United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Pakistan

Public Private Sector connected with UNODC Pakistan on World Drug Day 2021!

Raised awareness on drug prevention #Share Facts on Drugs #Save Live

26 June 2021, Islamabad - Since March 2020 due to COVID-19, nations faced intermittent lockdown, work from home, youth was getting restless by staying indoors - these were the stressed times for ever one. We had to follow SOPs, stay at distance, wear mask, wash hands, not to visit places, family, friends – the first wave – the second wave and then the third wave challenged mental health of public, especially the younger lot, whose energies sees no boundaries. So, the youth all around us started indulging into different activities, where they can go out, yet adhering to social distancing, which brought out a culture of peddling all over the world.

Keeping this in context, UNODC Country Office Pakistan thought of promoting healthy activity like cycling and connected with public private sector to support a nationwide cycling event to commemorate the World Drug Day 2021 in coordination with its counterparts, Ministry of Narcotics Control and Anti Narcotics Force Government of Pakistan, and considered it safe since a large percentage of population is being vaccinated in Pakistan.

Cycling rallies were organized nationwide in many cities of Pakistan i.e Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For visibility and advocacy, T-shirts, streamers, banners and play cards were printed with the messages on drug prevention and awareness and distributed in relevant cycling groups in related cities. A mega event took place in Islamabad and an invite was sent to public via social media. 70 cycles were rented out for those who were without the cycles and rest brought their own. Approximately 600 plus people from all walks of life which were UN Country Heads, international and national counter parts, Civil Society, students, housewives, children and media joined the event which was considered a bench mark for the success of the event and many requested to do such events more often. There was also an arrangement of walk by Anti Narcotics Force for all those who didn’t want to peddle. People wore shirts, caps and hanged play cards with drug messages in front of their cycles. UNODC Goodwill Ambassador Shehzad Roy was also invited to lead the rally and Faisal Qureshi, a TV celebrity (actor, director, writer) also grace the event. Team of female community police under the leadership of Ms Amna Baig ASP Police was also present to hold the fort and be in the lead.

Mr Ijaz Ahmed Shah, Federal Minister for Narcotics Control, is a Pakistani politician and a former officer of the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officer was the Chief Guest, who graced the event and gave his remarks on the drug abuse and prevention and applauded UNODC its work in Pakistan. Representative UNODC Mr Jeremy Milsom also gave his remarks on the occasion.

Video messages on the drug awareness were recorded from variety of people and shared on social media.

This event was supported by Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs USA, WHO Pakistan, Container Control Programme, Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries, Graana.com, Nestle Pakistan, AeroCycling, Islamabad Cycling Federation, Serena Hotel Islamabad and Quality Aviation Pakistan.