addiction”, Palgrave 2012
Harm Reduction vs. Recovery – Conflicting Goals for Prevention and Treatment
Paul Molloy
CEO and Co-Founder of Oxford House, USA

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Paul Molloy is the CEO and Co-Founder of Oxford House, Inc. (OHI), the non-profit, tax-exempt organization that charters Oxford Houses. Mr. Molloy currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers; Bladensburg and Baltimore MD. Previously he served on the boards of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) and VISION, a model program in Silver Spring, MD providing intervention and training for homeless individuals.

During his presentation, Paul Molloy will describe the Oxford House system that supports over 1,500 self-run, self-supported homes offering long-term recovery from alcoholism, drug addiction and co-occurring mental illness. [Read more about Paul Molloy]

Oxford Houses
Oxford Houses are self-run, self-supported recovery houses for individuals recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction operating under the “Oxford House Model”, a community-based approach to addiction treatment, which attempts to provide an independent, supportive, and sober living environment. Charters are available to groups of at least six recovering individuals of the same gender who agree to comply with three basic conditions: be a democratically self-run group following the Oxford House Manual©; be financially self-supporting and pay its bills on time; and take action to immediately expel any resident who returns to drinking alcohol or using drugs. Oxford House now supports an international group of more than 1,500 Oxford Houses located in 460 different cities located in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Ghana, England, Canada and Australia.
Out of Treatment and Out of Prison – The Importance of a Sober Place to Live
Jesse Perera
Senior Trainer, Sri Lanka Mithuru Mithuro Movement, Sri Lanka

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Mr Jesse Perera is a certified life coach providing skills development training for youth, drug addicts and other addicts. He has been in the drug rehabilitation and youth Development field for 12 years, providing trainings in Life skills, Leadership and Prevention among other things. Mr Perera is also a member of the International Coaches Community, which keep updates about the latest tools and methods in training. [Read more about Jesse Perera]

About the Mithuru Mithuro Movement

“Mithuru Mithuro” which means “Compassionate Friends” was initiated in 1984 and was registered under government ordnance as an NGO in 1993 to provide assistance and support to the rural communities and its youth in particular. The actual reforming and rehabilitation of youth began back in 1987 with the youth offenders being directed by the judiciary to Ven. K. Bodhananda of Mithuru Mithuro & is the first ever of its nature in Sri Lanka.Prevention programs became an integral part of the ongoing treatment program.

The Mithuru Mithuro Movement, which began with one center at it’s inception in 1994 has expanded its activities up-to 10 centers in three districts in the island. Rev. Bodhi has separate programmes for residents in different stages of rehabilitation. The 10 centers together have a total of over 800 residents in various stages of rehabilitation.

Out of Treatment and Out of Prison – The Importance of a Sober Place to Live
Michel Perron
Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, Canada

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Michel Perron was re-appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) for a third, five-year term by the Governor in Council of Canada in November 2007. For more than 12 years, Mr. Perron has passionately championed a national and collaborative approach to prevent and address the impacts of substance abuse. [Read more about Michel Perron]

Working with all levels of government as well as the not-for-profit and private sectors, CCSA has successfully led many first-ever national initiatives for Canada, including an overarching national action plan on substance abuse, a national alcohol strategy, a national workforce strategy for professionals working in the field, and a national youth drug prevention strategy. These strategies represent new ways of thinking and working together to deliver practical and tangible results for Canadians.

On the international stage, Mr. Perron is Chair of the Vienna Non-Governmental Organization Committee on Drugs (VNGOC), which serves as the primary link between NGOs and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. He also led the Beyond 2008 initiative—developed by NGOs from more than 115 countries, it represents the most comprehensive, consensus-based declaration and recommendations on global drug policy matters. Today, VNGOC’s work guides and forges new alliances between NGOs, member states and the United Nations to enable countries to find new ways to reduce the impacts and harms associated with substance abuse.

Prior to his appointment with CCSA, Mr. Perron held a number of positions in the federal government with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, Health Canada and the Office of the Solicitor General. Mr. Perron is a graduate of the University of Winnipeg and the Harvard Business School. He has been married to his wife, Kim, more than 25 years and they have two children, Samantha and Alex.

Cannabis – Is The Future More or Less Use?
Victoria Persson
Public Prosecutor, Public Prosecution Office, Stockholm, Sweden

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New Synthetic Drugs Challenge Prevention and Law Making – Can We Keep up?
Piero Ponce
The Information and Education Center for the Prevention of Drug Abuse (CEDRO), Peru

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Mr. Piero holds a degree in Economics with specialization on Global Management and vast international experience for 6 years, by analyzing and managing initiatives that promote cooperation among groups from different cultural background and activating leadership skills in youth worldwide. [Read more about Piero Ponce]

His life has been fortunately matched with his biggest passion: meeting cultures by traveling. Borned in Lima, Peru, his academic and professional actions took him to visit all continents. Because of this, he learned several languages and started working in the field of rural development. He currently lives in the city of Ayacucho and works as Director for Proyects & Research at the Regional Chamber of Tourism in Ayacucho
Drug Violence in Latin America – NGOs Say “No” to Surrender
Roberto Tarazona Ponte
Dr., Director of Caritas del Peru’s National Drugs and First Aid Program, the Vatican

