LATVIA

Drug Prevention Stakeholder Map

In the framework of the project “Building effective drug prevention results across Europe based on prevention systems analysis and widespread professional training – ASAP training” had been identified the key stakeholders in drug prevention in the different EU Member States. More information about the ASAP you will find on the project webpage: http://asap-training.eu. If you would like to know more about the institution, please, click on its name. If you would like to get more information about the ASAP project in Latvia (the result, ASAP training etc.) please contact our partners in Latvia:

THE STATE POLICE PUBLIC ORDER POLICE DEPARTMENT PREVENTION MANAGEMENT UNIT
  • Address: Čiekurkalna 1.līnija 1 k-2, Riga, LV-1026, Latvia
  • Contact person: Agnese Zile-Veisberga
  • Email: agnese.veisberga@iem.gov.lv
  • Phone: (+371) 67219592
  • Website: -
Name of the institution : THE STATE POLICE PUBLIC ORDER POLICE DEPARTMENT PREVENTION MANAGEMENT UNIT
Name and surname Agnese Zīle-Veisberga
Telephone number: (+371) 67219592
Email: Agnese.veisberga@iem.gov.lv
Website: -
DESCRIPTION:
The State Police Public Order Police Department Prevention Management Unit is a public national institution. Drug prevention is part of a wider crime prevention and safety activities.
THE SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES:
Implementation and coordination of prevention activities mainly at school settings. These prevention activities rather could be described as environmental activities so as to promote and enhance security and safety in schools or other settings. Prevention of drug use, drug distribution is part of these prevention activities.
Work with individual minors that have come into formal contact with law enforcement, including for drug use or distribution. In these cases a special inspector works with minor as a part of multidisciplinary team.

It is concentrated on nationwide prevention coordination and implementation, but within sector/ competencies.

Tasks of institution is defined in the Law of Police, but in this law explicitly drug prevention is not defined.

In the Drugs Action Plan 2019 – 2020 there is a task related to nationwide project “Safe school” (task: No. 8) that foresees the awareness raising on drug use and distribution in schools and actions to be taken when encountering such situations. Target audience of this activity is teachers.

More detailed planning of these and other prevention activities are set in unpublished annual plans.
THE ORGANIZATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR:
  • Decision-making in drug prevention (Including development of policies)
  • Developing drug prevention programmes and/or policies
  • Monitoring drug prevention interventions or programmes
  • Implementing drug prevention e.g. family- and school-based programmes
Name of the institution : Ministry of the Interior of Latvia
Name and surname Agnese Zīle-Veisberga
Telephone number: (+371) 67219592
Email: Agnese.veisberga@iem.gov.lv
Website: -
DESCRIPTION:
It is a national, public organization that is responsible for overall drug policy coordination and drug prevention as part of the state policy. Its main activity is drafting the National Drug Action Strategy and plan, including activities in drug prevention field.

It is main responsibility is decision-making in drug prevention (Including development of policies).

Overall policy coordination, that also includes drug prevention field. In practice, when drafting new policy planning document, existing situation is evaluated. Pursuant to it, in collaboration with other involved institutions decision on new tasks and activities in drug prevention is made and put forward for the government to adopt.
THE ORGANIZATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR:
  • Decision-making in drug prevention (Including development of policies)
Address (street, postal code): Duntes street 22, K-5, LV-1005
City/town: Latvia, Riga
Telephone number: +371 67388194
Eamil: agnese.freimane@spkc.gov.lv una.martinsone@spkc.gov.lv
Website: www.spkc.gov.lv
DESCRIPTION:
The Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDPC) Health promotion department is a public organization on the national level.

