Recreation Center Research Articles

СОСТАВЛЕНИЕ КАРТЫ ДИНАМИКИ РАСТИТЕЛЬНОГО ПОКРОВА ПО ДАННЫМ ДИСТАНЦИОННОГО ЗОНДИРОВАНИЯ ЗЕМЛИ

Preliminary results of assessing the nature and dynamics of changes in the vegetation cover of the Alakol territory based on Earth remote sensing (ERS) data are presented. The need to use geographic information systems (GIS) that meet the modern level of development of science and technology is considered. The results indicate the restoration of vegetation cover after the completion of the construction of boarding houses and many recreation centers. Good restoration of grass cover was noted.

Crowd Control Strategies in Casinos in Lagos State, Nigeria

A casino is a recreation center, one of our society's leisure amenities. Therefore, a casino is a public location where guests can play various games of chance and gambling to entertain themselves. From previous reviews as shown in the study, casinos ought to have various crowd control strategies available to avert the risks associated with overcrowding. However, it depends on how effective the designers and other building professionals are willing to implement these strategies to make the building more conducive. The study examined crowd control strategies in recreational facilities in Lagos state, Nigeria, with a view to understanding why these facilities were created for maximum profit returns, over the safety of the users. To achieve this, a structured questionnaire was used for data collection, and a descriptive approach was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that the grand mean value of 4.57 was more significant than the cut-off mean value of 3.5, indicating that measures implemented for crowd control in the casino were ineffective. The findings imply that the crowd control strategies implemented have less effect on casino users. Thus, inadequate provision of crowd control strategies puts users at potential risk in the casinos. Casinos should provide safety measures by design from the onset or as a precaution after establishment.

The effects of internal displacement on the host border regions (case study of the Lviv Region of Ukraine)

The study objective is to analyse the effect of the flow of internally displaced persons (IDPs) on the development of the Lviv Oblast – the largest region of Ukraine bordering on the EU. The article was based on available statistical data (most statistical data in Ukraine under martial law is not made public), data from sociological research of international organisations, and other official public sources of information. The study results suggest that the Lviv Oblast has become the main Ukrainian transit region on the route of refugees from Ukraine across the border, as well as one of the main oblasts accepting IDPs. At least 5 million people have passed the oblast in transit, and the number of IDPs reached its maximum in the period May-June 2022. Most of the people arrived in the city of Lviv, other large cities, as well as recreation and tourist centres. IDPs have had a positive effect on the sectors of housing construction and tourism in the oblast, and contributed to an increase in the budget income of separate territorial hromadas. Approximately 230 enterprises have also been relocated to the oblast. Most IDPs are planning or expect to return to their former place of residence, although with each month of war duration, the share of people integrating with local communities and planning to permanently remain in the territory of the Lviv Oblast increases. In spatial terms, the flow of IDPs considerably exceeded the level of urbanisation of the oblast, and accelerated the development of the Lviv urban agglomeration. In the future perspective it may contribute to an increase in territorial disproportions between large cities in the oblast, with better developed hromadas around Lviv, mountain and pre-montane towns on the one hand, and depressive hromadas in the east and south-east of the oblast on the other.

The Imperative of Establishing the Mediterranean–Dead Sea Channel: Meeting the Demands of Escalating PV Electricity Production

The current landscape of electricity generation in Israel is significantly influenced by a marked increase in solar power output, primarily from photovoltaic (PV) facilities and plants. The rapid growth of solar energy within Israel’s self-sustained energy grid presents challenges for maintaining frequency stability and voltage equilibrium, limiting feasible solar electricity generation to approximately 12–14%. To expand these limits, integrating electrical storage solutions becomes imperative. An optimal proposal, tailored to Israel’s geographic location, involves constructing a conduit linking the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. This initiative would include the installation of reservoirs and hydroelectric stations along the descent to the Dead Sea. Implementing such hydroelectric stations can help mitigate the impacts on frequency and voltage stability caused by the fluctuating nature of solar electricity production. Additionally, it can facilitate peak consumption management in the evening through hydroelectric generation, capable of delivering up to 320–330 MW of electrical power even in initial project phases. Furthermore, this strategic conduit offers additional benefits, such as enhancing PV electricity generation potential to 25–30% without exacerbating frequency control issues, producing an average of (150–180) × 103 m3 of desalinated water daily, and counteracting the steady decline of the Dead Sea, which currently recedes by about 1 m annually. Moreover, there are ancillary benefits from extensive desert area landscaping and the establishment of recreational health centers and resorts. A thorough analysis is imperative to estimate the potential increase in solar electricity generation, considering the unpredictable nature of PV outcomes. Additionally, it is crucial to explore the feasibility of using the Dead Sea for brine discharge from electrical hydro-storage plants as a key aspect of this comprehensive evaluation.

