Citizens’ Association for prevention of addiction NARKO-NE

What services will prevent Bosnian and Herzegovina’s adults and children from becoming addicted to drugs?

This question is always the starting point for the development of prevention activities.

NARKO-NE is dedicated to life competence and health promotion skills with young people. In all its projects, NARKO-NE has a pragmatic and grass roots approach that carefully respects and explores the social, cultural and economical conditions in the local community, and the existent human and professional resources of children, adolescents and professionals.

NARKO-NE is a mode-up word that means NO to drugs. The word for drug addiction in the informal Bosnian language is ‘Narkomanija’. It inspires attention to and acceptance of drug treatments, especially on the government level, and often helps as a door-opener to other services. Drug addiction in Bosnia is a social problem created after the Bosnia War in 1992-1995, and demands a sense of urgency. The government doesn’t make efforts for drug prevention projects and prevention because of a
nationalistic and corrupt political platform, educational system and an out-of-date social and health protection system.

NARKO-NE was registered on the 16th of September 2002 by the National Ministry of Civil Affairs. The first projects began in Autumn 2001 under the patronage of the Bosnian Franciscan Order and its humanitarian-charitable organization, Bread of St. Anthony. Renovabis, Action of Solidarity. People in Middle and Eastern Europe financed the 2002 ‘Project for Planning and Initiation of Activities in the Field of Primary Addiction Prevention,” and launched a dynamic and effective development which still continues today.

Attitudes and work principles of NARKO-NE

- Clear vision of the re-built community of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the active commitment to life and health, as well as the commitment against hazardous conditions for children and young people.

- Health and life skills-support in working with children and young people as the most effective prevention of addiction, violence, marginalization and radicalism.

- Empowerment of young people through training and professional volunteer work.

- Respectful researching of cultural, socio-pedagogical, social and political values, resources and circumstances to stimulate further developments.

- Cooperation across ethnic boundaries at all levels - training young people in mixed groups, development of concepts, strategies and programs with leaders and professionals from both entities.

- Use of the specific know-how, of many years of professional and family experience out of a woman’s point of view and on favorable living conditions of Swiss women for the development of intercultural skills and networks of solidarity.

- Continuous practical commitment for the benefit of children and young people in risk situations.

- Cooperation with colleagues in Switzerland, Austria, Germany and USA, use of the know-how from Western European countries.

Number of employees
. Constant employees 4
. Junior employees 5
. Part-time employees 3
. Salaried instructors/referees with fee 5
. Volunteers, December 08  140

Donators

NARKO-NE was financed totally by international donors until 2007, when a first grant was awarded by the Federal Health Ministry.
A financial buffer is given by small donators from Switzerland

. SOROS Open Society Fund, BiH
. DEZA/SDC Schweizer Koordinationsbüro, Sarajevo
. Netzwerk Rrjeta, D
. Renovabis, Solidaritätsaktion für Mittel- und Osteuropa, D
. Kloster Baldegg, CH
. Ostprojekt CH
. Verein IDEMO, Studenten ZHK und PHZ, CH
. Office of Public Affairs, USA/BiH
. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, D/BiH
. Deutscher Caritasverband, Freiburg i. B.
. Hilton Fund for Sisters
. Deutsche Stiftungen
. Gesundheitsministerium der Föderation BiH