Surveys on addictive substance use are conducted separately at the Addiction monitoring unit which also operates the Reitox National Focal Point and the Data and research unit for non-communicable diseases.
MAIN ROLES:

Coordinate the implementation of health promotion measures at national and regional level:

  • To implement workshops for parents and specialists on early recognition, prevention and support of child addiction addictive substances and processes in 24 municipalities (ESF 9.2.4.2 project on Health Promotion and Disease prevention)
  • Implement the education sessions for adolescents (Grades 8-9) on the harmful effects and consequences of smoking, alcoholic beverages, and drug use in 24 municipalities (ESF 9.2.4.2 project on Health Promotion and Disease prevention)
  • Conduct surveys on substance use in general population, schools, drug users, in recreational settings.
  • Conduct media campaigns (on alcohol, smoking prevention etc)

Coordinate HIV prevention point (HPP) network:

  • Trainings for HPP staff on addiction prevention
  • Develop informative materials on addiction prevention (infographic, brochure, recommendation for GP)
  • Communication in social media
THE ORGANIZATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR:
  • Coordinating drug prevention
  • Advisory role
  • Funding drug and alcohol prevention
  • Monitoring substance related problems in order to apply the results to improve drug prevention
  • Conducting prevention research e.g. evaluation of drug prevention programmes, epidemiological studies in the general and student population

The CDPC is conducting research on addictive substance use among the Latvian population.

Research that is conducted regularly (biannual, every 4 years, periodically):

-ESPAD surveys (every 4 years)

-GYTS surveys (every 4 years)

-HBSC surveys (every 4 years)

FINBALT surveys (biannual survey Health Behavior among Latvian Adult Population).

Addictive substance use among general population (every 4 years).

Addictive substance use during pregnancy.

Addictive substance use in recreational settings.

  • National level health prevention

Since 2017, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the CDPC has been implementing national health prevention activities within the ESF project 9.2.4.1.

Thus far two projects are being implemented specifically on drug prevention:

- Smoking cessation support group intervention program (2017-ongoing). Development and piloting of a support group program for smoking cessation among adults (18+).

- Media campaign for the reduction of alcohol use and smoking, both among adolescent and adult population (2019 - ongoing).

The CDPC has been involved in the drafting of the project concept paper and tender, serve as advisors to the parties that have been contracted to develop and implement these projects.

  • Regional level ESF 9.2.4.2. Project implementation

Since 2017 the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is implementing ESF project 9.2.4.2. “Local Measures for Public Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at Municipalities Organized by the Center for Disease Prevention and Control”. The first stage of the project will end on 31 December 2019. One of the Project thematic blocks is “Addiction”. CDPC has been implementing activities in 24 municipalities, thus far:

- 36 workshops for parents and specialists on early recognition, prevention and support of child addiction, addictive substances and processes;

- 23 education sessions for adolescents (Grades 8-9) on the harmful effects and consequences of smoking, alcohol, and drug use.

The Project will have a second stage.

The organization cooperates with the local municipalities and the Ministry of Health.
Name of the institution : The Ministry of Health Department of Public Health
Country: Latvia
Telephone number: (+371) 67876000
Eamil: vm@vm.gov.lv
Website: -
DESCRIPTION:

It is a public institution responsible for Health promotion and addiction prevention policy development at national level.

There is health promotion and addiction prevention unit under the Public Health Department. The unit is responsible for developing addiction prevention policy in the country (mainly legal substances). In order to ensure policy planning and decision making additional tasks can be performed such as research, nationwide trainings or prevention programs.

THE SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES:

There is health promotion and addiction prevention unit under the Public Health Department. The unit is responsible for developing addiction prevention policy in the country (mainly legal substances). In order to ensure policy planning and decision making additional tasks can be performed such as research, nationwide trainings or prevention programs.

MAIN ROLES:

Health promotion and addiction prevention policy development at national level.

THE ORGANIZATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR:
  • Decision-making in drug prevention (Including development of policies)

    • Is responsible for the addiction prevention. Makes decisions on prevention activities/programs to be supported by state. Prevention activities are mainly targeting legal substances (tobacco, alcohol)

  • Funding drug and alcohol prevention

    • The funding is not regular. European Social Funds is the main source to finance the health promotion and addiction prevention activities and programs. Funding for specific activities or programs is organized as procurement.

  • Providing training on substance use prevention

    • The Ministry itself doesn’t provide trainings, but organizes procurement in order to finance such trainings

Position in the institution: National Centre for Education
Name and surname: Official contacts
Telephone number: + 371 67216500
Eamil: visc@visc.gov.lv
Website: -
DESCRIPTION:
National Centre for Education (NCE) is a public administration institution directly subordinated to the Minister of Education and Science. Its main task is drug prevention coordination and implementation in Riga.
THE SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES:
  • Decision making on addiction prevention activities in Riga
  • Trainings and methodological support for professionals
  • Implementation of prevention activities for different target groups
  • Monitoring of prevention activities
THE ORGANIZATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR:
  • Coordinating drug prevention

    • Overall coordination of prevention activities in Riga.