Repositioning of Tourism and Recreational Industry in Africa: The Case of Shrines and Sacred Places in Nigeria

Heritage preservation brings a people’s history and historic places back to their collective consciousness. Countries that have adopted tourism as a means of sustaining their economies understand that their heritage is the very essence and fabric of the people’s existence and identity. It was discovered that despite the importance of this cultural heritage to national economic development and identity preservation, the majority of Africans have abandoned African traditional religion, Shrines have been left to crumble and sacred places destroyed. Many traditional rituals have fallen into disuse and various cult objects and symbols of African traditional religion are being eroded and modified as a result of the onslaught of combined forces of the agents of religious change. The work finds out that traditional shrines and sacred places can act as a hook to attract tourists. Thus, exploring the traditional shrines and sacred places in Nigeria to promote tourism cannot be over-emphasized. This can be envisaged by analyzing its impact in various areas of life. Traditional shrines and sacred places if well preserved can attract visitors to a destination who spend money within the community, enhancing the local economy and supporting the local economy through restaurants, hotels, and other tourism-selected businesses. The high inflow of tourists and day visitors into the community during such occasions contributes immensely to the economic empowerment of people through the injection of tourist expenditure into the community. Keywords: Shrines, Sacred places, tourism and recreational centres

Local Governance Structures and Their Role in Mobilising Community Action: A Case of Recreational Facilities in Mining Towns in the Copperbelt Province

This paper explores the role of local governance structures at community level in mobilising community action in the redevelopment of recreational facilities in former mine townships in the Copperbelt Province. These facilities are experiencing a management quandary resulting from the privatisation of the mining conglomerate, ZCCM, in the late 1990s. This paper argues that every society has a way of reorganising itself when such vacuums in management occur. Growing literature places this research agenda within “self-organising”, “co-production”, “self-managing”, etc. Underpinning these self-organising processes are local governance structures devised by communities themselves, which include various actors being involved in the decision making and management processes for community development. In modern societies, the role of these structures is often underplayed and only realised when a vacuum appears in the management as is the case for formerly mine-owned recreational facilities in Copperbelt towns. A multi-case study approach was adopted in this mixed method research to determine the communities’ ability to regenerate the dilapidated recreation centres. The research found that the communities had the social capital required to drive the regeneration process, exhibited by the benevolence shown to each other, the willingness to participate in activities at the recreation centres and the availability of self-organising associations. Additionally, the local structures were able to self-organise and participate in decision making and management required for successful community development.

THE IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT POLITICAL DECISIONS ON ACCESS TO RECREATIONAL FACILITIES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE LEISURE PREFERENCES OF YOUNG PEOPLE

