Information – Information
Denis McQuail points out that just as excessive use of the media is considered deviant behaviour, the same could be true for cases of avoiding all contact with them.
Longitudinal research shows that information campaigns conducted through posters, slogans, speeches in associations or through the media, which mainly use the feeling of fear to prevent drug use, do not have any substantial effect, as they do not bring about significant changes in people’s perceptions and behaviour. For example, the harmful effects of smoking are often mentioned, while the official media promote advertisements for healthier cigarettes. Moreover, they can create confusion and questions when they ‘distort’ reality or limit themselves to presenting research results in relation to epidemiological data, crime and death rates, user problems, etc.
However, information campaigns can play an important role in providing accurate information, but also in raising awareness and motivating people to participate in the activities and programmes of the Prevention Centre. Moreover, in today’s society of rapid technological development, information needs to be in tune with technological developments and the possibilities offered by online communication. We should not overlook the fact that technology is a social phenomenon, a product of human social activity, a result of social quests and needs.

ELPIDA’s programmes emphasise information and the removal of myths about substances, awareness raising and the increase of personal responsibility of citizens in order to become the strong links of the community, to which the prevention programmes are addressed and implemented and are categorised as follows:
- Workshops – Speeches,
- Events,
- Information via Press Releases and the Internet (Website – Diary)