Regional Government continues to focus on prevention of addictive behaviours and dependencies throughout the Region - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

In addition to the "Be Healthy" programme in Terceira, which focuses on preventing addictive behaviours, the Regional Directorate for Prevention and Control of Dependencies, in conjunction with partners in the sector, has set up another two teams for this area, now covering the entire archipelago.  

The "More Health" and "Seeds of Change" projects join the Regional Government's efforts to develop a more consistent, effective and attentive approach to the idiosyncrasies of each island.

The three prevention teams will operate in three specific geographical areas and will, thus, cover all the archipelago's islands. They will "improve proximity which, in turn, will facilitate dialogue with the target public, an essential part of prevention work," noted Mónica Seidi, Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security.

Increasingly emphasising the importance of prevention, the Regional Directorate for Prevention and Control of Dependencies has a department in São Miguel since this year, which is part of the Centre for the Promotion of Lifestyles and Prevention, given the needs arising on the island.

With a view to increasingly including the community in the fight against addictive behaviour, the Regional Directorate for Prevention and Control of Dependencies held the 2nd meeting ‘Parish Councils as Community Support: their role in the phenomenon of addictive behaviours’ on Terceira Island last Saturday. The event was attended by parish mayors from the islands of Graciosa, Terceira and Santa Maria. The third and final meeting will be held in Pico on May 3 and will reach all the other parish mayors in the Azores.

As far as treatment is concerned, the Regional Government has established 20 agreements with therapeutic communities to diversify the type of response available and ensure increasingly "tailored" treatments for each patient, optimising their success.

The Regional Government's commitment to preventing and combating addictions remains a priority, promoting a continuous reinforcement of the means available to ensure an effective and integrated response to this public health issue.