Purpose. Determining the impact of government policy in the field of applicable restrictions on access to recreational facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic on leisure behaviours (on the example of physical activity and the use of social media) of young people attending secondary schools and higher education facilities in Kraków (Poland).Method. The main research method used in the research process was a diagnostic online targeted population survey using the questionnaire technique. The research was conducted between 29 January and 26 March 2021 on a sample of secondary school and university students in Kraków (with particular emphasis on students from the University of Physical Education in Kraków). The survey resulted in 1,714 correctly completed questionnaires. An auxiliary research method was using focus group interviews conducted via the Internet.Findings. Government policies regarding the restrictions introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic affected the leisure activities of young people. They were generally less physically active than prior to the pandemic. In addition, the restrictions affected the selected forms of physical activity in free time – young people preferred mainly walks and hiking. At the same time, most of the respondents indicated spending more time on social media than they did before the pandemic. They used it to maintain social contacts with family and friends, as well as for entertainment, educational and professional purposes.Research conclusions and limitations. The empirical research concerns only secondary school and university students from Kraków and covers only the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland.Practical implications. The results of the research can be used by decision-making institutions in the scope of introducing restrictions on the functioning of the State (e.g. the Ministry of Health), as they indicate consequences of specific restrictions. The article may also be helpful for institutions organising leisure time, such as the Society for the Promotion of Physical Culture, the Polish Scouting Association, sports and recreation centres or local cultural centres. It will enable them to adapt their offer to leisure behaviours preferred by young people during lockdowns.Originality. The study of leisure behaviours relates to the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, making it novel and not previously studied or analysed.Type of paper. Article presenting the results of an empirical study.

Stress Management Strategies and Teachers’ Effectiveness in Public Senior Secondary Schools in Rivers State

This paper addresses the issue of stress and its management and control, and how this can affect the effectiveness of teachers in public senior secondary schools in Rivers States. The paper further explains what stress is—that stress is the disequilibrium of the body metabolism, either in the physical, emotional or mental state and teachers’ stressors, which are work overload, lack of promotions, late payments of salaries, low salaries and poor work environment, etc. and how all these stressors and others, if not properly managed, can make teachers inefficient in their responsibility of imparting knowledge to the students of the public senior secondary schools in Rivers State. It also addresses how this stress could truly weigh the teachers down, with sickness, high blood pressure and even death, if not managed. And when teachers are stressed up, they cannot be effective. Strategies of managing stress among teachers as enumerated in this paper, for their optimum productivity, among others, are exercise, taking a time out with loved ones, relaxation, etc. This paper makes it bold that managing stress is very important and necessary among the teachers of the public senior secondary schools in Rivers State, for their wellness. This would make them vibrant, fit and bounce back for their effective productivity. Among other suggestions are employing teachers’ assistants to ease workload, building recreational centres for teachers and increasing teachers’ salaries. The government should also promote them promptly.

Organizational-Economic Measures and Tools for the Multifunctional Use of Aquaculture Facilities in Ukraine

Introduction. The world is aware of the importance of preserving natural resources and is shifting its focus to a social perspective, reflecting the acceptance of sustainable development principles. Aquaculture management must consider the impacts on the ecosystem and community, ensuring a balance in the use of water resources. Aquaculture can become a sustainable way to generate economic resources, and has recreational and cultural applications. This study examines the possibilities of using aquaculture in educational and cultural activities, public leisure, aesthetic education, and the development of park areas, as well as for other multifunctional purposes that contribute to improving water environment management and creating new ecological jobs.
 Aim and tasks. The study aims to develop a conceptual vision of multifunctional aquaculture facilities as innovative and recreational centres for new jobs and the development of the local economy, considering socio-ecological and economic motivational mechanisms and effects that have not been previously investigated.
 Results. The variability of directions for the development of aquaculture activities in the context of implementing marine strategies, Sustainable Development Goals, and reduction of the negative consequences of water pollution due to military actions. Socio-ecological and economic motivational mechanisms have been developed to form aquaculture facilities as centres of a green corridor or a concentration of ecologically safe zones to integrate them into urban and rural spaces. Measures for integrating aquaculture into tourism activities and the scientific concept of the concentration of ecologically safe territories with an aquaculture core in terms of organizational measures and possible effects are proposed.
 Conclusions. A conceptual vision of multifunctional aquaculture facilities with the functions of reproduction, education and cultural-recreational enlightenment in terms of scientific and educational, decorative and circular facilities was proposed. The scientific concept of the concentration of ecologically safe territories with an aquaculture core in terms of organizational measures and possible effects was proposed.

