Tokyo, Japan - UPF-Japan organized a commemorative event for the “International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” in Tokyo on July 7 in partnership with the Women's Forum of Ambassadors for Peace, and about 50 participants, including members of the local assembly and leaders from various fields attended.
{besps}images/stories2/asia/2011/japan/3851{/besps}“Drug abuse among young people has gradually become a serious problem in Japan these days,” said Mr. Seiichi Kikuya, Secretary General of UPF-Japan, in his welcoming address. “I hope to have an effective discussion on the theme today.”
Ms. Masano Yamamoto, Vice-President of the Women's Forum of Ambassadors for Peace and a member of a prefecture's congress, gave her congratulatory remarks. She emphasized the importance of Kizuna (internal connectedness) within families to combat drugs and juvenile problems.
Presentations were given by Mr. Seisaku Morita, an editor of the Sekai Nippo (World Daily News), and Mrs. Mamiko Rattley, Vice-President of UPF-Australia. Mr. Morita gave a presentation on drug abuse among increasingly younger people. He pointed out that dissemination of IT has made it easier for young people to have access to illicit drugs and that thin human relations within the society have led them to taking drugs.
Pointing out that “prevention is better than cure,” Mrs. Rattley introduced UPF-Australia’s anti-drug activity which is providing character and values education to young people in order to promote healthy family life.
The presentations were followed by a panel discussion, and Mrs. Kazuyo Aotsu, the head of the International Youth Institute, claimed that isolation from family and society are leading young people to lay their hands on drugs. She then emphasized the need for grassroots movements that will strengthen family and community relationships.