Dr. Ghada Waly, the UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna, visited the exhibition of Egypt’s Anti-Addiction and Treatment Fund at the United Nations Office in Vienna during the 68th session of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) meetings, in the presence of Dr. Amr Osman, Director of the Anti-Addiction Fund. The exhibition showcased products created by recovering addicts, including handcrafts, accessories, and women’s shawls, as part of the fund’s efforts to reintegrate them into society and provide economic empowerment.
The exhibition highlighted Egypt’s success in offering free treatment for addiction recovery and integrating former addicts back into the workforce through vocational training programs. These efforts are in line with international standards for addiction treatment and rehabilitation.
Dr. Waly praised Egypt’s experience in community reintegration and economic empowerment of recovering individuals, emphasizing the importance of supporting these initiatives globally. The fund’s vocational training programs, which are conducted in collaboration with the “Haya Karima” Foundation, offer training in various crafts to help recovering individuals establish independent livelihoods.
The exhibition also displayed the fund’s wide-reaching awareness activities, including the largest preventive program to protect schoolchildren from drug abuse. The program features creative activities, including video messages and simulations, to highlight the health, social, and financial consequences of addiction, aiming to raise awareness and build a strong rejection of drugs among youth.
Additionally, the fund presented its strategic initiatives, such as the National Strategy for Drug Control, launched under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. This strategy has garnered international attention, with several countries seeking Egypt’s expertise in developing national plans to reduce drug demand, inspired by Egypt’s successful model.
Dr. Waly also acknowledged Egypt’s pioneering role in the “CHAMPS” initiative, aimed at strengthening prevention systems for children up to 18 years of age, a program launched by the UNODC. This initiative reflects Egypt’s commitment to its international obligations in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking, emphasizing the protection of children from drug addiction from birth through adolescence.
Through its continued efforts, Egypt has become a global leader in combating addiction and promoting drug-free societies, with its initiatives serving as a model for other nations.
