A high-level side event to commemorate the 30th anniversary of DAPC grants titled“Dame. Zettai.” (Never. Ever.) “Value yourself.” drug prevention appeal from Japan after 30 years
2023/3/14
On 14 March 2023, the Government of Japan hosted a high-level side event on the margins of the 66th regular session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the grants pledged by the Drug Abuse Prevention Center (DAPC) for drug prevention projects led by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The event was attended by Ms. Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC, Ms. Jagjit Pavadia, President of the International Narcotics Board (INCB), Mr. Akira Fujino, President of the DAPC, Mr. Takeshi Hikihara, Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, Dr. Daisaku Sato, Director for the Compliance and Narcotic Division of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and youth from various countries, as well as an opening video message from Mr. Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan.
Prime Minister Kishida thanked DAPC and UNODC for their cooperation and emphasized that drug abuse prevention and support for the social reintegration of victim of drug addiction must be continued from generation to generation.
Ms. Waly expressed her appreciation for the longstanding involvement of Japanese youth in fund-raising campaigns since 1993 and for contributing to the health of people around the world. Youth from NGOs in Laos, Montenegro, Peru, Turkey, and Japan gave presentations on the achievements they have made and challenges they have faced in their drug prevention activities supported by the DAPC grants.
Mr. Fujino highlighted the numerous efforts made by DAPC over the past three decades and suggested the consideration of a relevant informal international platform, possibly regional forums to this end.
The event was attended by Ms. Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC, Ms. Jagjit Pavadia, President of the International Narcotics Board (INCB), Mr. Akira Fujino, President of the DAPC, Mr. Takeshi Hikihara, Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, Dr. Daisaku Sato, Director for the Compliance and Narcotic Division of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and youth from various countries, as well as an opening video message from Mr. Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan.
Prime Minister Kishida thanked DAPC and UNODC for their cooperation and emphasized that drug abuse prevention and support for the social reintegration of victim of drug addiction must be continued from generation to generation.
Ms. Waly expressed her appreciation for the longstanding involvement of Japanese youth in fund-raising campaigns since 1993 and for contributing to the health of people around the world. Youth from NGOs in Laos, Montenegro, Peru, Turkey, and Japan gave presentations on the achievements they have made and challenges they have faced in their drug prevention activities supported by the DAPC grants.
Mr. Fujino highlighted the numerous efforts made by DAPC over the past three decades and suggested the consideration of a relevant informal international platform, possibly regional forums to this end.
[Related links]
Video message from the Prime Minister Kishida
UNODC’s article on the side event
UNODC’s website on the DAPC Grants Program
Drug Abuse Prevention Center (Japanese)