Afghanistan’s National Mobilization Against Narcotics Week ... · PDF fileAfghanistan’s National Mobilization Against Narcotics Week ... Due to 26 June 2016 falling during Ramadan,

Afghanistan’s National Mobilization Against Narcotics Week

17-22 July 2016

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ministry of Counter Narcotics

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

National Mobilization against Narcotics (NMN) Week 17-22 July 2016 (Fazli/RC/15/8/16) 2

Table of contents: Statement of UNODC's Executive Director, Yuri Fedotov, on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 3 INTRODUCTION AND RATIONAL 3 OBJECTIVES: 4 DETAILS OF EVENTS: 4 COMMEMORATION OF WORLD DRUG DAY: 4 SPORT EVENTS: 6 WOMEN-FOCUSED EVENTS: 6 ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS: 7 MOBILE AND STREET AWARENESS CAMPAIGN: 7 RELIGIOUS SCHOLAR GATHERING AND SPEECHES ON FRIDAY PRAYERS: 8 PUBLIC AWARENESS EVENT IN SCHOOLS 8 DRUG BURNNING EVENT BY CNPA: 9 IMMEDIATE RESULTS: 9 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: 10 PHOTOS 11 LIST OF ACRONYMS:

CN Counter Narcotics CNPA Counter Narcotics Police Academy CSO Civil Society Organization DCN Directorate of Counter Narcotics MAIL Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock MCN Ministry of Counter Narcotics MoPH Ministry of Public Health MoI Ministry of Interior MoE Ministry of Education NDCS National Drugs Control Strategy NMN National Mobilization against Narcotics PA Public Awareness UNODC United Office on Drugs and Crime

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


UNODC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR YURY FEDOTOV

Statement on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

26 June 2016

Today is the first International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking since April's UNGASS on the world drug problem. The Outcome Document adopted at UNGASS stresses a joint commitment to counter the world drug problem, and it has helped generate a global sense of purpose against this threat that menaces millions.

Perhaps most importantly, the document made a number of concrete recommendations on the way forward. These include: exploring alternative measures to conviction or punishment where appropriate; promoting international cooperation, chasing down the financial proceeds of drug related crime; the adoption of key international instruments on organized crime, corruption and terrorism; strengthening criminal justice systems, focusing on drug prevention and treatment; including HIV and hepatitis; and upholding fundamental human rights.

UNODC's World Drug Report 2016 advances further understanding of the problem. In alarming detail the report shows a rise in the number of problem drug users from 27 to 29 million people aged 15-64; the disastrous resurgence of heroin in some regions; the use of the "Darknet" for drug trafficking; the appalling loss of life due to overdoses, and the disproportionate impact illicit drugs have on women, among many others challenges.

Today also follows the landmark adoption last September of the 2030 development agenda. The special session gave us the tools and the commitment to fight illicit drugs; but in the 17 Goals we now have the architectural blueprint for appreciating how work against drugs, crime and corruption fits into the much wider work of sustainable development.

One of the key recommendations of this year's World Drug Report is that achieving sustainable development and countering the world drug problem must not exist as distant cousins. Illicit drugs threaten the security and health of people, while weakening both communities and institutions. If targets are to be achieved under Goal 3 on health, and Goal 16, on peaceful societies, as well as many other goals, drug-related development initiatives should be mainstreamed into general development efforts.

On International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, I affirm that the UN Office on Drugs and Crime will continue to work with member states and civil society to confront the world drug problem.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Introduction In 2015, opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan was estimated at 183,000 hectares which produced 3,300 tonnes of opium, making the country the world’s largest producer of illicit opiates, accounting for an estimated 80% of the global illicit markets. The problems caused by this illicit crop has dire consequences for the country, fuelling instability and insurgency, transnational organized crime, drug consumption and HIV/AIDS. With an estimated one million drug users and five percent of the population being involved in illicit poppy cultivation, Afghanistan pays a very high cost. While early efforts to address this problem focussed primarily of interdiction, more recently both the government and the international community have acknowledged that effective counter narcotics policies cannot be limited to law enforcement efforts and that there is a need for greater involvement of the public at large. More recent efforts are therefore now focussing on engaging with community elders, religious scholars, youth, women, academics, civil society organizations (CSOs), people’s representatives and development agencies. It was against this backdrop that the Ministry of Counter Narcotics (MCN)1 and UNODC designed and conducted the National Mobilization against Narcotics (NMN) campaign. Following celebrations recognising the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, one week of activities focussing on anti-drug messaging were launched in Kabul and the provincial zones of Badakhshan, Balkh, Herat, Kandahar and Nangarhar. The four main areas focused in the national mobilization campaign were:

1) Government responsibilities and actions; 2) Community engagement; 3) Religious platforms; and 4) Engagement with the development sector.

