Youth of Turkmenistan Joins the Observance of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2018

This year's International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (WDD) celebration was marked by outstanding public events organized in Ashgabat. The events were held in the context of Joint National Agencies Action Plan with regard to organizing and carrying out awareness raising activities dedicated to WDD.

More than 500 representatives of government organizations, law enforcement agencies, media, international and civil society organizations gathered to mark the WDD in Berkarar, the biggest trade and business center in Ashgabat on 23 June 2018. The youth event was a wonderful platform for people, artists, singers, NGOs and young people - to raise public awareness on risks and consequences of drug abuse.

On 20 and 21 June, in children campuses of Chuli resort in Ashgabat suburb, UNODC Program Office in Turkmenistan provided supporting to the Ministry of Interior in conducting an information campaign built on use of sports as tool against crime, violence and drug putting together 400 children and adolescents.  During the campaign children participated in the concert, quiz sessions, flash-mob, drawing competition and received prizes. 

The quiz sessions, facilitated by the civil society organizations, allowed the audience to become aware of the drugs related problems, encouraged the young people to enlighten each other on risks of drug abuse.

Furthermore, the student conference, dedicated to WDD and organized by the Narcology Department of the State Medical University on 26 June, has become a welcomed and useful tradition for medical students and UNODC PO. The conference was followed by a number of students' presentations and discussions touching sensitive issues related to drug abuse, rehabilitation, and combined UN and governmental efforts to combat drug-related problems. All student speakers got the memorable T-shirts with logo of WDD campaign. 

Ministry of Health, Ministry of Interior of Turkmenistan, local governance, Red Crescent, UNFPA, CADAP/EU and civil society organizations were the partners of the WDD celebration this year.

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For more information

Please, contact Ms. Dariya Kudabaeva

Communications and External Affairs Officer, UNODC ROCA

Tel.: (+998 71) 120-80-50

E-mail: dariya.kudabaeva[at]un.org