Bringing Drug Education to the Dominican Republic: National Drug Council and Drug-Free World Foundation Unite in an Historic Educational Agreement Against Illicit Drugs
The President of the National Drug Council of the Dominican Republic (CND) - Mr. Alejandro de Jesus Abreu and Dr. Bernard Fialkoff, President and Founder of the Americas Chapter and Global Ambassador for the Drug-Free World Foundation International, signed an agreement between both institutions to collaborate on education on the dangers and harms of illicit drugs. The Drug-Free World Foundation International is led by its Executive Director, Jessica Hoffman.
Priorities of the Agreement
The agreement prioritizes preventive activities, talks, conferences, sports or art activities, distribution of educational materials, research and compilation of educational results and innovative activities, to improve prevention, education and awareness programs in public and private schools.
General Nelson Santos, Director of International Relations for the CND; Director, Carlos Manuel Perez Gonzalez, who initiated the original establishment of the link between the CND and Drug-Free World Foundation in 2012; and all executives and staff of the Dominican CND participated in this historic event.
From the public sector, the following participated: International Liaison María Lozada Fialkoff and Media Director Jorge Rodriguez; both members of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, Las Americas Chapter; General Edwin Efraín Nájera Castañeda, retired Director of the Guatemalan Air Force and Founder of the Drug-Free World, Guatemala Chapter; and Mr. Pedro Franklin Valois, Director of the Foundation in Santo Domingo; Mr. Johnny Pichardo, President of FUNIPREN, along with his executives; Dr. Virginia Laureano, President of the Dominican College of Dentists and her executives; and Dr. Rosa Daysi Agramonte, President of the Aladome Academy.
Statistics on Drug Use and Addiction in the Dominican Republic
In 2024, the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Public Health recorded 962 episodes of drug addiction. Between 2024 and 2025, 4,047 people were treated at the Comprehensive Care Center for Dependencies at the Francisco Moscoso Puello Hospital. The most commonly used substances were cocaine (72.2%), followed by crack cocaine and marijuana (50% each), and alcohol (27.8%). In 2022, 30,875 people were reported detained by the National Drug Control Directorate for offenses related to illicit substances, of which 54.9% were young people between the ages of 18 and 35.
Educational and Preventive Initiatives
The Ministry of Education, together with the National Drug Council, has launched a School Protocol for suspected drug use or possession. It is aimed at all educational centers. The National Drug Control Directorate, with its Community Guidance Directorate, has impacted more than 20,000 young people and children with preventive activities in 2024, including talks, conferences, sports activities, distribution of educational materials, and more.
Mission and Functions of the National Drug Council
The National Drug Council is the governing body for drug abuse prevention policies. Its main functions are to advise the Executive Branch on the drug problem in the Dominican Republic: to design, review, develop, and implement the national strategy and campaign against drug use, distribution, and trafficking; to coordinate all sectors to curb illicit drug trafficking, with the vision of being a proactive institution in generating innovative and comprehensive drug policies at the national and international levels. Its mission is to reduce the use, abuse, distribution, and trafficking of illicit drugs.
The CND offers services such as:
Providing institutions with technical assistance to develop and implement effective drug policy strategies that address problems related to the use of psychoactive substances;
Promoting awareness, knowledge, and skills related to substance abuse through effective sensitization actions, in order to reduce the risks associated with drug use and strengthen the capacity of professionals and communities to address drug-related challenges in an informed and proactive manner in all areas of society.
The Council promotes the Live Dominicanly campaign. This innovative initiative connects with youth through animated podcasts and creative digital messages. With more than 400,000 views, it seeks to prevent drug use and counteract negative influences on social media and urban music. President Alejandro Abreu called on media and companies to join in strengthening this prevention.
For more information, contact info@consejodedrogasrd.gob.do
The Role of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World International
The Foundation for a Drug-Free World International in Los Angeles is a nonprofit public benefit organization. The Foundation provides fact-based information about drugs so that anyone can make informed decisions and live a drug-free life. Through a worldwide network of volunteers, 56 million educational brochures have been distributed in 120 countries, and The Truth About Drugs PSAs (public service announcements) have aired on 275 television stations. These materials and activities have helped people around the world learn about the destructive effects of drugs and then make the decision not to use them.
“The Truth About Drugs” Program
Sooner or later, a young person will be offered drugs. The decision to use them or not can drastically affect that life. This is why it is so important to know the facts about drugs, not opinions or hype. The Truth About Drugs, a comprehensive multimedia program, is based on an enduring truth: The more children and young people know about drugs, the less likely they are to try them. All this knowledge comes free of charge to anyone, school, or institution. The Truth About Drugs Education Kit is offered as a tool for educators teaching children 11 years and older in a classroom, for anyone providing group instruction, or in a community-based teaching setting.lead to a fatal overdose.
Whether for educational or personal informational purposes, you can access downloadable resources and order materials free of charge at:
Website: vidasindrogas.org
Email: orders@drugfreeworld.org
Dr. Bernard Fialkoff
Drug Free World Foundation
fdfwamericas@gmail.com
