Damascus, Jan. 21 (SANA) Syria and the World Health Organization (WHO) are working together on a national strategy to address addiction while the country is moving forward with its post-war plan.
Deputy Health Minister Hussein al-Khatib described addiction as one of the country’s most sensitive health and social challenges, emphasizing that tackling it requires a coordinated, long-term approach rather than temporary measures.
Speaking at a joint press conference with WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Hanan Balkhi and UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Director Cristina Albertin, al-Khatib outlined Syria’s national strategy for 2026–2030. The plan focuses on four main areas: governance and policy, health services and treatment, prevention and harm reduction, and information, monitoring, and research.
Al-Khatib said the initiative will target vulnerable groups, including youth and adolescents, women, people in detention, displaced populations, and survivors of violence. The strategy aims to provide continuous, sustainable services that prevent relapse and support reintegration into society.
He also emphasized the importance of international partnerships to translate Syria’s priorities into funded programs with measurable impact, forming a central part of the country’s broader health and social recovery efforts.
Balkhi highlighted that addiction is primarily a public health issue requiring coordinated prevention and treatment services delivered with dignity. She reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Syria alongside UNODC and other partners, aligning with regional initiatives to accelerate public health measures on substance use.
Albertin stressed UNODC’s support for sustainable, long-term solutions, noting that addressing addiction requires tackling both supply and demand.
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