The campaign saw posters and banners bearing anti-drug massages being printed and distributed, public debates being conducted, messages from religious scholars being shared and sporting events being convened with equipment being provided to participants and refreshments being provided to spectators at events. Objectives NMN was aimed at accomplishing the following:

To increase national mobilization and public awareness on CN at the sub-national level and to educate and inform public on the threats of illicit drugs.

To improve partnerships and coordination among government ministries to undertake comprehensive national mobilization efforts.

To mobilize key players at gross roots level in relation to the harm of drugs. To consider CN efforts as a priority in the relevant government, national and international aid

organizations programmes and activities at both the central and provincial levels.

Events Conducted

Observation of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT)

Due to 26 June 2016 falling during Ramadan, the Government of Afghanistan decided to observe the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 17 July 2016 and to use the occasion to announce the National Mobilisation against Narcotics (NMN) week. MCN and UNODC jointly organized an event in Kabul under the leadership of the Office of President (ARG) with H.E. President

1 The Ministry of Counter Narcotics (MCN) is the government entity responsible for developing counter narcotics policies and strategies.

Since its establishment in early 2005, MCN has lead the coordination, implementation and evaluation of Afghanistan’s Counter Narcotics Law and National Drugs Control Strategy (NDCS) and has offices in 34 provinces.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah issuing statements emphasizing that “The hazards of drugs are the same as terrorism, taking the lives of the youth every day. Holding a week long national mobilization against narcotics campaign is a good opportunity to make the citizens of the country aware of the dangers of this phenomenon”. Statements by the United Nations Secretary General and the Executive Director of UNODC were also read on the occasion.

The Second Vice President, H.E. Sarwar Danish, was the keynote speaker, talking about the adverse effects of drugs at the global level in general and on the region and Afghanistan in particular. He further added that "drugs are an evil for Afghanistan and the National Unity Government (NUG) is considering the issue as a top priority and certain measures such as the establishment of rehabilitation center for drug addicts under Ministry of Public Health, were

already undertaken to address this problem". The establishment of a High

Commission of Counter Narcotics under the direct supervision of MCN, was also proposed by him to improve coordination between the government, non-governmental organizations and the private sector. The Vice President address was followed by that of the Minister of Counter Narcotics, H.E Ms. Salamat Azimi, who emphasised the need for honest cooperation at the regional and global levels to combat narcotics. She also referred to poverty, insecurity, low public awareness, migration and the large global demand for drugs as the fundamental causes of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. At the end of her speech, Minister Azimi called upon all government agencies, international and national organizations, civil society, private sector and citizens to join hands in the fight against narcotics. Representatives of other government ministries including the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), Ministry of Interior (MoI) and Ministry of Education (MoE) delivered speeches in which resources were committed to counter narcotics efforts in Afghanistan. Similar events also took place at the sub-national level across Afghanistan with an estimated 10,000 people participating including government officials, provincial council members, national and international organizations, civil society activists, youth, women, community representatives, religious scholars, university professors, students and media. The events enjoyed wide coverage by local media and posters, banners and billboards with anti-drug messages were highly visible throughout Afghanistan's major cities. Local radios and TV stations

"Controlling drug production and smuggling is vital for

bringing durable peace and stability in Afghanistan"

H.E Mr. Sarwar Danish

(2nd Vice President)

