Final report : technical assistance contract -- Peru drug education and public awareness program

The report covers the period 9/85-3/89. The drug education and information center established by the project -- Centro de Informacion y Educacion Para la Prevencion del Abuso de Drogas (CEDRO) -- has gained national and international recognition as a source of factual information and TA on drug abuse issues. Its original core staff of three professionals and two administrative personnel has been expanded to include nine permanent staff supported by a network of 1,200 community organizations. CEDRO performs a wide range of activities, including: (1) operation of a library containing more than 2,800 reference documents; (2) development and distribution of educational materials; (3) publication of an information bulletin, a technical journal, and a research monograph series; (4) training programs for community and public sector organizations, schools, military groups, private industry, and political leaders; (5) mass media campaigns; and (6) research. The project conducted an epidemiological study on the prevalence and incidence of drug use in Peru that was the first of its kind in Latin America. The final report, published by CEDRO, indicates that more than 87% of Peruvians have used alcohol, 67% have used tobacco, 20% have used coca leaf, 8% have used marijuana, 4% have used coca paste, and 2.6% have used cocaine. The overwhelming majority of coca paste and cocaine users are located in Lima, while the majority of those who use coca leaf and hallucinogens live in the provinces. Compared with a previous study, the results indicate a sharp rise in drug use in the capital during the past few years. A second national study is being undertaken by CEDRO. Efforts to provide TA to the Ministries of Health and education faced several barriers. The new administration lacked a coherent national drug abuse prevention plan and maintained that the primary responsibility lay with the United States and other consuming countries. Activities were also constrained by high personnel turnover within the ministries. However, the project team helped the Ministry of Education to conduct an epidemiological study of student drug use and to begin development of a pilot drug abuse prevention curriculum. Additional project activities have included TA and training for the National Institutes on Family Welfare and several PVO"s.