The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Strengthens Capacities in Drug Use Prevention, Early Detection, and Rehabilitation

Tehran, 21–25 December 2025 – A multi-day training programme aimed at strengthening national and institutional capacities in drug use prevention, early detection, treatment, and social rehabilitation commenced on 21 December 2025 in Tehran. The programme, running from 21 to 25 December 2025, is organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Iran, with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation as the gracious donor, and in cooperation with the Iranian Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ) and specialized scientific and medical institution, “V.P. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Narcology” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.

The training brings together national policymakers, technical experts, and practitioners to enhance professional capacities, review operational models, and facilitate the transfer of evidence-based practices across the prevention–treatment–rehabilitation continuum.

In the opening session, Mr. Alexander Fedulov, Deputy to the Regional Representative, UNODC Afghanistan, ROCA, Iran and Pakistan, emphasized that the drug problem is increasingly global in nature, with illicit markets, emerging patterns of use, and associated health and social harms transcending national borders. Mr. Fedulov underlined that effective responses require sustained international cooperation, mutual learning, and the systematic exchange of scientific and operational expertise.

Mr. Fedulov highlighted that the structure of the programme reflects this collaborative approach by bringing together leading specialists from the Russian Federation and Iranian experts working across prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and policy sectors. 

The representatives from the Iranian Drug Control Headquerters further recalled the long-term strategic cooperation framework between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation, which includes collaboration in the field of drug control. While previous cooperation has focused primarily on supply reduction and precursor control, this programme was noted as a significant step in expanding bilateral cooperation into the areas of prevention and treatment through scientific and educational exchange. The training was presented as a foundation for continued collaboration, including the exchange of experts and joint initiatives in prevention and treatment.

The first technical session provided an analytical overview of the global and regional drug situation, as well as the comprehensive system for the prevention of drug use establishing a common evidence base to inform subsequent discussions and practical exchanges throughout the programme.

Over the course of the training, participants will engage in thematic sessions designed to deliver concrete capacity-building results, including improved understanding of policy and system-level prevention models; strengthened capacity for early identification and early intervention; enhanced coordination among health, social, and education; increased awareness of youth-focused and gender-responsive approaches, including those addressing the specific needs of women; and improved knowledge of medical treatment, relapse prevention, and social rehabilitation and reintegration practices.

The training will conclude with summary discussions aimed at consolidating key findings, identifying transferable practices, and outlining areas for continued technical cooperation among participating institutions.