Press Release

 

Unplugged Programme - Drug Prevention in Schools

Handing over ceremony of modules 

12 April 2017, Islamabad

Today, in a ceremony, organized by Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation (KKAWF) held in Serena hotel, Islamabad, UNODC handed over modules of Unplugged "Hum Saath Hein" drug prevention programme in schools, to KKAWF. 

The Unplugged programme is a European Union drug abuse prevention initiative. The programme promotes positive and healthy behaviour generally and substance abuse prevention specifically among school children. This comprehensive programme is developed for the students of 8 - 10th grade. In this programme teachers from the schools are trained on the Unplugged module for further cascading the training with the students of their respective schools. The transfer of knowledge to the students is in an interactive way, making learning more interesting. The students during the course of the programme are exposed to the knowledge on drugs and their ill affect on the physical and social health of the individuals and others associated to these people.

As KKAWF is planning to initiate Unplugged programme in public and private schools of Punjab and Islamabad, they asked UNODC to provide them the Unplugged modules which contains guidelines for teachers, workbook for students and quiz cards for interactive learning. 

While giving the welcome address on the occasion, Mrs. Cristina von Sperling Afridi, Founder/Chairperson KKAWF stated that in two years, their foundation has achieved many benchmarks. Mrs. Cristina and her team have visited many schools in Islamabad and Punjab, and she mentioned that drug abuse in schools is an epidemic that transcend borders and it could be anyone's child. She also briefed the audience on some of the statistics related to drug abuse in Pakistan. She said that after losing her only child to the menace of drugs, her mission in life is to protect those, who are in danger and need help.

Talking at the Unplugged event, Country Representative UNODC Mr Cesar Guedes said, "UNPLUGGED programme was piloted by UNODC in collaboration with provincial education departments in the eight public schools from four districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.  Sixteen teachers from these schools were trained by an International Unplugged trainer", and these teachers then further implemented Unplugged programme in their respective schools. 

UNODC Country Representative thanked Narcotics Control Division, Ministry of Interior and Narcotics control, Ministry of education, Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation, European Union, and the International community for supporting drug demand reduction programmes in the country. 

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed and Ms Anne Marchal Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Pakistan also spoke at the occasion.

For further information please contact Mr. Faisal Latif 0300-5230801