Ahead of the International Day Against Drug Abuse the federal project “Sober Russia” focused on propogating a healthy lifestyle among young people and on preventing and treating drug and alcohol abuse.
On June 23-24 , 2012, the all-Russian movement “It is better to be sober!” organized by the Federal project “Sober Russia” took place. The move was devoted to the 26th of June which was made International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
A healthy and sober lifestyle was supported by more than 600 participants of the movement in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, and Khabarovsk. Prominent sportsmen, political and social activists, representatives of local administrations, members of United Russia and the party's supporters took part in sporting events, entertainments, and flash-mobs.
The main part of the eventswas organized in Moscow in the Vorobyovy Hills, where on June 24 people had a chance to meet well-known Russian sportsmen and participate in bicycle races, an anti-drug posters and sketches contest, unarmed combat and karate workshops, and watch the extreme bicycle show in order to prove that young people of Russia are against drugs and alcohol.
The Russian tennis player, the Honored Master of Sport of Russia, the PM of the State Duma, Marat Safin, stated: “Sport is a true alternative to alcohol and drugs, it is a way to change your life and achieve success. The more events which make sport available will be held in Russia, the more people will carry out a healthy lifestyle in our country.”
In all cities where the move “It is better to be sober” took place the participants organized flash-mobs. Anti-drug posters were unfolded at main streets and squares. The arrangements within the project gained active support of local administrations.
“The project “Sober Russia” is aimed at the struggle against alcohol and drug abuse: prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. Within International Day Against Drugs we are focused on prevention and propaganda of healthy lifestyle among young people. Alcoholism and drug abuse of minors threatens the nation, that is why the preventive work should be directed at them. Our cooperation with sporting organizations, health care bodies, and educational institutions is aimed at decrease of alcohol and drugs consumption among minors,” the head of the federal project “Sober Russia,” Sultan Khamzayev, said.
