Kochi: With 120 international delegates from 28 countries, Kochi is all set to host the first ever Asian Regional Forum Against Drugs organised by the World Federation Against Drugs (WFAD), and the Fourth Wave Foundation’s Pro-ject Venda in partnership with the United Nations Office Against Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Excise.
The three-day long event will be inaugurated by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Wednesday. Prominent speakers including Sergey Kapinos of UNODC, Billy Batware, Drug and Crime Prevention Consultant, UNODC, Esbjorn Hornberg, International President, WFAD, etc will be speaking at the forum.
According to Mr Esbjorn Hornberg, there has been a striking increase in demand, supply and distribution of drugs and narcotics globally.
“The youths’ access to drugs is rising dramatically with levels we have never seen before. This is alarming,” he said. “The forum will provide a crucial discussion about its universal prevention and to strengthen the support groups and individuals that are particularly at risk.”
“The Forum will also discuss an effective prevention system which adds value to communities and works towards empowering them. It will also discuss about how to support the organisations working with the children at critical transition periods where they are most vulnerable,” said C.C. Joseph, director, Fourth Wave Foundation.
The effective strategies to prevent substance abuse, community action in empowering prevention and recovery will be other topics of discussion and also workshops regarding the role of enforcement.
