The Paraguayan government has officially launched the second phase of Sumar. It is a strategic initiative aimed at preventing and fighting addictions across the country. This new phase of Sumar emphasises a community-based approach. It also introduces a pilot programme for comprehensive addiction treatment managed by the Ministry of Health.
The National Plan Sumar 2023-2026 aims to keep girls, boys, and young people away from vices and addictions. Sumar will promote social inclusion and holistic development through sports, arts, culture, and literacy activities. Led by the Ministry of Education and Science (MEC), this programme focuses on substance abuse prevention with an emphasis on life skills. The programme started serving the community in late 2024, with more than 200 people joining.
The launch event took place at the Ysaty School in Asunción, marking a significant step in expanding Sumar to all neighbourhoods of Asunción and the Central Department. According to the Minister of Interior, Enrique Riera, there are approximately 90,000 young people affected by drug addictions in these areas, making Sumar a crucial intervention.
What is the goal of Sumar?
“Our goal is to identify substance users early, provide them with necessary help, and steer them away from the path of addiction,” said Riera. To implement this, the government is deploying a coordinated effort involving the National Police, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education, with local volunteers in each community supporting Sumar activities.
Sumar will start with neighbourhood outreach in all 68 districts of Asunción. After that, it will move to the 19 municipalities of the Central Department. This neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood approach is central to the effectiveness of Sumar, promoting local participation and tailored intervention strategies.
New pilot programme
In the health component, the Ministry of Health announced the development of a new pilot programme within Sumar at the National Centre for Prevention and Treatment of Addictions (CENPTRA). This initiative introduces an innovative, intensive, outpatient, and specialised treatment model with a focus on clinical and psychosocial care.
Minister María Teresa Barán stressed that this approach represents the beginning of a public policy that aims to extend Sumar’s innovative treatment model nationwide. The new system will involve multidisciplinary teams including psychologists, psychiatrists, and case managers. It will offer individual, group, and pharmacological therapies customised to each patient’s needs.
An essential feature of Sumar is the case management system. The system will ensure continuous follow-up and prevent relapse, embodying the government’s commitment to long-term recovery support.
Blas Antonio Dubrez, director of Ysaty School, highlighted the urgency of addressing drug issues within educational institutions, calling on teachers and communities to collaborate and safeguard young people against the dangers of addiction.
The expansion of Sumar reaffirms the government’s dedication to tackling addiction through community engagement, comprehensive treatment, and strategic prevention. The initiative aims to significantly reduce drug dependency rates and improve the well-being of Paraguayan youth.
For more information about this program, check Sumar‘s website.
