NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

I. INITIATIVES OF THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL PROGRAMME INVOLVING NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

A. Fund to support activities by non-governmental organizations in developing countries

1. In the course of 1996, UNDCP's special fund supporting NGO activities in developing countries distributed US$ 500.000 in the form of grants to NGOs involved in demand reduction activities. Since 1994 this special fund has been supported entirely by contributions from the Drug Abuse Prevention Centre (DAPC), a Japanese NGO which contributed a total of US$ 1.42 million to UNDCP between 1994-1996.

2. The contribution of US$ 500.000 in 1996 made possible the funding of some 50 projects proposed by NGOs involved in drug abuse prevention, information and education programmes. One project, the "All India Street Theatre Workshop Against Drug Abuse" organized by STEP (Society for Theatre Education for People) in Delhi, is promoting a national street theatre campaign networking with other NGOs involved in drug control activities in different States and equipping the NGO participants with scripts and plays. In Senegal, the NGO Tabanka Rootes produced a music video with a drug abuse prevention message aimed at the 10-18 age group which will be nationally broadcasted. In Estonia, the project of the NGO "A-clinic", aimed at the reduction of substance abuse and related family violence, provides information on drug abuse through mass-media announcements, access to treatment for families, and training to advisers and trainers involved in drug abuse and related matters.

3. A further contribution of US$ 500.000 has been pledged in 1997 from DAPC to the fund. It will enable UNDCP to promote and support new NGO activities in the field of drug abuse prevention. UNDCP would welcome further donations to the funding of NGO demand reduction activities.

B. Projects to mobilize NGOs

4. The importance and effectiveness of NGO activity and cooperation in demand reduction programmes has been recognized by UNDCP, which is funding projects aimed at the strengthening the demand reduction efforts of local NGOs and supporting NGO networks.

5. The three-year project launched in mid 1995 with the purpose of enhancing the capacity of NGOs in drug demand reduction in Eastern and Southern Africa continues its work. The project covers 20 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa and provides advisory services, training, information materials and grants to NGOs which have already specialized in drug demand reduction and is, in addition, identifying, mobilizing and strengthening non-specialized NGOs to build up their capacity to carry out drug control activities. In order to facilitate the exchange of information, formal and informal contacts between all cooperating bodies in the field of demand reduction, a monthly newsletter has been prepared as part of the project.

6. In West Africa, a new project aimed at the strengthening of NGO capacity recently started. Executed by the international Federation of NGOs against Drug Abuse (FIOD) it is expected to provide systematic and coordinated assistance to selected NGOs through training and advisory and financial support for the formulation and implementation of projects in demand reduction.

7. A major five-year "Global Initiative on Primary Prevention of Substance Abuse" involving direct support to NGOs in Central and Eastern Europe, Southern Africa and South East Asia has been finalized and is expected to start in March 1997.

C. Directory of Non-governmental Organizations working in Drug Demand Reduction

8. As a follow-up to the UNDCP-sponsored World NGO Forum in Drug Demand Reduction (December 1994), a directory of almost 400 NGOs working in drug demand reduction was published and distributed in August 1996. The directory is intended to facilitate contacts and the exchange of information between organizations and to promote networking and collaboration in the demand reduction field.

II. REPORTS FROM NON-GOVERNMENTAL UMBRELLA ORGANIZATIONS AND NETWORKS

9. Part II is a summary based on the reports submitted by NGO umbrella organizations on their activities in 1996.

A. Drug Demand Reduction Networks in Africa

10. In Africa, where it is planned eventually to establish an All-Africa Network, various activities at the national and the subregional levels were reported in 1996.

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In North Africa, the Arab Association for Prevention of Drugs and Addiction (APDA) was established in the first half of 1996. It covers Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia. NGOs from Gaza, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE and Yemen are also members. APDA's activities include the promotion of projects related to prevention of drug abuse in Arab countries and the training of NGO members working in the field of drug abuse; information and experience exchange through a bulletin; participation in several national and international conferences; and the establishment of NGO committees at the national level in the Arab countries concerned.

(...)

B. Drug Prevention Network of the Americas

Red interamericana para la Prevención Sobre Drogas

13. During 1996, the Drug Prevention Network of the Americas/Red interamericana para la Prevención Sobre Drogas, has continued its work in the development of a network in order to facilitate communication and cooperation among NGOs from North and South America.

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15. In a joint effort with other NGOs, DPNA/RIPRED is currently joining the Governments of Brazil and the United States of America, the Mayor of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and UNDCP in sponsoring the Latin American Cities Against Drugs Conference scheduled for May 1997. Key objectives of the Conference will be the signature of the Sao Paulo Declaration - rejecting drug legalization and supporting alternative solutions to the drug problem - and the establishment of a new network among cities and drug prevention organizations in Latin America, better information sharing, professional exchanges and more effectiveness in joint demand reduction activities.

16. Plans for the preparation of a conference on Drug Demand Reduction in Lima are under development. The Conference is expected to be held in late 1997.

C. International Federation of Non-Government Organizations for the Prevention of Drug and Substance Abuse

17. During 1996 IFNGO - an international network of NGOs involved in demand reduction activities established in 1981 and based in Kuala Lumpur - increased its membership to 54 members representing 32 countries (with concentrated representation from the Asia and the Pacific region).

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D. Vienna NGO Committee on Narcotic Drugs

24. The Vienna NGO Committee held eight sessions in 1996. During the year, the Committee continued to expand its contacts with other NGOs and NGO networks and 13 NGOs were admitted to membership.

25. Close cooperation with UNDCP as well as with the NGO Committee in New York continued throughout the year; during consultations, in November 1996, the two Committees planned joint activities in conjunction with the 1988 Special Session of the General Assembly.

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E. Vienna NGO Committee's Member Organisations:

- CENTRO ITALIANO DI SOLIDARIETA' (CeIS)

- INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN (ICW)

- INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL AND ADDICTIONS (ICAA)

- LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL

- PAX ROMANA ICMICA-MIIC

- WORLD ORGANISATION OF THE SCOUT MOVEMENT (WOSM)

- WORLD LEISURE AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION (WARLESS)