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Roberto H. Tarazona Ponte is the current director of Caritas del Peru’s National Drugs and First Aid Program (the church’s humanitarian and social development agency), in addition to being a deacon, surgeon with a Masters Degree in Public Health, as well as being a University professor in clinical bioethics. Mr. Tarazona Ponte has much experience in education and social causes such as addiction and support programs for children living in the streets.
Plenary Session
Giovanni Serpelloni
Head of Department for anti drug policies, Italy

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Giovanni Serpelloni is a physician and surgeon, currently the head of Italian Department for anti drug policies. He has been the Scientific Director of the Drug Addiction Training Plan of the Veneto Region, since 1998. Mr Serpelloni is one of the implementers of random drug testing of clinical staff in Italy.

Plenary Session
Jón Sigfússon
Director of Youth in Europe, Director of the Icelandic Centre of Social Research and Analysis, Reykjavik University, Iceland

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Jón Sigfússon holds a Master of Public Health and Education from the University of Reykjavik, Iceland. Mr. Sigfússon is the current director of Youth in Europe, an international drug prevention project. He has published and lectured extensively “Evidence based policymaking in the field of drug prevention” and “Adolescence Substance Abuse Prevention”. [Read more about Jón Sigfússon]

About Youth in Europe
Youth in Europe is an international 5 year drug prevention project, initiated by the Pan-European Cities against drugs organisation, ECAD in 2005, in cooperation with European Cities. The project was then extended for a further 5 years in 2011. The goal of the project is to compare strategies and seek best practices in drug prevention in order to provide a valuable source of information for all those who are involved in the ongoing task of protecting young people from the injurious effects of drugs.
Best Practices in Primary and Secondary Prevention
Lars-Olov Sjöström
PhD, Traffic Safety Manager, Abstaining Motorists’ Association (MHF), Sweden

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Lars Olov Sjöström is the Traffic Safety Manager at the Swedish Abstaining Motorists´Association (MHF). Mr. Sjöström also directs the quality system in MHF International Road Safety Test Lab, where alcohol interlocks and alcohol meters are tested against international standards. Lars Olov Sjöström has a background as a teacher, education administrator, musician and ethnologist (PhD).

In 2004 Lars-Olov Sjöström took a year leave from his work at MHF to work directly with a government investigation on alcolocks, started under the previous Minister of Infrastructure in Sweden, Ulrica Messing. He has written reports and articles on drunk driving and drugs in traffic.

Drugs Tests – New Possibilities with New Technologies
Naret Songkrawsook
CLANPO, Thailand

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Drugs trends in Asia and the response – Sri Lanka, Thailand and The SMART Program
Julio Everardo Sotelo
MD, President of Centros de Integración Juvenil, Mexico

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Grand Finale
Kristina Sperkova
Secretary General, Active, Slovakia

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Kristina Sperkova comes from Slovakia and have lived in Sweden since september 2004 when she started working in the Active office as EVS volunteer. After her EVS year finished and she graduated the University, she got employed and stayed in the Active office in Sweden. She has been Secretary General since summer 2007. [Read more about Kristina Sperkova]

Active is European youth organisation pointing on problems of society like discriminations, intolerance and passivity and in addition to that, it is the only youth organisation in Europe, promoting alcohol free life-style among youth.
Meaningless or meaningFULL – why a better leisure life and youth culture matter for drug prevention
Roxana Stere
PhD student, SNSPA University, Romania

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Roxana Stere is a Romanian PhD student of international relations at the SNSPA University in Bucharest, after having earlier obtained a Masters degree in political PR at the same department. Ms Stere has also produced children’s TV shows for Fast Productions SRL in Bucharest.

Children Have the Right to be Protected from Illicit Drugs
Pubudu Sumanasekara
Adic SL, Sri Lanka

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Drugs trends in Asia and the response – Sri Lanka, Thailand and The SMART Program
Saul Takahashi
Human Rights Lawyer, Japan

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Children Have the Right to be Protected from Illicit Drugs
Susan R. Thau
Public Policy Consultant representing Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), USA

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Sue Thau brings over 30 years of federal, state and international policy development experience to the substance abuse prevention and treatment field. She has an extensive background in legislative, budgetary and regulatory analysis, through her work at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) during the Carter, Reagan and George H.W. Bush Administrations. [Read more about Susan R. Thau]

For the past 19 years, Sue has been a private consultant, specializing in policy issues related to substance abuse prevention and treatment. Her major client has been Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA). Sue has extensive expertise in the development and implementation of major national and grassroots advocacy campaigns and is nationally recognized for her legislative accomplishments on behalf of the prevention and treatment fields. Sue has been involved as an expert advisor to the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, as co-chair of a working group to develop a National Treatment Plan and to the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, on the development of the National Prevention System.