  • Decision-making in drug prevention (Including development of policies
  • Advisory role
  • Funding drug and alcohol prevention

    • There is annual funding for addiction prevention activities. In addition, financing provided by European Social Funding is allocated for addiction prevention activities.

  • Developing drug prevention programmes and/or policies
  • Monitoring drug prevention interventions or programmes
  • Implementing drug prevention e.g. family- and school-based programmes

    • The Prevention sector ensures implementation of universal and selective drug prevention activities for various target groups in Riga.

  • Providing training on substance use prevention
Name of the institution NGO “MOT”
Country: Latvia
Telephone number: +371 26101362
Eamil: ilze@mot.lv
Website: https://mot.global/
DESCRIPTION:
The NGO “MOT” implements programme “MOT”. The programme is targeting school children and the overall goal of the programme is to strengthen life skills and reduce bullying, violence, use of addictive substances and social exclusion. In addition, the organization ensures training for trainers, including peer training.
THE SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES:
The NGO “MOT” implements programme “MOT”. The programme is targeting school children and the overall goal of the programme is to strengthen life skills and reduce bullying, violence, use of addictive substances and social exclusion.

In order to implement the programme, the organisation provide training for trainers. Trainers usually are teachers, peers, volunteers. If the training programme is successfully completed trainers can implement the programme and work with children.
THE ORGANIZATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR:
  • Implementing drug prevention e.g. family- and school-based programmes
  • Providing training on substance use prevention
Name of the institution: Riga City Council Welfare Department Addiction Prevention Sector
Country: Latvia
Telephone number: + 371 67012153
Eamil: kristine.mozerte@riga.lv
Website: -
DESCRIPTION:
The institution is responsible for primary and secondary prevention in educational institutions from 1 to 12 classes. Within the framework of prevention, the society is educated in the city of Riga, direct and intensive cooperation with educational institutions, including pre-schools, has been established.

Specialists are trained to work with children, young people, and notice and prevent addiction. The residents of Riga have the opportunity to receive free consultations on addictive issues. Visit support groups, get involved in summer camps and other events.

It is possible to ask questions about addictions on the created website.

In cooperation with the state, we participate in various drug working groups.

The public is addressed both directly and indirectly. Prevention lectures, discussions, individual and group work, interactive lessons. Training programs created. Social networks are used, offering alternatives to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Organization of social services and social assistance for Riga residents. Providing access to healthcare. Health promotion and prevention of diseases in Riga city residents.

The institution cooperates with: non-governmental organization "DIA-LOGS", which deals with harm reduction for residents of Riga municipality, municipal police, day centers, social department, educational institutions.
THE SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES:
  • Decision making on addiction prevention activities in Riga
  • Trainings and methodological support for professionals
  • Implementation of prevention activities for different target groups
  • Monitoring of prevention activities
THE ORGANIZATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR:
  • Decision-making in drug prevention (Including development of policies):
  • Advisory role
  • Funding drug and alcohol prevention
  • Developing drug prevention programmes and/or policies
  • Implementing drug prevention e.g. family- and school-based programmes
  • Providing training on substance use prevention
Address (street, postal code): -
City/town: -
Telephone number: -
Eamil: -
Website: -
DESCRIPTION:

Addiction prevention centre is Liepaja City Council Social service institution.

In Social service provider register of Ministry of Social welfare service provider registered service - HIV/AIDS and addiction prevention services.

Aim: to help one to recognize, solve or alleviate problems associated with addictive substances and processes, developing the person's own resources and the involvement of support systems, reducing the incidence of addiction and the consequences of addiction in society.

THE SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES:
  • addiction prevention;
  • motivational services;
  • relapse prevention;
  • harm reduction services (syringe and needle exchange, condom distribution, counselling, information an education, voluntary counselling and testing).
THE ORGANIZATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR:
providing harm reduction services (syringe and needle exchange, condom distribution, counselling, information an education, voluntary counselling and testing).
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