On the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, SYCAC Organization, represented by Ms. Walaa Alloush, Syria Programs Manager, participated in the launch ceremony of the national campaign “Syria Without Drugs”, a nationwide initiative for drug prevention and addiction treatment. The event was held at the Damascus Conference Palace under the patronage of President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, and attended by a number of ministers, government officials, and a broad representation of civil society organizations.
The campaign is the outcome of a collaborative effort led by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Health, supported by a series of workshops that brought together government institutions and civil society organizations through a participatory approach. The initiative aims to design a national awareness campaign to address the risks of drug abuse, strengthen prevention efforts, and support addiction treatment and recovery.
Throughout the campaign design process, SYCAC Organization emphasized the pivotal role of civil society in raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and in challenging the social stigma associated with people affected by addiction and their families, thereby contributing to improved opportunities for recovery and social reintegration.
SYCAC Organization also underscored the importance of integrating a gender-sensitive approach into the design and implementation of the campaign, recognizing that women within the families of people experiencing addiction may be exposed to multiple forms of violence, including economic, physical, and psychological violence. This calls for responses that address their specific needs while ensuring appropriate protection and support.
