Empowering Families: UNODC Iran’s Journey with the Strong Families Programme

In a bid to strengthen family structures and enhance community resilience, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Iran, in cooperation with the Drug Control Headquarters and the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Sciences, has recently held the ‘Training of Evaluators’ at the Kish International Conferences Centre on Kish Island on 15 – 17 October 2024.

UNODC Iran, in alignment with its goal to expand the programme nationwide, conducted this training session for evaluators from various regions including Tehran, Kerman, Lorestan, Khuzestan, Khorasan Razavi, Hormozgan, and Sistan & Baluchistan. This initiative builds upon the successful pilot phase initiated in the winter of 2019 in Tehran and Karaj.

The Strong Families Programme underwent a meticulous adaptation to resonate with Iranian culture, ensuring relevance and effectiveness. Through collaboration with local institutions and NGOs, UNODC facilitated the implementation of the programme in diverse settings such as schools, community centers, and health facilities. The subsequent evaluations showcased notable improvements in parenting practices, youth mental health, and resilience.

Building on the success of the pilot phase, UNODC Iran has continued to drive the programme’s implementation since 2020, entering the second phase with a focus on seven provinces. Through cascade training of trainers and strategic partnerships with medical universities, the programme’s impact has extended to regions such as Tehran, Khorasan Razavi, Lorestan, Ahwaz, Sistan va Baloochestan, Hormozgan, and Kerman.

The recent training session saw implementing teams from various medical universities sharing their accomplishments, innovative strategies, and hurdles faced during programme implementation. Encouragingly, the presentations highlighted the programme’s high acceptance rate and governmental support, paving the way for sustainable scaling. Notably, expert facilitators namely Dr. Ghonche Raheb and Dr. Omid Massah, from the Drug Abuse Research Institute of University of Rehabilitation and Social Health Sciences, imparted essential skills and insights to participants, fostering a deeper understanding of evaluation techniques and tools.

As UNODC Iran continues its mission to strengthen families and communities, the resounding success of the Strong Families Programme underscores its potential for lasting impact. With a foundation built on collaboration, adaptation, and evaluation, UNODC Iran is poised to scale up the programme across Iran. 

This training was made possible through the funding received from the Kingdom of Netherlands.