The International Anti-Drug Abuse Foundation (IADAF) has decided to devote its resources and efforts during the next two years to fighting the increasing problem of drug abuse in Israel. According to Mrs. Aviva Najar, an Israeli child psychologist who was one of the founders of IADAF in 1973 and who is a member of the organization’s advisory board, the decision to concentrate on drug problems in Israel came after representatives of IADAF participated last year in a conference in Israel in which Israeli officials disclosed that “Israel is facing severe drug abuse problems, especially among young people.”
In an interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Mrs. Najar said that she and other members of IADAF are presently engaged in a fundraising campaign. The initial goal, she said, is to raise $1 million for establishing drug abuse centers in Jerusalem, Jaffa and Acre. A major fund raising dinner will be held in December in the Pierre Hotel in New York, she said.
Mrs. Najar said that IADAF will recruit American drug experts for its activities in Israel and will hold seminars on methods of treating and rehabilitating persons addicted to narcotics “and other habit-forming substances.” According to Mrs. Najar, officials of Israel’s Health Ministry welcomed the decision of IADAF to assist Israel in its drug problems and promised to cooperate and assist the organization.
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