Inaugural Session of World Drug Day at Amani Lycee, Kabul 17 July

H.E Minister MCN delivered speech to WDD event in Kabul 17 July

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


broadcasted special programmes on the occasion, ensuring that counter narcotics messages were passed to millions of Afghans across the country. Other events including sports matches, religious scholars' and women's gatherings, school assemblies, media round tables and musical events were also organized to raise awareness amongst the population. The slogan adopted for the event said "Listen First: Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow, healthy and safe" with speakers’ messages focusing on the negative impact of drugs on security, stability, development and children. Participants also called upon national and international stakeholders to focus on curbing narcotics and assisting the government reduce the cultivation, production, trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs. Farmers who ceased poppy cultivation and turned to legal crops were praised and awarded with appreciation certificates from the government. To reach as wide an audience as possible, MCN and UNODC donated sports garments, cups, balls, karate equipment and other gifts containing anti narcotic messages to the various sports' teams. Millions of Afghans were also exposed to the CN messaging around the country through religious scholars offering prayers for peace and security in Afghanistan and an end to the drug menace. NMN Sport Events The NMN week saw boxing, football, karate, volleyball, taekwondo and wrestling events being held in Kabul and five zones of the country. Thousands of people participated in these events and over 1,500 posters and brochures containing anti-narcotics messages were distributed to participants. The stadiums and sport venues where the events were held were also decorated with banners, posters, slogans bearing pictorial and non-pictorial anti drug messages. Participants included influential scholars, government officials, and members of the Olympic Committee, representatives of national and international organizations, civil society activists, youth and women. The Olympic Committee was particularly active in organizing an Anti-Drug Football Tournament with players from across the country participating to make it a success.

The highlight of the sport events was a unique cycle race held in Kabul, exclusively for female cyclists. The race started from Kabul PD 5 ending in Paghman valley with the uniqueness of the event ensuring extensive media coverage from local radio and TV stations.

Women-focused Events As part of NMN week, UNODC and MCN held women-focused events in Kabul and five zones of the country aimed at highlighting the impact of illicit drugs on women and the role women can play in curbing narcotics. The First Lady, Ms. Rula Ghani, attended the event the event in Kabul at which she emphasised the need to launch a national dialogue on counter narcotics in order to identify a multi-stakeholder solution to this problem. She, and other government officials who spoke during the event, warned that drug use and drug related problems are on the raise, and in order to address this issue, drug awareness at the household level is required.

Sport events held in Kabul & five zones of the country during WDD/ NMN (Mazar)

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Speakers at events outside of Kabul appealed to women to stay away from poppy cultivation and drug use as it could put the lives of their children at severe risk and case studies related to husbands addicted to drugs not being able to support their families were also shared with the participants. The burden drug users place on their families was emphasised, as hard-earned money of other family members may be used to procure drugs and as well as concerns that drug users may also carry out violence against women and children in the families. Over 1,600 women participated in these events, increasing their awareness of narcotics and the associated problems. Posters and banners containing anti-narcotics messages were distributed to the participants during these events. Round Table Discussions To inform the public of the adverse impacts of narcotics on society, round table discussions were held in Kabul and five zones through local and national TV stations. Religious scholars, civil society activists, youth, counter-narcotics experts and government officials participated in the discussions focussing in the health and social harms of illicit drugs. Participants proposed a wide range of public awareness measures should be taken through radio, print media, music, sports, documentaries, family drama and TV serials. Mobile Street Awareness Campaign: Mobile street awareness campaigns were organized in Kabul and the fives zones against the adverse effects of illicit drugs on lives of people. A number of vehicles were covered with anti-drug banners, slogans and messages and drove through the city to create awareness about illicit drugs. The audience of the campaigns were residents of the targeted suburbs especially youths. These mobile campaigns were supported by a number of large billboard placed on the walls and in the main squares of cities and the mobile teams also talked directly to people, particularly the youth, on the harms and hazards caused by illicit drugs.

H.E First Lady attended women gathering during NMN event (Kabul)

Media Round Table on CN in provinces

Street and mobile public awareness campaigns during NMN

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Religious Scholars' Gatherings and Speeches at Friday Prayers In collaboration with the Provincial Directorates of the Pilgrimage and Virtue (Hajj Awqaf), religious scholars preached on the harm of illicit drugs during Friday prayers throughout the country. The scholars quoted verses of holy Quran and hadiths of the prophet categorically declaring drug cultivation, production and trafficking forbidden in Islam. Imams also spoke about the economic, health and social consequences of drug use and advocated for avoiding such use. Religious scholars also issued an edict against drugs. The edict says that drugs cultivation, production and trafficking is forbidden in Islam, and people from all spheres of society should avoid getting involved in it. The edict further states that preachers and imams must continue informing people about the harmful effects of illicit drug consumption to both the users and society.

