Being IN is Being INdependent – Live the holidays safely”

The mayor of Praia da Vitória, Vânia Ferreira, was present on Monday 5th at the awareness session to combat addictions, called “Being IN is Being INdependent – Live the holidays safely”, which took place at the local marina, as part of the festivities.

On the occasion, the mayor stressed the “importance of initiatives in this area, considering that it is essential to closely monitor young people in terms of prevention and to guarantee the necessary and concerted support throughout their social involvement. Raising awareness through education is our main tool since passing on knowledge in this area of addictions helps prepare young people to combat them, given the risks associated with the consumption of alcoholic drinks and psychoactive substances.”

“The campaign ‘Being IN is Being INdependent – Live the Holidays Safely’ was born out of a desire to promote and value the ability to make conscious decisions, to choose healthy paths, and, above all, to live a healthy and dignified life,” she said.

The event was attended by Catarina Cota, a psychologist from UICAD – Unidade de Intervenção nos Comportamentos Aditivos e Dependências da Unidade de Saúde da Ilha Terceira, and Bárbara Faria and Letícia Leal, psychologists from Centro de Desenvolvimento e Inclusão Juvenil FORTIS, a center run by Santa Casa da Misericórdia da Praia da Vitória (SCMPV).

This campaign is the result of a partnership between the Education and Youth Office of Praia da Vitória City Council, the School Health Sector of USIT – Praia da Vitória Health Center and the Commission for the Protection of Children and Young People of Praia da Vitória, with the collaboration of the Regional Directorate for Preventing and Combating Addictions, the Haja Saúde Project, Casa de Povo de Santa Bárbara, and Santa Casa da Misericórdia da Praia da Vitória.

From a Press Release from the Mayor’s Office

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.