Site Suitability Assessment for a Health and Recreation Center’s Public Space, Rangsit, Pathum Thani

The objectives of this study are to explore the site suitability for the Rangsit City Health and Recreation Center, to analyze the potentials and the limitations of the locations in identifying an appropriate site, and then finalizing a conceptual design for the Rangsit City Health and Recreation Center’s Public Space in Pathum Thani province. The study methodology included a review of the literature to establish criteria for analyzing the location and developing the proposal of the concept design and a cadastral survey of two potential sites,in accordance with the policy of Rangsit City Municipality. The first site area was located in Soi Rangsit Nakhon Nayok 45, and the second was located in Soi Rangsit Nakhon Nayok 39. In analyzing the suitability of the two sites, the study considered location and accessibility, as well as environmental factors conducive to convenience and safety, wellbeing, recreation, and awareness. In comparing the two areas, the analysis showed a strong potential for Soi Rangsit Nakhon Nayok 39. to be a health and recreation center, as it met criteria regarding context of location, access, and linkage. The site can be accessed from several ways as well as easily connected to other public areas in the neighborhood. The surrounding area is open, well drained, and the rectangular area makes it easy to design and maintain safety. In terms of concept design, three main concepts were emphasized: Connect, Cool, and Clear. Connect focused on creating spaces with easy connection for either indoor or outdoor activities. Cool required the design to fit with local climate as a means of creating a comfortable state of mind. Lastly, Clear highlighted open spaces and uses shapes and lines which are easy to understand based on a concept of universal design, to facilitate access for people of all groups and ages.

Efficiency of improving health of children and adolescents while staying in summer recreation center

Objective. To assess the effectiveness of health improvement during the vacation period of summer recreation campaign based on the assessment of the health status of children in a summer recreation center.
 Materials and methods. A total of 377 children and adolescents aged 7 to 15 years (203 girls and 174 boys) were examined in conditions of a twenty-four-hour stay at the children's recreation center during the period of 21 days. The effectiveness of recreation was evaluated on the basis of an analysis of anthropometric, physiometric indicators, medical documentation of children’s health, and a survey of parents about the results of recreation.
 Results. High efficiency of improvement of the health was revealed in 95 % of vacationers, low efficiency was noted in 4 %, no efficiency – in 1 % of children. The maximum dynamics of body weight indicators was observed in 1.8 % of children. A positive trend of transition to the group of average physical development was observed in 3 children with body weight deficiency and in 4 – with excess body weight. All the parents interviewed, positively assessed the form of activity of the health institution.
 Conclusions. An active involvement of children of different age in children's recreation organizations will improve the level of health of schoolchildren. The participation of parents or legal representatives in the study of the effectiveness of summer recreation campaign will allow adjusting the principles of organization and long-term effects.

ANTHROPOGENIC CENTERS AS INDICATORS OF THE ECOLOGICAL STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

At the beginning of the XXI century. the landscape and ecologically destabilized environment of any region, including Ukraine, is characterized by abnormally rapid changes in the structural organization of geocomponents and landscape complexes and the relationships between them. As a result, new phenomena arise in the reaction of these natural structures to external, mainly anthropogenic, influences, which lead to unpredictable trends in the development of the environment. In such conditions, various anthropogenic centers are actively developing, among which the role and importance of recreational ones is also increasing.
 As previous studies show, anthropogenic centers are the most real indicators of the current ecological state of the environment. Knowledge of the processes and phenomena that develop in recreational centers and geoecotones is relevant and promising. On the one hand, they reveal the causes and mechanisms of existing trends of recreational transformations at the local level, and on the other, taking into account their indicator value, they open the way to managing the state of recreational landscapes and, partially, the environment in general
 In the conditions of today's unstable environment, anthropogenic centers and processes in them are gaining widespread development, as a manifestation of new landscape, energy, substance and informational connections. The goal is to investigate the formation process and substantiate the significance of anthropogenic centers as indicators of environmental development. In the research process, a constructive landscape approach, the principles of complexity and natural-anthropogenic coexistence were applied; methods - retrospective, natural analogies, modeling, GIS technologies. By the anthropogenic center we understand the territory within which, under the influence of human activity, processes develop that lead to a change in the structural organization of geocomponents and landscape complexes. It is shown that the diversity of anthropogenic centers and the processes that develop in them depend not only on the type of economic activity, but also on the mosaic of landscape complexes on the basis of which anthropogenic centers are formed. On the example of the model region - Middle Pobuzhzhia, the process of formation and structure of recreational centers - recreational centers in the coastal zone of the South Bug River and residential centers in forest landscapes were studied. Taking into account the indicator value of processes developing in anthropogenic centers, the possibilities of using these peculiar landscape structures in the development of regional projects of rational nature management are considered. It is noted that in the future it is necessary to intensify the research of anthropogenic centers and their processes, center boundaries and paradynamic relationships with the environment.
 Keywords: anthropogenic landscape, anthropogenic center, processes, indicators, structure, environment, rational nature management.

