UNODC SUPPORTS KNOWLEDGE SHARING AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL IN THE FIELD OF DRUG DEMAND REDUCTION
TEHRAN, 8 February 2015 (UNIC)-Representative of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Iran, Leik Boonwaat's praised the Non Governmental Organizations' efforts in drug demand reduction, here on Sunday.
"Knowledge sharing and consultation among active NGOs in the field of drug demand reduction, could contribute substantially to the success of demand reduction activities," he said
Addressing the opening ceremony of "The Regional Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) Management Training and Consultation", 08- 10 February 2015, the UN official said the Iranian Drug Control Headquarters has been encouraging the involvement of NGOs in drug demand reduction and harm reduction issues.
Mr. Boonwaat said "Asian Drug Demand Reduction/ Harm Reduction NGOs Association (ADNA) was established in 2014 with the support of the UNODC to establish a structure for promoting and supporting active NGOs in the field of drug demand reduction in the region and thus strengthen the responses in this regard at regional level."
"The present training is aimed to train the treatment experts from the regional countries with the support of the ADNA on principles and modalities of ATS". UNODC official said.
"ATS, constitute the second most commonly used group of illicit substances worldwide and Central and South-West Asia are emerging as new markets." Boonwaat said adding that considering this rising trend, apposite respond should be utilized.
Organization of this event is jointly supported by the ADNA, the Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ), the Iranian State Welfare Organization (SWO) of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as part of the Regional Programme of Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries.
NGO representatives and Drug Demand Reduction experts from Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will participate in this three-day training at the Iranian Centre for International Conferences.