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Raising Community Awareness of the Hazards of Drugs and Substance Abuse

Project Overview

IR Iraq aims to raise Iraqi society's awareness of the hazards of illicit drugs and drug addiction. The ultimate aim of the project is to assist in achieving sustainable human development in Iraq.

IR Iraq will carry out six ‘training of trainers’ (TOT) programmes to enhance the ability of youth leaders and teaching staff at Baghdad University and other educational institutions to plan, train, and facilitate group meetings and promotional presentations aimed at raising the awareness of the hazards of illicit drugs and substance abuse. The trained youth will form their own youth support groups and undertake training and awareness raising campaigns to promote healthy lifestyles and warn against the hazards of drugs and substance abuse at NGOs and schools which IR-Iraq supports. They will also develop and distribute posters and leaflets promoting the project and warning against substance abuse. IR-Iraq will collaborate with Al-Eislah Association for Combating Drugs, Alcohol and Psychoactive Substance (EASDAP) in implementing this project.

Problem / Project Background

There is alarming evidence that the problem of illicit drugs in Iraq is growing. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), approximately 10 percent of the drugs trafficked within Iraq are now used there. The pattern of drug-trafficking in Iraq is similar to that observed in other post-conflict situations. The problem is aggravated by poor media coverage of the problem and lack of awareness among Iraqi society of the dangers of illicit drugs.

Project Objectives

  • To raise Iraqi society's awareness, especially university youth, of the hazards of illicit drugs and drug addiction.

Project Activities

  • Training youth leaders and teaching staff at Baghdad University and four other educational institutions on awareness raising techniques and communication and presentation skills.
  • To develop youth support groups that work on promoting healthy lifestyles and warning against the hazards of drugs and substance abuse.
  • To develop posters, leaflets and stickers promoting healthy lifestyles and avoiding drugs.