WIT FITS: Effects of Weight Stigma Intervention on Exercise Professionals’ Attitudes Toward Fatness: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Exercise professionals often hold anti-fat attitudes, which contribute to weight stigma and discrimination in physical activity contexts. This study examined the effects of an online weight stigma intervention on exercise professionals’ attitudes toward fatness. Participants were 105 exercise professionals who were employed at least part-time at university recreation centers in the United States. In this randomized controlled trial, participants were randomized into an intervention online course to decrease weight stigma or a control online course to learn about communication techniques to enhance motivation for physical activity. Attitudes about fatness were assessed at pre- and post-course using the Fat Attitudes Assessment Toolkit (FAAT). There were significant increases in the fat acceptance composite score in the intervention group compared to the control group, suggesting recreation center staff who completed the intervention WIT FITS course experienced more positive evaluations of fat people as a result of the intervention.

Analisis Fungsi Perpustakaan dalam Pendidikan di Indonesia

The function of the library is as an education center, information center and recreation center and as a medium and means of providing knowledge and insight into science. The aim is to arouse people's interest in reading, encourage the expressiveness and imagination of library users, and provide understanding to users to be able to maintain and care for collections of library materials well. Apart from that, the function of the library is also as a forum for students to increase their interest in reading with the aim of expanding their insight, whether it be religious, scientific or social knowledge, apart from student learning achievements, apart from functioning for students, libraries can also be used by teachers in schools as a place to look for reference material for teaching materials and a place to find solutions to subject matter. The aim of this research is to find out how the library functions in education. The results of the research show that there are several studies which explain that the function of the library is very important for students at the elementary, middle, high school and even at the tertiary level. This can be proven based on the results Researcher interviews with several students stated that with a library students can easily get information, get solutions related to lecture material and a place to translate foreign books.

