The scourge of addictive substances demands reflection and immediate action. For the prevention against the use of addictive substances, KEPAKY organised the first «ΚΕPΑΚΥ Basketball Camp» from the 6th to the 12th of July 2009.

Our aims were the acquaintance and contact of the children with sports, with the aim to remove the threat of the addictive substances’ usage. The children were in need of a healthy occupation during the summer era, therefore this programme was created which was aimed at children from 8 to 17 years old.

During these days, the children had the chance to know more about basketball under the supervision of professional coaches. During the activity, the children had the chance to undertake seminars, which were organised together with the Youth Board of Cyprus. Each child undertook the workshop which corresponded to its age group.

Furthermore, in cooperation with the Cyprus Police children undertook workshops on road safety. Last, but not least, the children also participate in workshops related to the violence in the pitches, which were organised by two psychologists by the Educational Psychology Service of the Ministry of Education and Culture. Several organisations supported this initiative and the total amount of €6,259, which was collected, was given to the Archbishop Makarios III Hospital for children with cancer, by a committee set up with people from the Board of KEPAKY and the coaches that participated in the basketball camp.

In addition to these and within the context of KEPAKY’s actions against addictive substances, an introductory seminar was organised on February 3, 2011, at the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, under the title “Parents on Prevention”. The seminar was organised after the conduction of a research among the “Friends of KEPAKY” and a sample of 60 individuals, from which 52 were parents. The main lecturer was Mrs Nicol Giannaki, Psychologist and Officer of KENTHEA. The lecture was being addressed to parents, teachers and anyone related to education and security of children and young people.

After this, an experimental workshop was organised, “Communication with the Family”, at the premises of Andreas Sofocleous Group of Companies’ kindergarten. The workshop was organised in cooperation with KENTHEA and many parents participated on that. The workshop was completed after a series of weekly meetings.