I.Metshin on the drug abuse prevention: “Parents should learn to recognize the symptoms and respond to them correctly”

Kazan is in third place in terms of the number of youth infrastructure facilities among the cities with a population of over one million. Teen clubs, cultural and sports venues play an important role in the prevention of drug abuse among children and youth. The Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin noted that this work should begin with the family and parents.

“Today, there are conditions for active sports recreation of citizens in almost every yard,”- the Mayor of Kazan said. He drew attention to the fact that in Kazan it was possible to preserve municipal recreation summer camps and create conditions for recreation of young residents. A unique municipal orphanage Duslyk for children who need special attention operates in Kazan, the only one in the country,”- the head of the city noted.

“We have managed to ensure the accessibility of institutions, developed formats of work with children and adolescents, created all conditions for youth employment, but the availability of infrastructure is not enough to solve the issue of drug abuse. The responsibility of parents for children is also important, they should inculcate a healthy lifestyle and instill values,”- I. Metshin believes. “Parents should learn not only to recognize the symptoms, but also to respond to them correctly, to distract children from virtual life, which is often destructive,”- the Mayor added.

Guzel Sagitova, deputy head of the Executive Committee, also drew attention to the importance of the relationship between parents and children. She informed about a preventive project Family Camp that is being implemented in the city. “Traditionally, in August, we organize a session aimed at harmonizing and restoring child-parent relations, it is carried out under the drug prevention program. Ten large, low-income, foster families and families which attend Doverie psychological service took part in the camp. Social educational and psychological work was carried out with the families, as well as the restoration of child-parent relations,”- she said.

Another project Together is being implemented in teen clubs, where children and their parents attend creative workshops and sports training for free on weekends. “In the time of gadgets, such projects help parents to spend time with their children for useful activities, to understand and get to know their child more,”- Guzel Sagitova is sure.

Every year, 1,100 children from families who find themselves in a difficult life situation rest free of charge in municipal camps.

To date, Municipal Institution Podrostok comprises 64 facilities located in all districts of Kazan. More than 18 thousand teenagers are engaged in them on a permanent basis. In 2022, 1,602 events were held for more than 45,000 children to prevent drug addiction: the Committee for Children and Youth Affairs conducts a cycle of preventive measures online as well. In 2022, more than 20 lectures and seminars were held jointly with the administrations of universities and colleges for more than 1,500 people, G.Sagitova said.

Last year, 382 events (such as concerts, trainings, etc.) promoting a healthy lifestyle were also held. More than 27 thousand people took part in them. Now all conditions for sports and physical education have been created in the capital of the republic of Tatarstan, G.Sagitova reported. There are 2,220 venues in the city, 16.9 thousand people are engaged in 45 sports at 18 municipal sports institutions. In 2022, more than 150 events for almost 17 thousand children were held in them under programs for the prevention of drug addiction, extremism and terrorism.