UNODC and Iran Commemorate the 26 th of June "International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking'' in Tehran
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UNODC Representative, Leik Boonwaat, addressing the audience |
26 June 2014 -Every year on 26 June, the world celebrates the "International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking". Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987, this day serves as a reminder of the goals agreed to by Member States of creating an international society free of drug abuse.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Country Office (UNODC Iran) and the diplomatic community in Tehran joined the senior drug control authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran in commemorating the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on26 June 2014 in Tehran. The event was attended by a number of senior officials from the Iranian Police, Judiciary, executive branch, and members of Parliament.
UNODC Iran Representative, Leik Boonwaat, delivered the messages of the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, and Executive Director of UNODC, Mr. Yury Fedotov,on the occasion. Highlighting the major threat posed by illicit drugs to people's health and welfare, Mr. Boonwaat stressed that this challenge requires a coordinated response within and among countries."Peace, prosperity, security, rule of law and sustainable development could be reached only through joint cooperation in the region", he said.The Representative also informed the participants about UNODC Iran's plan for designing and launching a new Country Partnership Programme in Iran for 2015-2018.
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UNODC Representative with Deputy Secretary General of DCHQ, Mr. Alireza Jazini
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The Minister of Interior and Secretary General of the Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ) of Iran, H.E. Mr. Rahmani Fazli, called for closer cooperation by the international community with Iran in its fight against the challenges of drug trafficking, narco-terrorism and money laundering. "Iran is suffering from a lack of border control and enforcement equipment to face the drug trafficking organized networks at the borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan", he said.The international community's support to the Iranian drug control efforts needs substantial improvement to complement part of the Iranian significant financial inputs and human losses, added Minister Fazli.
Minister Fazli asked for the expansion of cooperation with UNODC and the Mini Dublin Group (MDG) on intelligence exchange on drug networks and kingpins, controlled delivery operations, and anti-money laundering. Regional terrorist organizations are directly linked with narco-traffickers and fuel insurgency, terrorism and instability while feeding from drug money, he reiterated. The minister also warned of the increasing use of maritime routes for drug trafficking, calling on UNODC to put this new threat as a priority in its future programme of cooperation with Iran and the regional states.
Furthermore, the Minister referred to the national drug policy, stating that Iran will continue a balanced approach to drug supply and drug demand reduction. Iran will continue the policy of helping drug users and people from all walks of life that are in danger of starting the abuse, through prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programmes, he said. The Minister also estimated that there are 1,350,000 opiate users in Iran and over 5,000,000 Iranians who are involved indirectly in drug economy. Mr. Fazli thanked the UNODC Representative for bridging the dialogue gap between Iran and the Mini Dublin Group, and called for further expansion of positive cooperation with the international community through UNODC Iran.
Also speaking at the event was the First Deputy President, H.E. Mr. Eshaq Jahangiri, who referred to the high volume of revenues gained by organized crime networks throughout the world. "Billions of dollars are earned by cultivation, production and trafficking of drugs in our region, while the volume of international assistance remains considerably low", he said, adding that international cooperation with Iran will be in line with the principles of common and shared responsibility. He further underlined that drug trafficking, extremism and terrorism are now closely linked and act as a destabilizing factor the region. Mr. Jahangiri asked the UNODC Representative to convey the Iranian nation's wish for stronger expansion of cooperation on drug control between Iran and the international donor community.
The event was concluded by setting on fire 50 tons of different types of drugs by the Iranian Police, surrounded by senior Iranian officials, representatives of the diplomatic community and UNODC Iran. The guests were informed by the authorities that another 50 tons of different types of drugs will be destroyed throughout the country on the occasion of the 26 th of June.
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On the same occasion, the 2014 World Drug Report was launched in Viennaon 26 June 2014 by the Under Secretary General and Executive Director of UNODC, Mr. Yuri Fedotov. At the launching, Mr. Fedotov appealed for a stronger focus on the health and human rights of all drug users, but particularly those who inject drugs and are living with HIV. Sustainable success in drug control required firm international commitment, he stressed, adding that a balanced and comprehensive approach addressing both supply and demand should be backed up by evidence-based responses focusing on prevention, treatment, social rehabilitation and integration.
"UNODC's theme for this year's International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking offers a message of hope: Drug use disorders are preventable and treatable", said Mr. Fedotov. On this occasion, "it is important to remember that drug use disorders are preventable and treatable. That, where there is help, there is also hope".
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