{
  "id": 6429476,
  "title": "Addiction Prevention Conference Again Overlooks Orihuela Costa",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/addiction-prevention-conference-again-overlooks-orihuela-costa",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T13:34:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Leader",
    "slug": "the-leader",
    "url": "https://theleader.info/2026/09/09/addiction-prevention-conference-again-overlooks-orihuela-costa/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Orihuela Council's Health Department is hosting its 11th Conference on Municipal Policies for the Prevention of Addictive Behaviour, but once again, Orihuela Costa residents will need to travel to the city to attend. The free event will be held at 5pm on September 15 at the María Moliner Library in Orihuela. Despite being advertised as a city-wide initiative, no sessions have been scheduled for the coastal area. Health councillor Irene Celdrán emphasized the conference's significance, stating that addiction prevention encompasses more than mere statistics, focusing on individuals, families, and overall societal well-being. The session will address alcohol misuse among youth through education, information, early intervention, and responsible decision-making. Renowned professionals from various fields, including healthcare, education, psychology, and public safety, will be present. Álvaro Botella, head of Orihuela's Community Prevention Unit for Addictive Behaviour, aimed to curb alcohol consumption among young Spaniards, a substance predominantly consumed by this demographic. Nonetheless, the selection of venue prompts a recurring question: why are crucial municipal conferences and public initiatives often absent from the Orihuela Costa? As the coast constitutes a significant portion of the municipality's population, including families and young individuals who could benefit from preventive programs, holding all such events in Orihuela city presents a barrier for those lacking private transportation or the time to travel the 35 km inland. For the council to ensure its prevention policies reach the entire municipality, future conferences should include sessions in the coastal region, rather than requiring coastal residents to journey inland.",
  "summary": "Orihuela Council’s Health Department has organised its 11th Conference on Municipal Policies for the Prevention of Addictive Behaviour—but once again, residents of the Orihuela Costa will have to travel into the city to participate. The free event will take place at 5pm on September 15 at the María Moliner Library in Orihuela. Despite being promoted […] The post Addiction Prevention Conference…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}