The idea for the project was the result from a public discussion of young people s problems, which established that the youth in the small city do not have sufficient information on the effects of drug abuse and often find drugs attractive and interesting. The initiative was assumed by the Center for Sustainable Development of the Municipality of Bratsigovo, in active partnership with the municipal management, Narodni Buditeli Secondary School and the Youth Home. The team conducted surveys among the young people and developed a project that was submitted for funding under FLGR s Social Environment Improvement Program, supported financially by Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The practical implementation began in the beginning of 2004.

The project was implemented in two stages:

1. The first and the main task was the registration of an NGO. The registration was prepared by a team that convened a general assembly to elect members of the board and a chairperson of the association. The non-profit association was called Center for Sustainable Development of the Municipality of Bratsigovo Association. Under the project, the first NGO in the municipality of Bratsigovo was registered by the Pazardzhik County Court. The registration procedure was financed in full by FLGR.

2. Implementation of program activities

A project team was formed and participated actively in the individual activities. A survey was conducted among the youth to identify their attitude to such type of prevention. We found out that the children want to learn more about the negative effects from drug abuse and that they are willing to be involved in the activities.

The lectures against drug abuse began in February, 2004 and continued through June. The lecturers were two psychologists working for the Drug Board in Pazardzhik. The children were very interested and asked many questions during the discussions. Although the Narodni Buditeli Secondary School helped organize these events, no teachers were present at the meetings, in order to give the children an opportunity to be completely honest. After the meetings, the lecturers said that some children had problems with drugs.

Many students were involved in the development of information materials (leaflets and brochures). They wrote the leaflets and the school management helped them to copy the materials on colored paper. This was yet another chance for the youth to scream No to drugs. Some of the titles of the brochures were: Don t ask stupid questions, stop using, no matter how hard it is! , Youth without Risk , Don t Waste Your Life! , What Would Drugs Do to Me? , Don t Die Unaware! . The authors of the best information materials were give T-shirts with signs No to Drugs .

The campaign continued in June and July with the organization of sports events (a football tournament) for children in 5, 6 and 7 grade. The best players were awarded prized and T-shirts with signs No to Drugs . The awards were given on June 15, 2004, the last day of the academic year.

The project ended with a concert that was organized with the common efforts of the Center for Sustainable Development, the Municipality and the schools. The concert took place on June 1, the International Child s Day, and was the first in Bratsigovo by scope and effect. The young people and the adults demonstrated great interest in the festivities that began in the morning and ended in the evening; many of them performed folk dances and songs. The Zagorche Ensemble and young singers from Hit-1 sang at the square. They established spontaneous friendships with the children in the audience and joined the campaign by putting on No to Drugs T-shirts.

The young people in Bratsigovo felt important and in the focus of the public attention. At last society paid attention to their problems and provided them an opportunity to express their opinion on issues they are interested in. They felt noticed and implemented their ideas.

The implementation of the project increased the confidence of the Center for Sustainable Development s team to develop new projects.

For additional information, please contact :

Stefka Kazakova

4579 Bratsigovo

21, Bratsigovska Komuna Street

Tel.: (0888) 944 2581

Email: [email protected]