Baghdad - INA
The Ministry of Health affirmed today, Thursday, its continued efforts to develop drug addiction treatment and mental health services. While noting that combating drugs is among its strategic priorities for the period (2025-2030), the Ministry indicated its reliance on five factors to support the treatment plan.
The representative and advisor to the Minister of Health, Jamal Al-Muhammadawi, stated in a speech delivered during the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking celebration, held under the slogan "A National Partnership to Protect Society from the Scourge of Drugs," and attended by a correspondent from the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The Ministry of Health is committed to continuing to work with all state institutions to protect Iraqi society from the scourge of drugs and to solidify the approach of national partnership in prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation."
He added, "Commemorating this day is an opportunity to renew our resolve to confront this national challenge, stemming from a firm conviction that combating drugs is not the responsibility of a single ministry or institution, but rather a shared national responsibility requiring the integration of roles among all state institutions, the judiciary, security agencies, educational institutions, media outlets, civil society organizations, and Iraqi families, because protecting the individual is the foundation of protecting the nation."
He explained, "The world today faces a growing challenge in the form of the spread of drugs and psychotropic substances and their accompanying health, psychological, social, security, and economic consequences. This necessitates the adoption of integrated national policies that combine early prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, and social reintegration, in parallel with law enforcement and the prosecution of trafficking and distribution networks."
He continued, "From this perspective, the Ministry of Health places this issue among its strategic priorities, stemming from its responsibility to protect public health. This is achieved through strengthening mental health services, developing addiction treatment and rehabilitation services, training medical, psychological, and social personnel, expanding health awareness and education programs, and supporting evidence-based prevention programs, all in line with the National Strategy for Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (2025-2030)."
He pointed out that "the Ministry believes that drug users are patients deserving of treatment, care, and rehabilitation," explaining that "the success of treatment programs is only complete with the provision of a supportive environment that helps them recover and reintegrate into society, alongside the firm application of the law against drug trafficking networks and all those who tamper with the security of society and the future of its youth."
He explained that "the success of the national fight against drugs is not measured solely by the number of seizures or legal actions, important as these are, but also by our ability to prevent harm before it occurs, to reach the most vulnerable groups early, to provide comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation services to all who need them, and to build a health and social system that restores recovering addicts to their active role in society." He pointed out that "the Ministry will continue working on developing addiction treatment and mental health services, expanding prevention and health education programs, and strengthening coordination and integration among all relevant parties through the Supreme National Authority for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, in order to unify national efforts and raise the efficiency of the response to this challenge."
He stated that "our message today is one of hope and responsibility: hope in the possibility of building a more aware, healthy, and secure society, and a shared responsibility that requires us to protect the youth of Iraq, to unite our efforts to protect the Iraqi family, to establish a culture of prevention, and to promote the values of life, productivity, and belonging."
Al- Muhammadawi expressed his gratitude for "all the sincere national efforts exerted by state institutions, members of the Supreme National Commission for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, Iraq's international partners, and all those working in the fields of prevention, treatment, and control."
He affirmed that "the Ministry of Health will remain a key partner in this national responsibility and will continue to work with all relevant parties to translate this vision into practical programs and sustainable initiatives that contribute to protecting Iraqi society and safeguarding the future of its generations."