Building Resilient Youth and Families for Drug Prevention

Building Resilient Youth and Families for Drug Prevention

Hybrid Side Event – 10 March 2026
69th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)
Venue: Vienna International Centre, Headquarters of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna

Background

A hybrid side event titled “Building Resilient Youth and Families for Drug Prevention” was organized by the Pakistan Youth Organization on 10 March 2026 during the 69th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs at the Vienna International Centre, headquarters of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna Austria. The event brought together international experts, practitioners, and representatives from global organizations to discuss the role of resilience-building among youth and families as a key strategy for preventing drug abuse.

The side event aimed to highlight practical prevention approaches including life skills education, family strengthening programs, and healthy youth engagement activities.

The event was co-hosted by the following organizations:

• Mian Afzal Trust Hospital (a project of the Mian Muhammad Afzal Memorial Trust, Pakistan)
• Drug Free America Foundation
• World Federation Against Drugs
• Drug Abuse Prevention Centre (Japan)
• Asia Pacific Confederation against Drugs
• Organization for Addiction Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation (Malaysia)
• Singapore Anti Narcotic Association
• Association Proyecto Hombre
• Dhaka Ahsania Mission

Opening and Moderation

The side event was moderated by Ms. Amy Ronshausen, President of the Drug Free America Foundation and World Federation Against Drugs. She highlighted the objectives of the event and emphasized that building resilience among youth and families is essential for effective drug prevention.

Sana Ullah Rathore Founder & President Pakistan Youth Organization and Mian Afzal Trust Hospital, welcomed the panelists as well as the in-person and online participants. He emphasized the importance of strengthening resilience among youth and families to combat drug abuse and highlighted the work of the Pakistan Youth Organization in this area. He shared that the organization conducts life skills training, healthy youth activities, and parenting skills programs to support families and young people. He also emphasized that civil society, Government and community has to play their role for drug prevention.

Key Presentations

Several international experts shared their experiences and prevention strategies:

• Akira Fujino, President of the Drug Abuse Prevention Centre (Japan), presented the prevention programs implemented in Japan and highlighted the importance of community awareness and youth engagement.
• Cindy Biding, President of the Organization for Addiction Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation (Malaysia), discussed how her organization works with school students to strengthen resilience and promote healthy lifestyles.
• Cressida de Witte from the World Federation Against Drugs emphasized the role of global partnerships in strengthening prevention efforts. She also presented the Youth Declaration for Drug Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, developed by a global youth group facilitated by the World Federation Against Drugs together with the Pakistan Youth Organization and partner organizations.
• Rocio Suarez Ordoñez from TSAFI (Argentina) highlighted the connection between trauma and resilience, stressing that addressing trauma can significantly contribute to effective drug prevention strategies.

Discussion and Key Messages

Speakers and participants emphasized that resilience-building among youth and families is a fundamental component of effective drug prevention. The discussion highlighted several key approaches:

• Strengthening life skills education for young people
• Promoting healthy recreational and social activities
• Supporting parenting skills and family-based prevention programs
• Addressing trauma and psychosocial factors linked to substance abuse

Participants agreed that collaboration among governments, civil society organizations, and international partners is essential to strengthen prevention efforts globally.

Participation

The event was attended by representatives and professionals from international organizations including the World Health Organization and the International Society of Substance Use Professionals.

Distinguished participants included Khalid Saeed from the World Health Organization, Joanna Travis-Roberts, CEO of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals, and Regina Mattsson, Secretary General of the World Federation Against Drugs, along with other international experts and practitioners.

A large number of professionals from different countries also participated virtually, reflecting strong global interest in the topic of youth and family resilience for drug prevention.