The Councilor for Prevention and Public Health Promotion, Rosa Cañón, has announced that the Community Prevention Unit for Addictive Behaviours (UPCCA) of the Torrevieja City Council, based at C/ Clemente Gosálvez No. 24, has launched its activities in local secondary schools as part of the Universal School Prevention Program.
This initial program is being implemented in all secondary schools in Torrevieja and is specifically designed for first-year secondary students (1º ESO). It starts with training sessions for their tutors, conducted under the guidance of qualified professionals from Proyecto Hombre.
This non-governmental organization is recognized by the National Drug Plan as a key reference in addiction education and training. The program is coordinated by the municipal service’s psychologist and social workers.
Informative Sessions Scheduled Throughout February
Throughout February, informational sessions will be conducted in all secondary schools. The first session took place on February 5 at IES Libertas, where tutors from both IES Libertas and the private school “La Purísima” attended to receive the necessary training.
This inaugural session was attended by Councilor Rosa Cañón, who expressed her gratitude to the school administrations for their collaboration, as well as to the teachers and guidance counsellors for their involvement in these prevention initiatives.
So far, initial meetings have been held at IES Torrevigía, Las Lagunas, and Mediterráneo. In the coming days, the program will continue with introductory sessions for tutors at all remaining secondary schools in the city.
Program Objectives:
Support the personal development of young students, helping them overcome challenges and strengthen their self-control.
Strengthen students’ connections with key socialization units at this stage of life: family and school.
Promote healthy lifestyle choices as alternatives to drug use.
Topics Covered:
The program addresses emotional management, cognitive strategies, social interactions, leisure and free time, addiction awareness, and values education.
Ultimately, as Rosa Cañón explains, the goal is to equip first-year secondary students with the skills, knowledge, and personal resources necessary to effectively confront addiction-related challenges, while enhancing protective factors and reducing associated risks.
The Department of Prevention and Public Health Promotion aims to take a comprehensive approach to preventing addictive behaviours by expanding these educational programs to additional grade levels, as well as implementing preventive initiatives within families and the broader community.
