Don't let addictions take away your future. With these words, the Minister of Education and Science, Prof. Galin Tsokov, addressed nearly 400 students in Gabrovo. The discussion took place within the framework of the Ministry of Education's drug prevention campaign "Just Say "NO". A special guest at the meeting was one of the most emblematic performers on the Bulgarian scene - the frontman of the band Ostava - Svilen Noev. He was born in Gabrovo and completed his primary education in the city.
Today's meeting was attended by 11th and 12th grade students from all high schools in Gabrovo. The young people watched the films prepared for the campaign, which are based on student stories. After the screening, they had the opportunity to comment on the stories and ask their questions on the topic. The meeting was also attended by experts from the Preventive and Information Center for Addictions in Gabrovo, which helped create an even more interesting and in-depth discussion.
„This campaign is different from all the others because it is based on student stories. It provokes the interest of students and helps them think about the consequences of thoughtless choices and decisions“, noted Minister Tsokov.
According to him, the three stories filmed within the campaign aim to make students ask questions. „About the difficulties we encounter in life and the choices we make. They remind young people that we always have the opportunity to choose how to react, what actions to take and how to deal with difficulties“, explained Prof. Tsokov. According to him, the right choice will help them not only to be healthy, but also to be educated and to be successful, good and happy people.
„Drugs cannot be a solution. They condemn and take away the future - health, success, relationships. This is the most important message of the three stories“, he also noted.
For his part, Svilen Noev shared that as the father of a 13-year-old boy, he has an exceptional incentive to be part of the campaign. „The strongest drug is love. And I hope that nothing will distract you from pursuing it and showing it to the people you care about. As a rock singer, I can tell you: drugs do not make you cool and will not help you be popular. They will destroy you“, he added.
Today's event was held in the municipality of Gabrovo. Deputy Mayor Nevena Mineva congratulated the Ministry of Education and Science on the implementation of the initiative. "We have the privilege of being among the first to host this campaign and to talk about the future - goals and dreams, as well as the choices we make, because what will be realized in our lives depends on them," she said.
Gabrovo is the second city visited by Minister Tsokov as part of the campaign. Before that, he met with over 90 students at the Language High School "Plovdiv". The event there was held at the request of the students themselves, who wanted to join the initiative and contribute with their participation to its fuller implementation.
At the end of last year, the Ministry of Education and Science launched a campaign against drug use in schools. Some of the most famous artists, artists and musicians in the country took part in it - Vessela Babinova, Zahari Baharov, Luiza Grigorova, Mihaela Fileva, Svilen Noev, Vladimir Ampov – Grafa, Victoria Terziyska, Todor Dimitrov – Torino, Vladimir Zombori and Nina Nikolina.
Within the framework of the initiative, three films have been prepared with the participation of Zahari Baharov, Luiza Grigorova and Vessela Babinova, and in the prepared presentation video for it, the popular figures send motivating and inspiring messages to young people – encourage them to believe in themselves, not to give in to bad habits and to learn to say “No“ when they are encouraged to embark on the path of addiction.
The campaign videos are suitable for high school students, and the screenings can be organized by schools as an extracurricular activity, attended by teachers, psychologists and other specialists. The topic can then be developed into a talk or discussion, where young people can ask their questions. The videos can also be watched during class time.
The event today was also attended by the head of the cabinet of the Minister Natalia Mikhalevska, the head of the RDO-Gabrovo Georgi Marinov, municipal employees, etc.