ECONOMIC LOSSES FROM THE DISRUPTION OF THE TOURIST SEASON IN THE VILLAGE OF SICHAVKA OF THE LYMAN (COMINTERNIV) DISTRICT

The Ukrainian economy and the tourism sector are experiencing the biggest crisis in recent decades. Inbound tourism practically ceased to exist. Due to the war between Russia and Ukraine, the holiday season was not opened this year either on the Sea of Azov or the Black Sea. The war destroyed the holiday season by 90%. A large part of the sea coast is occupied by the enemy, and in places where there is access to the sea, the risk of shelling and mines remains. Odesa regional military administration and Odesa city hall decided not to open sea beaches - due to mine danger. The mining of the Black Sea is a huge problem for both people and the environment, now there are several hundred mines in the water area - up to six hundred and some of them are Ukrainian, stolen in Sevastopol by the Russians back in 2014 after the occupation of Crimea. Travel companies in Ukraine almost completely stopped business on February 24. Air flights stopped and hotels accepted displaced people. The tourism industry, which, according to the State Statistics Service, brought 3% of GDP to the budget of Ukraine, and according to expert estimates, up to 7%, has suffered almost the biggest losses since the beginning of the war. In addition to the absence of vacationers, losses are also caused by enemy ammunition. Russian mines hit the shores of the sea, detonating and damaging first-line recreation centers, cafes and bars. In May of this year, it was planned to allow tourists to sunbathe on some beaches and began actively offering accommodation services. However, at dawn on June 6, it became known about the partial destruction of the Kakhovskaya HPP dam The destruction of the dam led to a huge ecological disaster. As a result of the detonation, a huge area was flooded - tons of dirt, poisonous substances along with the ruins of buildings and thousands of dead animals were carried into the Black Sea. Tourists who came to the sea a few days before the explosion of the Kakhovskaya HPP witnessed frogs jumping out of the sea, wild ducks swimming, trees and driftwood. Here and there there were islands of reeds on the shore. There were green spots on the surface of the water. After what they saw, vacationers began to cancel hotel reservations en masse and returned home. At the same time, losses to the hotel business amounted to hundreds of thousands of hryvnias. Between the cities of Yuzhne and Koblevо, there are 29 tourist accommodation facilities. These are collective accommodation facilities located in the recreation area of the village. Sychivka, each of which can accommodate 200 people on average. Sychavka is a village in the Lymanskyi (Cominternivskyi) district of the Odesa region, which is located on the shore of the Black Sea. The main advantages of recreation in Sychavka are the proximity of the Black Sea, a sandy beach strip, a gentle descent into the sea convenient for children, and the complete absence of industrial enterprises. There are no five-star hotels in Sychavka, but there are several recreation centers right on the shore of the Black Sea. If desired, vacationers can rent rooms in detached houses or cottages. According to preliminary estimates, the economic losses from the disruption of the tourist season in this area amount to approximately 300,000,000 hryvnias.

Strengthening subject recruitment and retention of the older Black population in Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias studies through community outreach

AbstractBackgroundRepresentation in dementia research is extremely important in creating effective prevention methods, interventions, and treatments across all populations (Lennon et. al 2022; Barnes 2022). One of the main goals set by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) for the years 2020‐2025, is to disseminate information to several outlets including older adult‐support organizations about research and interventions. The NYU Healthy Brain Aging and Sleep Center (HBASC) has successfully built relationships with community organizations in an effort to contribute to meeting the NIA’s goal using the PEACE method. We evaluated pre‐post subject retention rate, after instigation of PEACE.MethodIn 2019, HBASC began recruitment for a longitudinal study focusing on sleep and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in healthy older Blacks (ages 60‐75 years) in the New York Metropolitan Area using community outreach/education as a method of recruitment (i.e. partnering with senior recreation centers, local churches, etc.). Study team members implemented the PEACE method in their outreach efforts. Team members practiced Patience, when accommodating organizations’ needs and requests, Empathy, for the members of the communities they were working in, Appreciation, for the organizations’ aid in reaching the community, Cultural competence, when planning or participating in community events, and prioritized Educating the community, on AD and other related dementias before recruitment.ResultWithin the first year of recruitment, ∼77% vs. ∼23% of subjects were successfully recruited from the community favoring the PEACE method. When the PEACE method was successfully executed, the study team gained the trust of members of the community and retained ∼ 70% of subjects recruited from the community. Older Blacks trusted the HBASC study team because the PEACE method demonstrates dedication to the community. This in turn increases the likelihood of follow‐up response in longitudinal ADRD studies.ConclusionCollaborating directly with community organizations, is an efficient method not only of recruitment, but also retention of older Black subjects in ADRD studies. Collaborations with well‐known trusted community partners can establish a strong relationship between the Black community and research.

Spinning Circle at the Mill

Spinning Circle at the Mill

An Overview of Drug Abuse: Causes, Effects, and Control Measures

This study was conducted to assess the causes, effects, and control measures of drug abuse. The review was composed of literature search from databases (Google Scholar, Science Direct, Springer, Scopus and PubMed). Major findings from this study includes:
 
