Exhibition-contest of photo and posters "Let’s say no to drugs!"

Art Gallery
Time: 17:00
Organizer: State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan Republic

On the 27th of January 2011 in the Art Gallery of the Museum Center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism was held exhibition-contest of photo, graphics and posters named “Let’s say no to drugs!” An exhibition which opened in September last year included 87 works by students of the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Art, the Azerbaijan State Academy of Art and members of the Azerbaijan Union of Artists. According to a special report by the UN, there are 26 million people in the world who suffer from addiction to drugs. One in twenty people aged between 15 and 64 has used drugs at least once in their lives. Unfortunately Azerbaijan is not unaffected by this problem either. According to official figures, there are 24,000 registered drug users in Azerbaijan; unofficially there may be ten times more. The shame is that one-third of these people are students. The whole world is confronted by this rising danger. Every year a great deal of money is spent on prevention campaigns, advertising videos and various forms of publicity. To the same end, the Azerbaijan State Customs Committee, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Union of Artists announced a competition, “Let’s say no to drugs!” Speaking at the exhibition, Ali Hasanov, First Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Commission on the struggle against drug use and the illegal circulation of narcotics; Abulfaz Garayev, Minister of Culture and Tourism; Lt General Aiden Aliyev, Chairman of the State Customs Committee and Aga Ali Ibrahimov, Secretary of the Union of Artists noted that an effective legislative base had been established in the republic and state associations had organised appropriate events. Drug use is not, however, a problem affecting one particular group of people, it affects all humanity. Every one of us must combat this danger. Information was also given about the harm caused by drugs to children and youth.The exhibition included installations and sculptures. The best works were awarded prizes. In the poster category, Hashim Elchiyev came first, Mirazer Abdullayev was second and Ramin Mammadov was third. In photography, first was Aynur Aliyeva, Sabina Nazirova came second and third place went to Sevda Zeynalova. All winners were given honorary diplomas and valuable gifts.