A Charge d'Affair's Inspiring Visit to Tehran's Rehabilitation Centers

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Iran in cooperation and coordination with the Iranian Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ) has organized the visit of the Charge d'Affair of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway, Ms. Ingeborg Grongstad, to two centres in Tehran active in the area of treatment and harm reduction. The visits were in line with the generous donation of the Kingdom of Norway to the activities of the UNODC Iran in the area of treatment, harm reduction, capacity building and empowerment of vulnerable groups, especially women who use drugs. The two centres visited were the Parvin Treatment and Rehabilitation (Mother and Child) Center in Khorasan Square, Tayeb Area and Yas Sewing Workshop in Qom Road.

Nestled in the heart of Khorasan Square in Tehran lies the Parvin Treatment and Rehabilitation (Mother and Child) Center, a beacon of hope for addicted women seeking recovery. The centre, which is part of the Rebirth charity community centres, provides a safe and supportive environment for women drug users, particularly mothers accompanied by children, without children, and pregnant women, to overcome their addiction and regain control of their lives. As the first and only residential centre in the country that caters to pregnant mothers, the Parvin Treatment and Rehabilitation Center fills a crucial gap in support services for vulnerable women. The centre provides a range of rehabilitation services to female drug addicts, including non-drug treatments and accommodation support. For the women who come to the Parvin Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, it is a place of refuge, a place where they can receive the support and care they need to overcome their addiction and start a new chapter in their lives. The centre’s dedicated staff work tirelessly to create a welcoming and supportive environment that fosters healing and recovery.

The Yas employment workshop supports women heads of households, young women, and men who have recovered from drug use. The workshop provides an opportunity for these individuals to learn new skills and earn a living by producing a line of undergarments using sewing devices. But the Yas employment workshop is more than just a place of work. It’s a community that supports and trains individuals who have faced significant challenges in life. By working together and contributing to the production of undergarments, workshop personnel are not only earning a living for themselves and their families, but they are also contributing to the prevention of social harm. The workshop’s focus on providing training and support to women heads of households married to men who use drugs and young women and men who have recovered from drug use is particularly noteworthy. These individuals often face significant barriers to employment and may struggle to find meaningful work. The Yas employment workshop recognizes these challenges and provides a space for personnel to grow and develop new skills.

In a society where drug use can have a significant impact on individuals and their families, the Yas employment workshop is a shining example of how employment and training opportunities can make a difference. The two centres are testaments to the power of community and the importance of providing technical support, treatment and vocational training to vulnerable groups.

During the visit, Ms. Grongstad, Charge d'Affair of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway, received a firsthand look at the services provided to the right holders, particularly women, at both the Parvin Treatment and Rehabilitation (Mother and Child) Center and the Yas Sewing Workshop. Through her conversations with personnel of the centres, Ms. Grongstad gained a deeper understanding of their life stories and the vital role that technical support and rehabilitation services played in their journey towards recovery.

The visit also served to strengthen the cooperation between the UNODC Iran and the DCHQ, providing an opportunity to envision further venues of collaboration that would expand the technical assistance provided to rights holders in other provinces in need of such interventions.