Article written by Pakistan Youth Organisation

During the 66th Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Pakistan Youth organization (PYO), in collaboration with VNGOC Asia Pacific region working group, organised hybrid side event in the Vienna International Centre in Austria to showcase the common position on drugs drafted by the VNGOC Asia Pacific region working group on 17th March, 2023 at 8;00 AM to 8:50 AM.

Mr. Sana Ullah Rathore welcomed 20 participants in person and online participants. He presented brief introduction of PYO and also shared the empowering youth program of PYO which is implemented in Pakistan with the support of UN HABITAT. This project issued loans to recovering youth after rehabilitation and capacity building. PYO has also signed MoU with the Government for stall in Cheap Bazaar. Later beneficiaries pay the loan back to the organisation. He stated that this project was very successful. Later on he also briefly talked about VNGOC Asia Pacific Region working group. He stated that this group was established in 2020 and started working in 2021 on a common position on drugs and conducted virtual consultations of Asia pacific region organisations. After the suggestions and feedback from organisations, the working group finalised the common position on drugs. In light of the common position, an online side event was conducted by the working group at the 65^th CND in March, 2022. Mr. Sana Ullah Rathore also made an NGO intervention during the 65^th CND session in March 2022 in the general debate. He also shared that 84 organisations signed the common position on drugs. Later during the intercessional debate Mr. Augusto Working Group Member also presented common position on drugs in September, 2022. This showcased the common position on drug. He also mentioned that common position on drugs covered all area like prevention, treatment recovery, Harm reduction, human rights and other cross cutting issues. He also acknowledged the efforts of members of group and Ms. Sarah during whole process. He also thanks Mr. Jamie Bridge outgoing Chair, Ms. Asia and Ms. Penny for their support. Ms. Amrita Devi, National Narcotics Board, Republic of Indonesia, made online presentation. She stated that BNN is implementing drug prevention, treatment and rehabilitation projects and also supporting other initiative taken by the other organization. BNN, Indonesia incorporated common position on drugs in their initiatives. Christina Affridi, Karim Khan Affridi welfare Foundation, stated that KKAWF is running prevention program for youth in Pakistan because 135 Million populations are below 30 years. KKAWF fully support common position on drugs and implementing in their programs. Dayana Vincent, Fourth Waves Foundation, stated that their Foundation working with the youth and implementing prevention program as recommended in Common position on drugs. She further mentioned that G-20 conference going to be held in India but drug demand reduction in not included in the agenda of G-20. She has also suggested that VNGOC may write G-20 for inclusion of DDR in G-20 conference. She said they fully support common position on drugs. Unchisa Waiting, International Consortium for Drug Policy was also speakers of event. She said their organization fully support the common position on drugs. Mr. Augusto Noguera ARTM and VNGOC was moderated the event.