Regional Forum in Lebanon
In collaboration with WFAD and under the patronage of H.E Pierre Bou Assy, Minister of Social Affairs in Lebanon, Nusroto Al-Anashid Association organized an international convention on Drugs at Monroe Hotel in Downtown – Beirut,Lebanon on May 3rd & 4th, 2017.
The conference aimed to:
- Raise awareness in Lebanon around strategies for drug prevention and their implementation in the educational system;
- Discuss the most deceloiped types of treatment and rehabilitation;
- Educate and promote healthy options for a drug-free environment;
- Exchange and share experience and knowledge.
The opening day was attended by the Minister of Social Affairs, Mr. Pierre Bou Assi, representatives of the Ministers of Justice, Health, Interior and Education, MPs and Ministers, including former Minister of Social Affairs Dr. Salim Sayegh, President of the World Federation Against Drugs, Mr. Sven-Olov Carlsson, , Head of Law Enforcement in Lebanon, Head of the Customs Office, Ambassador Graziella Seif, President of the International Ambassadors Association in the United States, Ambassador Aftab Khokher, Raúl Madrigas charge d’Affaire for the Cuban Embassy, the Mayor of Zahle, and the Bishops, Judges, Lawyers, heads of parties, Media, Priests, civil society figures and specialists such as psychiatrists, professors and therapists. The conference was attended by specialists from Sweden, Austria, Pakistan, Tunisia, Cuba, several African countries, Saudi Arabia and Syria. The conference of “Drugs: Prevention and Treatment” highlighted about a dangerous file that results in cases of disability and death. The Lebanese Minister of Media Melhem Al-Riachi told the audience that from the platform of the Nusroto-Association Conference he will protest drugs through the Lebanese state radio, to allocate special awareness programs on the Drug problem as well as on the official television channel of Lebanon. He also has the right to oblige other media institutions to publish what he deems necessary.
President of the WFAD Mr. Sven-Olov Carlsson said: “We believe that working for a drug-free world will promote human development, dignity, democracy, tolerance, equality, freedom and justice,”, also focusing on the importance of disseminating prevention strategies that solely protect future generations from the scourge of drugs, noting the great work and efforts implemented by Nusroto Association in Bekaa region. Minister Al-Sayegh presented the importance of the role of non-governmental organizations in dealing with drug addicts. MP Joseph Maalouf gave a lecture on the reasons for the amendment of the drug law, which deals with the subject of drug legislation, saying that the Lebanese state is not ready for it.
Father Marwan Ghanem, President of the Nusroto Association, who spoke at the opening session about the conference’s objectives: to help patients with drugs at all levels of life, to identify action plans to spread the culture of drug risk awareness, and to develop human resource capacities in the fight against drugs. Father Ghanem ended the conference by highlighting the roles of this conference and Nusroto-Al-Anashid Association in the fight against drugs. Also he has promised to issue a book about the conference, summing up the sessions and making important recommendations to the legislative and governmental authorities.
The vice president of the Nusroto Association and the representative of the Asian continent at the WFAD , Mrs. Rima Saade Turk, who directed and organized the conference, spoke about Marijuana in the countries of Asia, she focused on trading this kind of drugs in Lebanon, which is profitable despite its illegitimacy.
The recommendations made by the conference were presented to the Excellency President of Lebanon.
Photos from the conference can be found here.