 a) Causes of Drug Abuse: The causes of drug abuse varies from social, interpersonal, cultural, environmental, and family factors. People abuse drugs due to pleasure derived from it. Drug abuse can be socially learned through drug use by peer group members, exposure to offers to use, and easy access to drugs. Pressure from friends that abuse drugs including their frequent escalation of drug experience may appeal others to start the use of drugs. Curiosity arising from recurrent references to drugs by public media generate curiosity for having a personal experience of the drugs. Growing up in a single-parent family, lack of parental support or supervision as well as low involvement with the child, and exposure of children to elders in the family who take drugs can promote drug use. Frustration and depression could make some people to take drugs to experience relief or relief from pain mostly from a prolonged use of pain-relieving drugs prescribed by a doctor.
 b) Effects of Drug Abuse: The signs or harmful effects of drug abuse could be physical, emotional, family dynamics, school behaviours, and social problems. They include cardiovascular disease; abnormalities in brain structure and function; respiratory problems; weakened immune system; insomnia; reduction in libido or sexual dysfunction; anxiety and irritability; loss or increase in appetite; and poor judgment. Different crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, and rape have been identified with young people under the influence of drugs. Family dynamics will reflect in the form of secretiveness, withdrawing from family, starting arguments, and breaking rules. For the school behaviours, the teenager will begin to play truancy, display discipline problems, decline in grades, decreased interest, many absences, and subsequently withdrawal from school. In terms of social problems, the teenager will begin to have problems with the law, have new friends, abnormal request for money, changes to less conventional styles in dress and music.
 c) Control Measures for Drug Abuse: Effective drug prevention programs should involve the family, schools, communities, and the media. This includes creating healthy home environment (functional family communication or interaction, parents taking extra measures to monitor the activities of their children including their associations, reduce child’s exposure to drug users in the family). Government should provide easy and affordable access to rehabilitation centres, implement effective addiction counselling and prevention programmes, provide policies that would address the wider availability of drugs in the society, create job opportunities for youth to become self-reliant; develop effective awareness/campaign programs on drug abuse; establish recreational centres; and finally religiosity can prevent people from using drugs even if they are exposed to drugs in the environment.

Geochemistry and mineralogy of muds and thermal waters from mud volcanoes in the NW Caribbean Coast of Colombia and their potential for pelotherapy

Mud volcanoes in northwestern Colombia are used by local people as inexpensive recreation and wellness centres, especially for pelotherapy. However, the potential therapeutic value of the muds and thermal waters released by these volcanoes has not been fully investigated. The main objective of this research is to determine the potential therapeutic value of the solid and liquid fractions of the muds sampled from nine mud volcanoes located along the northwestern Caribbean coast of Colombia through geochemical and mineralogical analysis. An evaluation of the granulometric characteristics was also carried out. The presence of a hypertonic saline environment created by secondary volcanic processes is indicated by the thermal fluid fraction. The mineral composition of the muds is dominated by quartz, phyllosilicates (kaolinite, smectite, illite and chlorite), feldspar, carbonates (dolomite, calcite) and a significant amorphous component. Based on the composition of the clay fraction, three distinct groups can be distinguished: (i) kaolinite-rich, (ii) illite-rich, and (iii) chlorite-rich. These muds are suitable for use by the local population due to the extremely low levels of contaminants harmful to human health, such as potentially toxic elements, nitrates, nitrites or fluorides. The results of this study suggest that the muds and thermal waters released by these mud volcanoes have potential therapeutic value. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to investigate the specific mechanisms by which these muds and waters can be used in medical practice.

New public management and aquatic and recreation centre planning and decision-making processes

ABSTRACT Rationale/Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore how new public management (NPM) components influence the planning and decision-making of local government aquatic and recreation centre (ARCs) development. Methodology: Two case studies were conducted in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Data collection comprised documents (n = 264) and semi-structured interviews (n = 19) to understand the real-life experiences of people involved in ARC planning and decision-making. Deductive analysis was used to identify how NPM components influenced the ARC planning and decision-making process. Findings: ARC planners were primarily driven by financial outputs. Results identified four of the seven NPM components are active in the planning and decision-making across both cases. These include management skills, output controls, creating competition and resource efficiency. Practical implications: From a theoretical perspective, the findings suggest that resource efficiency decisions were prioritised in the ARC decision-making process. Local governments need to consider their motivations towards achieving financial efficiencies and the subsequent impacts on ARC provision. This approach influences local governments’ capacity to address social planning objectives. Research contribution: Local governments in Melbourne, Australia employ NPM principles in their ARC planning and decision-making practices.