Topic:
Country: Egypt
Delegate Name: Asher Stein
Topic: 2024 – Substance Abuse
Country: Egypt
Committee: ECOSOC/WHO
School: East Grand Rapids
Delegate Name: Asher Stein
Substance abuse, particularly the misuse of drugs, is a growing concern in the nation of Egypt. The role of drugs in Egypt’s population comes with significant complications for public health, stability within societies and communities, and economic development. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime suggests that approximately 10% of the country’s residents engage in illicit drug abuse, nearly double the global average of roughly 5% of people ages 15-64. Youth and young adults are especially at risk as socio-economic challenges, including unemployment and little-to-no access to appropriate mental health stratagem, drive many toward substance misuse.
The Arab Republic of Egypt is committed to addressing this crisis through comprehensive and coordinated efforts. Prevention is a cornerstone of Egypt’s strategy, focusing on nationwide awareness that educates young people and at-risk communities about the dangers of drug use. Collaboration with schools, community organizations, and religious leaders is vital to these initiatives. Egypt has also called for international support from the World Health Organization (WHO) to expand treatment options. This includes easing access to rehabilitation services, training healthcare professionals in evidence-based approaches, and implementing harm reduction strategies like needle exchanges to reduce the spread of drug-related infectious diseases.
Monitoring and evaluation are essential to ensure the success of these initiatives. Egypt proposes creating a robust national database to track trends in drug use, treatment outcomes, and related health indicators. Clear and important data, such as reductions in drug-related hospitalizations and crime rates, will allow for the assessment of progress. Regular reporting to the WHO and other international organizations will provide truthfulness and responsibility, while feedback from local communities might these strategies are working. By addressing substance abuse through prevention, treatment, and thorough evaluation, Egypt aims to protect its citizens, promote public health, and harbor societal resilience.
Works Cited:
Pubmed.ncbi.nlm
Dataunodc.un.org
Harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com