Sue’s work has been instrumental in increasing and restoring funding for a host of federal programs and agencies including: the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities program, the Centers for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Guard’s Counter Drug program, the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Demand Reduction program and the State Department’s Demand Reduction program. Sue played a major role in the passage, re authorization and full funding of the Drug Free Communities Act program.

Sue received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Cornell University (1972) and a Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) from Rutgers University, with high honors (1975).

Community Mobilization to Reduce Drug Use
Yvonne Thunell
Chairman, the Mentor Foundation, Sweden

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Ms. Yvonne Thunell is Chairman of Mentor Foundation International. Mentor Foundation International is a non-profit organization founded by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, working with global drug abuse prevention programs for youth. Ms. Thunell is also Chairman for Mentor Foundation USA. Mentor Foundation is a leading international NGO active with national chapters in Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, UK, USA and Colombia. Mentor Foundation also has a regional chapter in Lebanon serving 22 Arab countries. [Read more about Yvonne Thunell]

She served for 5 years on the Board of Directors for A Non-Smoking Generation, a Swedish non-profit organization working with tobacco prevention. She has also served as Board Director for several youth and educational non-profit organizations in Sweden.

Ms. Thunell holds a Bachelor’s Degree In Business Administration from Stockholm University and studied in the Masters Program at The Alfred P. Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. Ms. Thunell lives in Washington, D.C.

About the Mentor Foundation:
Mentor Foundation is the leading international non-government organization working globally to prevent substance abuse. We empower children and young people to make healthy decisions and to avoid drug abuse. We support donors/companies in doing good for children and young people.

Together with on the ground organizations we make prevention effective and visible by targeting children and young people and those around them, as well as policy makers and practitioners working in prevention around the world. Our aim is to identify, undertake, support and disseminate best and promising practice in prevention. Our project work reflects this and our focus upon training others to be the best they can in prevention spreads this quality standard around the world.

Mentor’s work is delivered to children through schools, youth clubs and other places children meet; to parents and caregivers in their community; through those grass roots organisations; and through its work with partners in the business sector, governments and non-government agencies. We work through our international office in the UK; national offices in Colombia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, UK and USA and a regional office in Lebanon which serves the 22 Arab League countries.

The Mentor Foundation was established in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1994 in Geneva as an independent, non-governmental, not for profit, apolitical organization, working in the field of drug abuse prevention at a global level.

Grand Finale
Christian Thurstone
MD, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, USA

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Cannabis – Is The Future More or Less Use?
Alejandro Vassilaqui
Executive Director of CEDRO, Peru

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Alejandro Vassilaqui is the Executive Director of CEDRO (Center of Information and Education for Drug Abuse Prevention)

Mr. Vassilaqui holds a Masters Degree in Social Science and has served as a Professor of Latin American Politics for the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, as well as a Professor of Group Work at the University of San Marcos. [Read more about Alejandro Vassilaqui]

He also serves as a board member for the Fullbright Commission, member of the Advisory Group of the Inter American Development Bank (BID), Lion’s Quest board member and board member of the Drug Free America Foundation.

Mr. Vassilaqui is a fluent speaker of several languages, including Spanish and English. He has received numerous awards and is recognized the world over as an expert in drug demand reduction work with youth and communities.

Shared Responsibility, Save the Rainforest!
Aurelijus Veryga
Professor Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Lithuania

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Dr. Aurelijus Veryga is a Medical Doctor, Psychiatrist and the president of the Lithuanian National Tobacco and Alcohol Control Coalition. He earned his PhD in Public health at the Kaunas University of Medicine where he also has been a teacher. Dr. Veryga has been involved in health issues regarding Alcohol and Drugs, as well as there treatment.

Preventing Tobacco and Alcohol Use to Prevent Illicit Drug Use
Sara Wall
Drug expert at The Swedish National Institute of Public Health, Sweden

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Photo: Nettan Oliw, FHI.

Ms. Sara Wall, M.Sc., is a drug expert at the Swedish National Institute on Public Health. She works with monitoring and analysis of new drugs for submitting formal proposals to Government for classification as narcotic drugs or substances hazardous to health, and for the application of the Swedish Act (2011:111) on destruction of certain substances of abuse hazardous to health. She is also involved in the reporting of new drugs within the European Early Warning System (EMCDDA).

New Synthetic Drugs Challenge Prevention and Law Making – Can We Keep up?
Salómon Chertorivski Woldenberg
Secretary of Health, Mexico

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Salomón Chertorivski Woldenberg was appointed Health Secretary in 2011 by the Mexican president Felipe Calderón. He holds a B.A. and M.A. in Economics from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) and an M.A. in Public Policy from Harvard University. At the state level, he served as Coordinator of the Social Cabinet in the state of Michoacán for five years. In this capacity, he was responsible for the design and implementation of health, education and social development programs.

In March 2009, he assumed the post of National Commissioner for Social Protection (Popular Insurance scheme), where he has managed to affiliated over 49 million Mexicans, which will guarantee universal health coverage. He also incorporated a prevention strategy called Safe Consultation to respond to the population’s demographic and epidemiological changes and make the Popular Insurance scheme sustainable over time.

Grand Finale

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