DCHQ and UNICEF Join Forces to Combat Childhood Addiction: A New Initiative for Healthier Futures
In a significant move towards combating drug addiction among the youth, Brigadier General Hossein Zolfaqari, Secretary General of the Iranian Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ), alongside Dorina Andreev-Jitaro, UNICEF Representative in Iran, emphasized the urgent need for tailored educational programs aimed at preventing addiction among children and teenagers. This initiative was a focal point during their recent meeting, where they discussed collaborative efforts to enhance drug prevention strategies.
During the meeting held on Tuesday, Zolfaqari praised UNICEF’s impactful measures, particularly in the areas of parenting education and training programs aimed at counselors, academics, and health professionals in selected provinces. He stated, “We are currently developing a set of guidelines centered around eight main topics for the treatment of drug addiction,” as reported by Mehr news agency.
In his remarks, Zolfaqari highlighted the importance of previous collaborations between DCHQ and UNICEF, expressing a strong commitment to further cooperation with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and member associations to enhance UNICEF’s educational programs in targeted regions.
Additionally, he announced plans to establish a regional center for the treatment of drug abuse disorders in Iran, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). This center aims to strengthen joint efforts in combating drug addiction and provide a platform for sharing experiences between Iran and UNICEF, which can then be communicated to esteemed international organizations.
The role of education in preventing addiction was a key theme in Zolfaqari’s address. He proposed the creation of a joint committee dedicated to drug prevention, prioritizing collaborative initiatives such as the training of trainers. Here are some of the highlighted points from his proposal:
- Development of a comprehensive cooperative model between DCHQ and UNICEF.
- Clarification of the responsibilities of various stakeholders, including institutions, ministries, and families.
- Implementation of specific provincial measures to enhance drug prevention efforts.
Furthermore, Zolfaqari emphasized the importance of existing motivations, capacities, and public involvement in executing significant actions against drug addiction. He stated that the objective is to create platforms to maximize the use of these existing resources.
He praised UNICEF’s initiatives in Iran, which have focused on empowering individuals through positive parenting, preventing addiction within prison educational centers, improving mental health, and providing training for NGOs and their leaders. Zolfaqari noted that these efforts have shown promising results.
In an exciting development, DCHQ and UNICEF are set to publish a comprehensive book outlining guidelines and protocols for addiction treatment. Zolfaqari expressed a strong desire to strengthen ties with UNICEF, stating, “We seek to further boost ties with UNICEF.”
In response, Nielson commended DCHQ’s contributions, acknowledging that the successful implementation of these initiatives would have been nearly impossible without their support. Over the past few years, UNICEF has rolled out various measures aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of youth within its target demographic.
Nielson referred to the MASERAT or APSWEC (Adolescent Psychosocial Wellbeing and Empowerment Centre) program, which is designed to assist at-risk adolescents in developing resilience and self-care practices against social harms, including drug abuse and HIV. She confirmed that this program has been executed in collaboration with DCHQ, producing positive results that inspire both organizations to broaden its application across the nation as a long-term goal. The program, developed by DCHQ, focuses on several critical areas:
- Prevention of drug addiction.
- Treatment options for those affected by addiction.
- Harm reduction strategies.
- Combating the entry and supply of drugs.
In conclusion, the partnership between DCHQ and UNICEF represents a multifaceted approach to tackling the pressing issue of drug addiction among the youth in Iran. By focusing on education, community involvement, and international cooperation, both organizations are poised to make a significant impact in the fight against addiction. The upcoming initiatives, including the publication of guidelines and the expansion of successful programs, are steps towards a healthier future for Iranian youth.
