The Binational Alliance Co-Chairs, Laura Gaither and Marge Bartoletti, presented an annual report of activities which reflected Binational Alliance coordinated activities and addressed the need for financial assistance in order to mobilize Mexican participation.
Work groups organized by specific topics and geographical region identified needs, resources, and specific activities to be included in a work plan:
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| 1. Financial and technological resources |
- Beverly Watts-Davis of the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) and Dr Cristóbal Ruíz Gaytán of the Mexican National Council Against Addictions (Consejo Nacional Contra las Adicciones, CONADIC), expressed their support for the Binational Alliance , through the following:
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- Support for the Binational Alliance Annual Conference
- Development of a communication system via the Internet.
- Establishment of a website for the Binational Alliance to include information about activities and resources of the participating organisms that can be shared.
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| 2. Epidemiology |
- Combine the indicators presented by Baja California/California and Chihuahua/Texas to be used by all the states.
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| 3. Coordination |
- Identify and contact organizations and coalitions in each community to inform them about the benefits of belonging to the Binational Alliance .
- Strengthen the coordination in each region and develop an action plan that favors training and the sharing of experiences.
- Involve youth in planning efforts (organize forums for at-risk youth to identify needs and appropriate strategies)
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| 4. Training |
- Promote virtual training utilizing the resources of universities, the border health commission, and others existing resources on the following topics:
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- Dealing with the media on addiction issues and topics such as training for broadcasters and reporters provided by CONADIC and training for health workers provided by Western CAPT.
- Producing material to be used in mass media throughout the border. It includes working on scheduling the messages (best time-slots), message content, interventions, as well as sources of financial support.
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5. Organization |
- A number of suggestions were made regarding the organizational structure of the Binational Alliance , including the term of the co-chairs, to be reviewed by the Steering Committee.
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| The preceding will strengthen the relationship between the United States and Mexico assuring an atmosphere of trust that allows and guarantees the progress. April 2006 |
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El Paso, TX 79912