A one-day ECO Training Course on “Primary Prevention of Addiction” hosted by Drug Control Headquarters was held virtually on November 11, 2020. The University of Tehran also contributed to the event as a co-host. The event was attended by the representatives of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Islamic Republic of Iran (host), Republic of Kazakhstan, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Turkey, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The main objective of the training course was to impart relevant understanding and knowledge to the participants, including basic definition and concept of addiction, categories of substances, principle of drug abuse prevention and prevention program as well as risk and other protective factors.
Welcoming the participants, the ECO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Jandos Asanov thanked the Drug Control Headquarters of Iran and the University of Tehran for their efforts to organize the event. He underlined that the ECO was entrusted to coordinate the collective regional efforts against the organized crimes aimed at promoting peace and stability to secure sustainable economic development in the region.
During the course, the participants shared their experiences, knowledge and views concerning the methods and principles of primary prevention of addiction, stages of substance use, impacts of substances use on the brain, different types of prevention programs, settings of drug prevention as well as some facts and fictions about drug abuse.
Dr. Amirabbas Lotfi Sarabi, the Director General of the International Relation Office of the Drug Control Headquarters greeted and appreciated all the participants for their participation and contribution to make it convenient to conduct this training course. While reiterating the need of effective and expanded cooperation amongst the Member States in the relevant area of activities, he offered continued support of the Islamic Republic of Iran to hold such future events.
