The most important in Guanajuato are children and youth, that is why strategies such as Planet Youth are implemented to protect them from addictions:
The most important in Guanajuato are children and youth, that is why strategies such as Planet Youth are implemented to protect them from addictions: Governor
The Third International Congress for the Prevention of Addictions Planet Youth is held in Guanajuato City
Guanajuato/Gto News
“In our State, we want peace and social calm. That is why we address the causes of problems: preventing the consumption of illicit substances, rebuilding the social fabric, and generating opportunities to form good citizens. And we do it through strategies like Planet Youth”, said Governor of Guanajuato, Diego Sinhue Rodriguez Vallejo.
The Governor headed the opening ceremony of the Third International Congress for the Prevention of Addictions Planet Youth.
Rodriguez Vallejo reiterated that Planet Youth is the most important program of this Administration, which focuses on having effects on actual and future generations.
The Secretary of Health, Daniel Alberto Diaz Martinez, highlighted that Guanajuato has a great team that works on the Planet Youth Addiction Prevention strategy.
After the implementation of the Planet Youth program to prevent addictions in the young people surveyed in the municipalities of Leon, Celaya, Guanajuato, Irapuato and Silao, a 20 percent reduction in experimenting with alcohol consumption was observed.
And the time spent using screen devices such as cell phones and video games was also reduced, while the time spent on sports and cultural activities with the family increased, and a decrease in tobacco consumption was also observed, noted the Secretary of Health.
The Governor of Guanajuato recalled that in 2018, Guanajuato was the first local government to sign a cooperation agreement with the Icelandic Center for Social Research and Analysis, to implement the Model for the Prevention of Addictions, Planet Youth.
Rodriguez Vallejo said that it is a proven work methodology in 34 countries, which have achieved significant reduction in the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in minors. It is an essential action to protect girls, boys and adolescents from addictions.
It has been proven that if girls and boys do not consume legal drugs such as alcohol and tobacco, at an early age, from 6 to 16 years old, it will be difficult for them to fall into addiction later in life, said the Governor.
Rodriguez Vallejo pointed out that the central idea is to create a protection network to prevent the consumption of licit -alcohol, tobacco- and illicit drugs among girls, boys and adolescents.
“To do this, more than resources, what is necessary is the collaboration of all social sectors: parents, the educational sector, the health system, public servants, sports clubs, companies and the media,” said the Governor.
Hence our recognition to the companies, schools, sports units and government agencies, which today have received their “Gold Badge”, as a sign of their solidarity and commitment to this prevention strategy, highlighted the Governor.
“Thanks for showing that social participation continues to be one of the great strengths of Guanajuato,” said Rodriguez Vallejo.
The knowledge and best practices at an international level will be presented and made available to better understand this social phenomenon and make it more effective in this Third International Congress on Addiction Prevention.
“It is a luxury to have the best experts in addiction prevention at this meeting. Thanks to all the speakers who will share valuable experiences with us. And especially to the attending public: mothers and fathers, tutors, caregivers, health workers, mental health specialists and the young people who are with us and who are convinced of being agents of change,” said the Governor.
Rodriguez Vallejo thanked the President of Iceland, Guoni Thorlacius Johannesson, for the collaboration to work for the benefit of our children and youth. “We share values with Iceland such as work, respect for the environment, the value of family, the drive for innovation, the hope for a better future and the care of our girls, boys and young people,” said the Governor.
Rodríguez Vallejo also welcomed “our ally and friend, Jon Sigfuson, President of the Board of Planet Youth. Thank you Jon for accompanying Guanajuato on this journey of prevention that we started together 5 years ago.”
This third congress presents:
- 45 Speakers, 29 Keynote Conferences and 16 Plenary Sessions and Discussions, and 3 Discussion Panels
There will also be living libraries for mothers, fathers and caregivers; as well as for young people; recreational and training activities for young people; sports speakers and influencers; panels focused on mental health prevention; among other activities.
Some participating speakers are:
- Jose Narro Robles, Former Secretary of Health, Mexico
- Gustavo Ayon, Professional Basketball Player, Mexico
- Kristina Sperkova, President of Movendi International, Sweden
- Margret Lilja, Knowledge Director, Planet Youth, Iceland
At the end of the opening ceremony, Governor Diego Sinhue Rodríguez Vallejo presented the conference “The Youth of Guanajuato, immersed in prevention.”
The Governor said that the Planet Youth strategy will continue to be consolidated in all municipalities, recognizing and certifying healthy communities.
“We are going to continue with the Planet Youth Badge, which is a recognition of spaces that promote the prevention of addictions. We want every space in schools, in companies, in neighborhoods and communities to be a committed and healthy space”, said the Governor.
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