ALIKARNASSOS PROMOTES
ELECTION PARTICIPATION

Aiming to improve and develop new methods for democratic participation on a regional level, which will increase the participation of the 18-30 group at the 2009 Euro elections, the Alikarnassos Township will implement the 2007-2013 EU program "fundamental rights and identity of citizens."

"The program is geared towards improving the participation of all citizens in all elections, which is of decisive importance for the results of electoral confrontations," said a township spokesperson.  "On a European level, a continuously smaller percentage of citizens participate in the electoral processes, while the percentage of abstention is on the rise."

The Alikarnassos municipality aims to guide citizens towards a bigger participation in the upcoming elections and prompt them to develop a political identity, national and European. 

ALIKARNASSOS INCREASES
DRUG AWARENESS

Due to reports on increased use of addictive drugs, the Alikarnassos Department of Planning Growth and Social Policy has increased its effort to make drug awareness informative programs available to the residents.

Working together with the Counseling Adolescent Team from the Drug Detox Centre Ariadni, the township began planning a campaign of action in 2008 with seminars on the issue of "drugs, myths and reality;" classes for parents dealing with the problems of adolescence; distribution of material dealing with drug addiction, and also held theatre productions depicting the problem.

"The municipality will continue its efforts for the prevention of drug addiction," stated the mayor of Alikarnassos Mayor Vangelis Sisamakis. "Simultaneously, we will shape for the young people a more humane environment to express and confront their daily problems."