SECTION3: ENHANCEMENT OF INSTRUCTION ON DRUGABUSEPREVENTION
2. Government Efforts to Combat Drug Abuse
In January1997,the govemment installed in the Cabinet the Headquarters for the Promotion of Measures to Prevent Drug Abuse,with the Prime Minister as Director,and the Minister of Education,Science,Sports and Culture and other officials as Assistant Directors.This move was made in consideration of tbe recent increase in crimes involving drug abuse,to ensure close mutual cooperation among the related administrative organs regarding measures to combat drug abuse,and to promote strict control,publicity and education to obtain the people's understanding and cooperation,in addition to other comprehensive and proactive measures regarding drugs.In April1997,the Headquarters determined the"Principles of Essential Points Regarding Measures to Prevent Drug Abuse"and determined measures aimed at the problem of drug abuse by young people as emergency measures for FY1997.Measures include1)drug abuse prevention classes held at all upper secondary schools nationwide,and2)enhancement of drug abuse prevention education at all lower and upper secondary schools nationwide.In addition,in response to the decision to open the Special Session on International Drug Control of the UN General Assembly to discuss narcotics issues in the forum of the UN,the Headquarters decided to establish a long-term comprehensive plan to promote domestic measures against drug abuse.Accordingly,in May1998,the Headquarters adopted the Five-Year Drug Abuse Prevention Strategy in Japan.The Strategy states that Japan will devise emergency measures toward the early termination of the tbird period of stimulant abuse in Japan,and positively contribute toward solving the global problem of drug abuse.It also sets the following four targets indicating the current state,problem areas and measures related to each target:
(1)To halt drug abuse trends among young people by educating them about its hazards.
(2)To shictly control groups engaged in illicit traffic,which consist of organized crime groups and some foreign undesirables,by implementing effective and efficient action against the increasingly sophisticated sales of illicit drugs.
(3)To interdict smuggling at the border and promote international cooperation,including support for measures in illicit drug production areas.
(4)To support the rehabilitation of drug intoxicated persons and prevent them from relapsing into drug abuse.
The Strategy was explained by Japan's representative to the Special Session on International Drug Control of the UN,which was attended by morethan160Member States in June1998.
Five-Year Drug Abuse Prevention Strategy in Japan(Extraction of the Section Concerning Measures Aimed at Young People)Goal1:To halt drug abuse trends among young people by educating them about its hazards.Measures(1)Improving guidance at school for preventing drug abuse(guidance for preventing drug abuse at the primary and secondary school level)Revision of Courses of StudyThorough guidelines(annual drug abuse prevention class in all junior and senior high schools)Educational opportunities for teachersTeaching materials for students and guidance materials for teachersHolding drug abuse prevention classes(annually)Strengthening and improving support for studies about drugs by individual boards of education not only in schools but also in homes and local communitiesHolding of short courses on drug abuse prevention and setting up of consulting contact points for local residents by social educational facilities Requesting related groups,such as PTAs,to take an active role(2)Strengthening the on-the-spot guidance system and obtaining cooperationStrengthening the guidance system in close cooperation with organizationsImproving consulting services by related organizations and local volunteersImproving the quality and capabilities of juvenile guidance staff at juvenile guidance centers established by local governments and police volunteers for juvenilesStrengthening the structure of measures against drug abuse by juveniles,such as providing street guidanceContinued guidance and group meetingsStrict control of sources of supply to prevent crimes(3)Improving measures to prevent re-abuse by juvenilesStudy of guidance techniques,training of instructorsDevelopment of effective teaching materialsImproving the counseling systemProvision of individual guidance to prevent a return to drug abuseCooperation between related organizations such as medical institutions and self-help groups for drug dependent personsJoint efforts to expand follow-up services for individual juveniles by staff at related organizations such as the police,child consultation centers,medical institutions,health centers,and boards of education(4)Improving the consulting system of related organizationsDistribution of telephone cards with the telephone numbers of the major telephone counseling contact points of local governments to junior high school students throughout the countryPublication of information on counseling contact points in periodicals for young people and posting of postersFurther promotion of linkages and cooperation between consulting organizations,for example,by holding liaison meetings aimed at case studies and the exchange of informationWork to prevent stimulant drug abuse and nationwide organization of councilsHolding of short courses on preventive education and guidance for volunteersProvision of consultations on drug problems at Juvenile Classification Homes by clinical psychology experts(5)Publicity and educationDevelopment of more positive publicity and educational activities,including the"No,Absolutely No"campaignDevelopment and enhancement of audiovisual equipment and materialsNationwide development of activities involving"drug abuse prevention caravan cars"and"drug abuse prevention PR cars"
Revision of Courses of Study