The UNODC Country Office Pakistan conducts the First Shadow Training on the Universal Prevention Curriculum at the Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) Academy

18 October 2019, ISLAMABAD - The UNODC Country Office Pakistan successfully organized the first shadow training for a multidisciplinary team of professionals from Islamabad and Rawalpindi on the " Universal Prevention Curriculum " (UPC) at the ANF Academy Islamabad from 14-18 October 2019.

The closing ceremony was chaired by Mr. Amjad Javid Saleemi, Police Services of Pakistan (PSP), Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Narcotics Control and Mr. Jeremy Milsom, Representative of the UNODC Country Office Pakistan. 

The event was organized through contribution by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the United States' (US) Department of State under the project entitled "Training of Prevention Professionals". It enhanced the capacity of the drug prevention practitioners from the ANF, various school systems, Police and the Civil Society Organizations.

The drug prevention services were recently introduced by the UNODC Country Office Pakistan by conducting three Training-of-Trainers (ToT) courses under the UPC Coordinator Series, where a pool of 16 professionals was initially trained. It is envisaged that this pool of trained professionals will further cascade UPC to 150 multidisciplinary professionals, who may be coordinating drug prevention services at their respective workplaces.  

In his closing remarks, Mr. Jeremy Milsom thanked the Ministry of Narcotics Control, Government of Pakistan and the ANF for their contributions towards capacity-building of the drug demand reduction professionals by making available training venues. He acknowledged Pakistan's poppy-free status since 2001 and its remarkable efforts to counter the threat posed by illicit drugs. "Pakistan is one of the most important contributing countries to global efforts in terms of the very high volumes of drugs seized" said Mr. Milsom.

The UNODC Representative commended the Government of Pakistan's strong and committed efforts against illicit drug trafficking and drug abuse, as reflected in the National Anti-Narcotics Policy-2019. "The international community recognizes that the ANF and other members of the Inter Agency Task Force on Narcotics Control in Pakistan are dealing with grave challenges every day and at a great cost i.e. sacrificing their lives in the combat against drug trafficking networks. Intelligence-led investigations by the ANF in close networking with regional and international partner agencies has led to effective prosecutions and recovery of the proceeds of crime in accordance with international standards." he added.

Brigadier Abdul Hamid, Commandant of the ANF academy thanked the UNODC Country Office Pakistan, trainers and the participants for contributing to the UPC course. He appreciated the trainer's competence and interest to successfully conduct of the shadow training.

During his closing address, Mr. Amjad Javed Saleemi appreciated the close partnership between UNODC and the Government of Pakistan. He said, "the issue of substance abuse is gigantic, and we all have to work more to address it". He appreciated the participation of the multidisciplinary team of trainers and encouraged them to work on drug prevention at their institutions, by introducing and inculcating evidence-based drug prevention interventions to the educational institutes, especially colleagues. He emphasized the role of training and coordinated efforts among key stakeholders i.e. Ministry of Narcotics Control, ANF and other institutions in ensuring drug prevention.

UNODC supports Member States in implementing drug use prevention strategies as per international standards. It strives to strengthen evidence- and rights-based services and to broaden access to the most affected populations. UNODC's global efforts are based on scientific evidence, human rights and gender considerations. It provides drug dependence treatment, health care, social protection and rehabilitation services, particularly for children and adolescents.

The UNODC Country Office Pakistan is delivering high-quality and sustainable assistance in close cooperation with the Government of Pakistan, civil society and international partners for over four decades. Its tailored technical assistance supports the Government of Pakistan's strategic priorities. It envisages to continue providing close support to the Government of Pakistan's priority needs and vision to attain the Sustainable Development Goal - 16 " Promoting Peace, Justice and Institutional Development".