UNICEF and UNODC Iran Partner to Protect and Empower Youth in Joint Project Funded by the Government of the Netherlands
The innovative project is to address substance use and improve drug demand reduction programs for young girls, boys, and women.
Tehran, 04 December 2023 – UNICEF and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Iran have joined forces to launch an innovative joint project aimed at addressing substance use and improving drug demand reduction programs for young girls, boys, and women. This initiative is made possible through the funding support of the Government of the Netherlands.
According to available data, substance use, including alcohol, cannabis, and amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), is increasingly prevalent among adolescents due to mental health and social risk factors. Recognizing this pressing issue, UNICEF and UNODC are collaborating to tailor and implement existing programs that safeguard young individuals from drug use and its detrimental effects. Their shared objective is to enhance the quality of national drug demand reduction programs and establish a robust system for delivering evidence-based and effective drug use prevention and treatment services to vulnerable young populations.
The joint efforts of UNICEF and UNODC will focus on developing and implementing tested models of empowerment, in close partnership with key stakeholders such as the Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). By leveraging these partnerships, the agencies aim to provide comprehensive support to young girls, boys, and women, enabling them to avoid drug use, adopt healthy lifestyles, recover from substance abuse, and prevent further exposure to harm.
Furthermore, UNICEF and UNODC will lend their support to national partners, particularly CSOs, to ensure the availability of effective HIV and drug use prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs for vulnerable adolescents and youth residing in provinces with high substance use prevalence. The ultimate goal is to enhance young people’s access to high-quality services, enabling them to lead drug-free lives, meet their social reintegration needs, enhance their resilience, and empower their families to address drug use risk factors.
With the funding support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, UNICEF and UNODC are poised to empower young girls, boys, and families in Iran by promoting healthy, functional, and drug-free lifestyles. Through adapted, evidence-based, scalable, and inclusive HIV and drug use prevention, treatment, and care interventions delivered by CSOs in selected provinces, the project aims to transform the lives of young individuals and facilitate their reintegration into society.
Both UNICEF and UNODC are committed to driving positive change and creating sustainable solutions to combat substance use among youth. By working together and leveraging the support of the Government of the Netherlands, they aim to build a brighter future for young people in Iran.
About UNICEF:
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, UNICEF works for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work, visit www.unicef.org/iran/en
About UNODC:
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs, organized crime, and terrorism. UNODC works to strengthen international cooperation, promote sustainable development, and support member states in implementing effective crime prevention and criminal justice policies. For more information about UNODC and its work in Iran, visit www.unodc.org/islamicrepublicofiran/index.html
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