Message from the Representative, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Country Office Iran

To the Annual Meeting of the Narcotic Anonymous in Iran

16 February 2006

I am honoured to send this message to your very eminent annual gathering of the Narcotic Anonymous in Iran. You are gathered here today to discuss the very important issue of your precious achievements in drug control. As you all know, NA as the first line NGO together with other NGOs active in demand reduction play an important element in both raising awareness of people on the danger posed by drug abuse and in contributing to keep high in the agenda of governments and institutions the fight against drugs. Unfortunately, we all learned that despite high seizures drugs continue to flow and to undermine families, societies and economies around the world.

The UNODC World Drug Report, which is the main publication of the United Nations on narcotics, estimates that there are some 185 million drug users worldwide, equivalent to 3% of the global population. The abuse of opiates is of particular concern due to the devastating effects caused by this narcotic and about 15 million people in the world abuse heroin, morphine and opium.

It is also estimated that there are approximately 13 million injecting drug users worldwide and that the use of contaminated injecting equipment continues to fuel the spreading of HIV/AIDS.

There is no sadder sight than that of a young person whose life has been lost to drugs. During my tenure of working with the UNODC, I have met too many people among all walks of life whose futures have been damaged by the use of illegal drugs-heroin, ATS, marijuana, and the long list of other substances that inevitably destroy health and happiness.

The good news is that, in many places, women and men like you are standing up against these self-destructive behaviours. You in the NA have proved that changing behaviour depends on changing attitudes and that this is achievable. You, who each of you have paid a very high price for your problems with drugs before joining the NA have felt quite close by your own skin and flesh, what damage drugs could do to people. And still you are the proof that this problem could be approached, that there is a way out of drugs to productive lives; a clear evidence of succeeding destruction.

The links between organized crime, drug trafficking, drug consumption, drug money, arms trafficking and terrorism become clearer every day. Society's response to drug abuse has to come from all directions. It must be focused on supply and demand, on prevention as well as treatment. The links between drug abuse and HIV/AIDS is clear, and this message needs to be carried to the people still affected by drug abuse. Young people learn from examples. So the message that you convey as role models, who disavow drug use publicly and in your own lives is that with the largest impact on bringing people back to the society, to their families, to where they belong.

The Narcotic Anonymous in Iran has by now been able to help thousands of women and men, Ex-drug users and families to find some calm out of the hell of drug abuse. This was accomplished with no financial support from any national or international institution. This is your success shared by the Iranian society. Now- a- days there are regular NA meetings in most cities in Iran, meetings of female and male NA groups and those of family members. Our congratulations for this remarkable success! This could only be achieved thanks to the strong human commitment every each of you courageous women and men. I wish you further success on your future way and hope for your even greater successes.   

Roberto Arbitrio

Representative

UNODC Iran