MENA Region - 9 August 2023
“People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention.” Under this theme, UNODC’s efforts were framed for 2023, starting from this year’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day. UNODC promoted a people-centered approach to drug policies, with a focus on human rights, compassion, and evidence-based practices across Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, and Palestine.
A wide range of activities were organized to celebrate the cause, ranging from sports competitions to professional conferences, reaching youth, policymakers, professionals, and the public, under the Youth 4 Impact programme. Youth 4 Impact, supported by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), seeks to empower youth to be more resilient to the risks posed by drugs, violence, and crime.
Algeria's Sports Triumph:
In Algeria, a triathlon activity, jointly organized by UNODC and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, got together 150 youth aged 11 to 15, who participated in running, cycling, and swimming. The activity embraced the transformative power of sports in the fight against drugs, promoting positive values among youth and building their physical and mental resilience to cope with life's challenges more effectively. “I call upon the youth to engage in sports, as it will keep them away from social evils”, said the girl who championed swimming.
Alongside this, a seminar on drug prevention programmes united sports students and policymakers from various sectors, including the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Police, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Health. The conference served as an awareness-raising platform, where each sector presented its existing drug prevention initiatives, fostering the valuable exchange of experiences and best practices.
Egypt's Embrace of Knowledge and Empowerment:
In Egypt, more than 1000 youth gathered at Helwan University, to engage in sports activities like handball, basketball, and football, they discovered the strength of teamwork and unity. This activity was complemented by awareness sessions on drug abuse to improve their knowledge on this issue and to empower them to make informed decisions.
Following the first day of celebrations, UNODC implemented the "Line Up! Live Up" and "Strong Families" prevention programs, focusing on sports and family skills, benefiting 92 young individuals and 40 families. Moreover, UNODC collaborated with civil society through its partnership with the Intellectual & Environmental Development Association (IEDA), engaging 60 children in various activities, namely engaging arts and crafts sessions on environment-friendly products, awareness-raising games as well as creative coloring sessions that featured the main slogan of the day.
Lebanon's Creative Journey of Empathy:
In Lebanon, the power of words paved the way for transformational change. UNODC led a discussion on stigmatization and discrimination, employing the powerful "Words Matter" game, specially developed by UNODC with the participation of youth inspired by this year’s WDD slogan. As youth dived into the lives of those affected by drug dependence, they discovered understanding and empathy and they pledged to advocate for the world beyond labels. As one of the players said: "It it’s important not to judge others without understanding their stories and the factors that contributed to drug dependence and to respect others as they are"; "From now on, I'll speak to others with more humanity."
Libya's transformation through sports:
In Libya, UNODC collaborated with the Center for Adolescents under the Social Solidarity Fund to provide a Line Up! Live Up! Training in which 11 boys discovered the transformative power of sportsmanship. They learned that unity and sports can be shields against drugs, violence, and crime.
Palestine's Call for Understanding:
Palestine utilized the power of religious actors for drug prevention and combatting stigma by collaborating with the Ministry of Waqf, which organized Friday Khoutba “lecture” in mosques, that takes place before Friday prayer, providing a platform to raise awareness and educate communities about drug abuse.
Furthermore, UNODC recognized the significance of empowering counselors from the Ministry of Social Development in drug prevention by building the capacity of the counselors. Their enhanced expertise would play a crucial role in providing support and guidance to individuals and families affected by drug abuse, fostering a compassionate and effective approach to prevention and intervention.
As part of the commitment to youth empowerment, UNODC conducted two impactful workshops for 73 young individuals during the summer season. In close collaboration with the Red Crescent Society, the Higher Council of Youth and Sports, the Anti-Narcotic Administration and the Ministry of Health in Ramallah and Bethlehem, these workshops focused on combating stigma and drug prevention and were combined with the sports activities.
A Unified Regional Webinar:
UNODC conducted its campaign with a successful regional webinar on strengthening drug prevention and eradicating stigma. The webinar featured national and international experts, engaging over 100 professionals, civil society representatives, youth and the general public from across the MENA region.
Youth 4 Impact united the MENA region to celebrate World Drug Day with a people-centered approach to combat stigma and strengthen drug prevention. Through sports events, workshops, and awareness sessions, they promoted empathy, resilience, and unity, empowering youth to make a positive impact against drug abuse.
