New science shows that exposure to toxins prenatally or early in life can have a devastating and lifelong effect on the developing architecture of the brain. Exposures to many chemicals have much more severe consequences for embryos, fetuses, and young children, whose brains are still developing, than for adults. Substances that can have a truly poisonous effect on the brain—known as neurotoxins—can be found in environmental chemicals such as lead and mercury, in recreational drugs such as alcohol, nicotine, and cocaine, and in prescription medications, such as some acne treatments. Most neurotoxin exposure is preventable. This report from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child summarizes the complex scientific research on which toxins present the greatest risk at various stages of brain development, addresses popular misconceptions about the relative risk and safety of some common substances, and suggests policies that can help reduce the enormous human and economic costs of exposure to toxins during development.

Retrieved from http://developingchild.harvard.edu, 30/03/10

The European Drug Prevention Prize, launched in 2004, is awarded every two years to three drug prevention projects that fully involve young people, either in the development and implementation of activities, decision-making, project management and/or evaluation.

The Pompidou Group awards this Prize every two years in order to highlight good-quality drug prevention projects that have proved success in practice in involving young people. In general, it aims to encourage the development of drug prevention work that involves young people.

For more information you can visit the Pompidou Group website.