The UNODC successfully launched the Family UNited programme in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, from 2 to 4 December, as part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) mechanism with the NNCC, for counter-narcotics cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion. The training, organized by the NNCC, with the support of the UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and Pacific, brought together over 30 prevention professionals, including directors and officers from eight provinces, including Shanxi, Zhejiang, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Guangxi, and Guizhou. Representatives from the National Narcotics Control Commission and the Sichuan Narcotics Control Commission attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks, underscoring the importance of family-based approaches in the field of drug prevention. The training workshop was preceded by an introduction to the UNODC WHO International Standards on Drug Use Prevention, sensitizing policymakers in China on the importance of integrating science within the system of prevention in place.
The UNODC Family UNited programme, a key component of this training, is a universal prevention tool aimed at strengthening caregivers’ family management skills and their capacity to cope with stress as well as improving child behaviour and mental health and on the long run reducing their chances of engaging in risky behaviours and initiating the use of drugs. The evidence-based programme focuses on fostering positive parent-child relationships, enhancing children’s and youth’s social and emotional development, and building resilience against drug use. Through a combination of interactive methods such as role-playing, group discussions, and structured family exercises, participants learn practical approaches to strengthen family bonds and create a supportive home environment.
This training is first of its kind in China, offering participants the opportunity to benefit from UNODC’s global expertise in drug use prevention through a developmental approach, focusing on the skills of children and adolescents in the context of the family. It represents a significant step in expanding the scope of drug prevention efforts in China, emphasizing the role of families as a cornerstone in preventing drug use. By equipping the Chinese prevention workforce with effective tools and methods, the training aims to enhance the practical application of family-based prevention strategies at the community level.
This milestone event highlights the ongoing collaboration between UNODC and national stakeholders in China in addressing drug use through evidence-based, family-focused interventions. For more information about the UNODC Family Skills Programme, please visit UNODC Family Skills Programme.
