Silver Spring, Maryland (April 13, 2007) – Danya International, Inc. (Danya), a health communications and technology firm delivering breakthrough solutions for public health and education, recently released three Promising Practices in Drug Prevention reports compiled for the State Department’s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) to ensure that foreign countries receive U.S. assistance to address escalating drug use and help improve local treatment and prevention systems.

"For many years, the INL has provided technical assistance and training to drug treatment and prevention programs around the world. Over time, many programs have developed unique promising practices of their own that they can share with the U.S. and other countries," said Jeff Hoffman, Ph.D., Danya President and CEO. "Danya had the opportunity to review some of these programs to analyze and describe some of these promising practices that may be helpful to other programs and countries."

With funding provided through an INL grant, Danya conducted site visits to drug treatment and prevention programs in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Jamaica, Peru, Sri Lanka, and Thailand to identify practices that, when effectively carried out, enhance the likelihood of program success. The Danya evaluation team visited programs in local schools, communities, and treatment centers; reviewed program materials; and collected many types of data, including information gleaned from extensive individual and group interviews with staff members, volunteers, community leaders, substance abuse clients, students, teachers, and other program stakeholders.

"Although the countries and programs Danya visited and studied varied greatly in their cultural, economic, and political diversity and specific drug abuse concerns, our team identified a number of key promising practices that could be replicated by treatment and prevention programs in-country and by other nations," said Salvatore Libretto, Ph.D., Danya Associate Director of Research and Executive Editor of the reports. "Some common trends we observed across cultures included incorporating prevention into the academic curriculum, involving parents and other caretakers, and engaging volunteers."

Select Findings

Latin America and the Caribbean. Drug abuse prevention and education starts at an earlier age, and in some cases, developmentally appropriate programs and materials are created for children as young as 5 or 6 years of age.

Thailand. Monks are trained in drug prevention and treatment strategies so that Buddhist temples may be used as drug rehabilitation centers in rural provinces. Prevention services are targeted toward at-risk youth and place a high priority on helping children and adolescents find "alternative activities" and healthy interests to steer them from the path of drug use.

Sri Lanka. Treatment program graduates are recruited as paid staff after a 2 year period as volunteer "interns." Rewards and incentives, including privileges for residents at more advanced stages, are used to increase program compliance.

About Danya International, Inc.

Danya's mission is to impact global public health and education through development and implementation of breakthrough health communications, research, and technology programs. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the company provides breakthrough solutions in the areas of public health communication, research and evaluation, information technology, education and training, program management support, and health product development. Danya is based in Silver Spring, Maryland, with offices in Atlanta, Georgia. To learn more about the Company, visit www.danya.com.