＜Purpose of the event＞ 　Since 1993, the Drug Abuse Prevention Centre (DAPC) of Japan, a public interest incorporated foundation, has played a leading role in the "Dame. Zettai." (Never. Ever.) drug abuse prevention campaigns in Japan. The Centre has simultaneously carried out fundraising activities to support developing countries through the United Nations. The collected funds have so far assisted a total of 780 drug abuse prevention projects in 649 developing countries through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Looking back over the past 30 years, Japan organized this side event during the 66th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) to convey to the young people who will lead the next generation the significance of drug abuse prevention activities. The event further emphasized that these activities should also include early identification, treatment, education, aftercare, rehabilitation, and social reintegration of those who have unfortunately fallen victim to drugs. It aimed at exploring further ways and means, by working hand in hand, to prevent drug abuse from the world.

【Programme】

On 14 March 2023, from 9:10 to 10:00 a.m., at the Vienna International Centre Conference Room M3, Vienna, Austria, Japan held a high-level side event to commemorate the 30th anniversary of high-level side event to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the DAPC Grants through UNODC, entitled "Dame. Zettai. [Never. Ever.] "Value yourself."

■Programme 1: Messages from the Prime Minister of Japan and UNODC Executive Director 　Video message from Prime Minister Kishida: “Activities to prevent drug abuse and to provide effective support to those who have unfortunately fallen into drug abuse to reintegrate them into society need to continue across generations. I hope that the wisdom and free thinking of the younger generation will be brought together to create innovative ideas. The Government of Japan will work closely with the international community in the field of drug abuse prevention.”

Youtube

H.E. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mr. Hikihara: "It is important for everyone to engage civil society and multi-stakeholders to address the global drug problem, including drug abuse prevention, and one can learn much from the interactions at this side event to more effectively address the issues."

Ms. Wally, UNODC Executive Director: “UNODC is grateful for DAPC’s profound commitment to our common cause of preventing drug use by young people. Over the years, our DAPC-funded projects have left footprints across the globe. In the last ten years alone, DAPC grants have supported 139 projects in 55 low- and middle-income countries in every region of the world. Those projects reached approximately 166,000 direct beneficiaries, and almost 4 million indirect beneficiaries. UNODC is proud of our partnership, and we look forward to many more years of fruitful collaboration to prevent drug use by children and young people.”

■Programme 2: A Documentary Clip 　 Looking back on 30 years of UN-supported fundraising, a video clip was shown that included the origins of DAPC, drug abuse prevention awareness-raising activities on the streets, UN-supported fundraising activities, and the way Japan has stood up to drug abuse prevention in developing countries that have received support from Japan.

Youtube

■Programme 3: Proposals from DAPC 　Mr. Akira Fujino, DAPCPresident: “Half a century ago, the international community amended the Single Convention and expressed its firm view that we must first give special attention to ‘prevention’ and take all practicable measures. The amended article further provides for the early identification all the way through social reintegration for those that unfortunately fell victim to drugs. If used for non-medical purposes, drugs are like ‘pocketable weapons of mass destruction’. We need to think “out of the box”. Each country has different circumstances, different issues, and different challenges. And yet we must always return to prevention. Crimes will never disappear from human society. And yet we must continue crime prevention efforts. Likewise, we must continue our drug prevention efforts.”

■Programme 4: Youth Panel 　The "Youth Panel" consisted of four young people representing four organizations from among the many countries where drug abuse prevention activities are being conducted with funds raised by the United Nations from Japan: Friends International from Laos, CAZAS from Montenegro, CEDRO from Peru, and the Turkish Green Crescent Society from Turkey.

From Japan, three university students from Hiroshima Prefecture participated in the event, who are working as instructors for drug abuse prevention classes for elementary school students through a partnership between the prefectural government, Lions clubs, and universities. The participants from Japan were: Ms. Akane Matsunaga, a sophomore at Hiroshima Shudo University, Mr. Kaisei Nishioki, a junior at Hijiyama University, and Ms. Moe Yokoro, a senior at Meiji University. They pointed out that the city of Hiroshima was destroyed by the atomic bomb during the war and that, after the war, the citizens worked together and successfully recovered from the ruins, which is similar to the path of recovery from drug dependence toward a fresh start in society. Drug abuse was not only an individual problem but a problem for the society as a whole. In Hiroshima, local people went to local schools and discuss drugs with local children. In addition, university students, as drug prevention instructors, talked to children close to their age, which made them feel closer to the children and more interested in the topic. They also reflected on how they were able to avoid drug abuse because of the relevant knowledge acquired, citing those cases they themselves had actually experienced. In closing, the three participants called out to young people, who were responsible for their future, to work hand in hand toward the common goal of eliminating drug abuse in order to shape a bright future.

■Programme 5: Messages for the Future 　Ms. Pavadia, President, International Narcotics Control Board (INCB): "I congratulate the Drug Abuse Prevention Centre on 30 years of drug abuse prevention efforts. The ultimate goal of the drug control Conventions is to safeguard the health and wellbeing of humankind. They require that States give special attention to and take all practicable measures for the prevention of abuse of drugs and for early identification, treatment, education, after-care, rehabilitation and social reintegration. I believe that the time has come to create a platform of regional networks for discussion on Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation on the lines of HONLEA. This would enable countries to coordinate, at the executive level, demand reduction efforts and share experience, knowledge and best practices.” Best wishes for your next generation of support to drug demand reduction.” 　Dr. Sato, Director, Compliance and Narcotics Division, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: “Today, the abuse of drugs such as methamphetamine, marijuana, and narcotics is a serious social problem Addiction to these drugs makes it extremely difficult to quit solely by one's own willpower. They are not only harmful to ’people’s body and mind, but also have a great impact on their family and others around, and must never be used. It is extremely important to stay away from drugs, and your understanding and cooperation are indispensable. Drug abuse is an extremely serious social problem. It is extremely important to prevent people from getting involved in drug abuse, and the understanding and cooperation of everyone is essential. To this end, education and support activities to help young people understand the harmful effects of drug abuse are extremely effective.

■Closing 　In closing, DAPC President Fujino called for a further action: “An idea we wish to propose is to formulate an informal international platform, perhaps regional forums, to discuss practicable and innovative ideas on prevention, as well as early identification through social reintegration, so that we can collaborate with each other.” With these closing remarks, our side event ended on a high note.

【UNODC REPORT】

March 14th 2023 HIGH-LEVEL EVENT AT 66TH CND: MARKING THE 30TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF DAPC’S FUNDRAISING EFFORTS ON SUPPORTING GLOBAL DRUG USE PREVENTION EFFORTS

March 8th 2023 JOIN THE CELEBRATIONS: DAPC'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY IN SUPPORTING GLOBAL DRUG PREVENTION ACTIVITIES!

March 13th to 15th 2023 YOUTH FORUM 2023