NMN in Schools Three public awareness events were held in schools in Herat, Mazar and Kandahar. Religious scholars, lecturers and government officials participated in these events and raised awareness about the negative impact of narcotics on health, wealth, education and social affairs. They advised the students avoid use of any drugs and to encourage friends and family not to use them either.

Religious Scholars Gathering and Speeches on CN during NMN week in Jalalabad and Kabul:

Public awareness against drugs held in different schools of Hirat province

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Drug Burning by CNPA: The Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) in Mazar-I-Sharif destroyed 6MT of drugs seized during the past 18 months in support of NMN.

Results

The NMN events were unique in a sense that it brought together people from different walks of life to discuss the challenges of narcotics and to recommend potential solutions. Participants found these events useful in creating awareness of the negative effects of illicit drugs on health, socio-economic and socio-cultural aspects of the society.

H.E President Ashraf Ghani held a follow-up meeting and issued a decree on combating narcotics and illicit economy. The president highlighted the importance of counter-narcotics in bring sustainable peace and stability to Afghanistan. This decree indicates a renewed political will to address narcotics.

The campaign resulted in unprecedented coordination and collaboration among line ministries at the central and provincial levels. It was also encouraging to witness commitments made by different government entities to take specific and measurable actions to overcome narcotics in Afghanistan. For instance, the ministry of information and culture agreed to develop TV spots, radio dramas and to organize sport events to convey anti-drug messages to the general public and the youth in particular.

The visible participation of religious scholars is a significant step in the fight against illicit drugs and trafficking. The scholars also agreed to continue preaching against illicit drugs in the future.

The events also highlighted the successes by farmers with legal crops such as pistachio, saffron, jujube and orchards. These crops, due to the high return on investment, are considered as viable economic alternatives to drug cultivation.

Drug Burning Event during NMN in Balkh province

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Conclusions and Recommendations

The following specific recommendations were presented by participants during the events:

A NMN week should be scheduled before the poppy cultivation season when farmers have chance to change their minds and plant/sow legal crops.

CN Committees should be organized by MCN at mosque, community, district and provincial levels under the supervision of village elders, with Mullah Imams as deputies to these committees.

Drug control advisory committees should be created in the provinces.

Counter Narcotics is a challenge, beyond just the mandate of MCN, thus, it needs to mainstreamed at all government offices at national and sub-national levels, as well as with non-governmental organizations.

National mobilization and public awareness programs, focusing on the village and district levels can generate positive outcomes.

UNODC, as the leading UN Agency on drugs, should continue to play a key role in drug and public awareness programs. Success stories of farmers with legal crops should be publicized through media, in order to encourage a greater number of farmers to move to licit crops.

Follow the community- based approach for the development of alternative development interventions.

DCNs should to establish NM/PA committees with the financial and technical support of UNODC. These committees should hold monthly meetings to endorse anti-drugs efforts.

Continue involving religious scholars in the promotional campaigns and preaching through Friday prayers. The religious scholars’ council should hold a special meeting and issue their edict against the harmful impact of drugs on human beings as well as the Islamic prohibition (Haram or Illicit) status.

Developing a curriculum on drug abuse to be taught in schools could help protect children.

National newspapers should broadcast NM and PA messages regularly though their programs.

Civil society and youths should be active in disseminating anti-drug messages.

DAILs should provide public awareness through its extension workers at the village and district levels.

MoPH should ensure public awareness against illicit drugs in their clinics at the sub-national level.

The Department of Women's Affairs should play a key role to ensure Afghan women are exposed to CN messaging around the country.

The social contract against narcotics should be signed with all CDCs to avoid opium poppy cultivation and trafficking.

The outcomes of the NMN week should be published and distributed.

UNODC funded activities in the five zones and, jointly with MCN, was responsible for organizing the events outlined above. These events continued for a week, broadening public awareness and understanding on national mobilization against narcotics and perceptions on counter narcotics. The events were a golden opportunity for the population to discuss and interacted with government on CN issues.

Government and aid organizations agreed to support NMN initiatives and to mainstream CN in their

respective projects and activities and local TV stations were requested to organize discussions and

focus group events through their channels.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Banners, Posters and Pictures.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Documents

Afghanistan’s National Mobilization Against Narcotics Week ... · PDF fileAfghanistan’s National Mobilization Against Narcotics Week ... Due to 26 June 2016 falling during Ramadan,