Syria, UNODC agree to develop anti-drug cooperation program

Vienna, Oct. 8 (SANA) Syria and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) agreed to develop an integrated cooperation program to strengthen Syria’s capacity to combat drugs following three days of technical consultations in Vienna.

Cooperation priorities

The Syrian delegation, headed by Director of the Anti-Narcotics Directorate at the Ministry of Interior Brigadier General Khaled Eid, held talks with UNODC officials on strengthening international cooperation, exchanging information and expertise, and supporting training and capacity-building programs.

The discussions also covered the possibility of providing modern equipment and technologies for anti-narcotics authorities, Eid told SANA.

The talks addressed the development of early-warning and monitoring mechanisms for drugs and new substances, as well as cooperation in laboratory analysis and drug detection and the use of UNODC expertise and technology, he said.

Eid said the two sides also discussed prevention, awareness, treatment and rehabilitation programs, including those targeting prisons and communities, and the possibility of Syria joining international cooperation and expertise-sharing networks affiliated with the United Nations.

He said the two sides agreed to continue coordination and work on an integrated cooperation program that addresses Syria’s needs and priorities in combating drugs, strengthens national capabilities and expands cooperation with specialized international institutions and networks.

Laboratory visit

During the visit, the Syrian delegation held a series of meetings and specialized sessions with UNODC representatives and visited the office’s laboratories at the Vienna International Centre.

The delegation was briefed on standards and procedures for analyzing and identifying narcotic substances, as well as the latest detection and laboratory-analysis equipment and technologies.

The Vienna-based UNODC assists member states in addressing illicit drugs, organized crime, corruption and crime prevention.