UNICEF Cooperation in Drug Control

UNICEF is collaborating with Iran’s Drug Control Headquarters on the prevention of substance abuse among children and youth. For the first time in Iran, a partnership agreement was signed between UNICEF and the DCHQ on prevention of drug use among children and adolescents. The partnership agreement was signed in a ceremony on July 25, by Rahim Saaki, director of international relations at DCHQ and UNICEF’s representative in Iran Will Parks.

“At the DCHQ, we are all extremely pleased to extend our cooperation with UNICEF on prevention of substance use among children and adolescents and we hope we can expand it in future.” Saaki said in the signing ceremony held at DCHQ in Tehran, according to the website of the UN office in Iran.

“Considering our experience and with the support from UNICEF, we are ready to offer our expertise in this area to neighboring countries including Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Iraq,” Saaki said.

Will Parks appreciated the efforts of the DCHQ, the Foreign Ministry and UNICEF Iran over the past year to finalize the joint plan of action and said, “UNICEF also works with various ministries and lends support to DCHQ to facilitate a multi-ministry collaboration which is so vital in addressing substance use.”

“From my experiences working in Iraq and Afghanistan, I am sure that these two countries are interested in such collaboration,” he added.

The agreement is valid for one year. It focuses on preventive measures based on school communities and families. The joint project also includes exchange of knowhow and expertise between Iran and other countries on drug demand reduction among children and adolescents.