Initiative on drug use prevention launched

Islamabad : The Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation (KKAWF) in collaboration with the Ambassador of Spain Jose de Ory launched the initiative known as the ‘Declaration of Oviedo’ to bring this global drug prevention movement to the forefront of Pakistan’s drug policies, says a press release.

As the focal point for the Declaration of Oviedo in Pakistan, the KKAWF is leading the campaign for implementation of its ten proposals on prevention by strengthening partnerships across sectors, including the government, private sector, civil society and media, to effectively combat drug use. The event was held at the Spanish embassy and well attended.

The Declaration of Oviedo was formally launched in March 2024 at the 67th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna to highlight the value of investing in evidence based prevention. The consultations concluded that drugs are at the root of immeasurable devastation and are inextricably linked to crime and financial burdens on nations.

The ten proposals of the Oviedo Declaration were read out by the Master of Ceremonies, Iram Rehman and was followed by officially launching it with all present gathered in a group holding placards in different languages and copies of the declaration.

Speaking on the occasion, Cristina Afridi, chairperson KKAWF said that the worldwide support to this global initiative has raised the profile and understanding on the wisdom of Drug Prevention – to act before drug use takes hold.

It has shifted the focus from addressing only the consequences of addiction to early awareness and education of the youth. Ambassador Jose de Ory said that the commitment of the Government of Spain to promote this global initiative on drug use prevention has been vital to the efforts of civil society to successfully launch the Declaration

According to the World Drug Report 2024, in just one decade, the use of drugs has grown globally by 20% to 292 million people. With an estimated 8.9 million people in Pakistan (2015) on drugs including 150 million young people under age thirty, the need to implement Early Drug Prevention Strategies are a priority.