Topic: 2024-Substance Abuse
Country: Algeria
Delegate Name: Raksha Karunanithy
World Health Organization
Substance Abuse
The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
Raksha Karunanithy
Forest Hills Eastern
The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria addresses substance abuse as an increasingly important global health and social crisis. As a country that sits at the crossroads of Africa and Europe, Algeria faces complicated challenges in responding to drug trafficking and the domestic misuse of substances which includes cannabis, cocaine, and synthetic drugs. Algeria’s government has implemented a strategy which prioritizes prevention, treatment, and enforcement. Public awareness campaigns that have been established focus on targeting the youth and families to teach them about the risks of substance abuse and to promote healthier lifestyles. Healthcare services have expanded to include specialized addiction treatment centers and rehabilitation programs while ensuring and giving extra attention to rural and underserved populations, ensuring no one is left behind. Community-based rehabilitation programs further support recovery by offering vocational training, mental health support, and encourage reintegration.
Algeria addresses that substance abuse is not confined within a nation’s borders and requires a unified global response. The country has prioritized international cooperation through partnerships with organizations like the African Union and the Arab League, as well as actively engaging and collaborating with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). These efforts mainly focus on targeting transnational drug trafficking networks, strengthening border controls, and sharing intelligence and technology to combat the entering and exiting of illicit substances. Algeria advocates for increased collaboration among WHO members, particularly in nations where resources are limited and scarce. The nation puts emphasis on the urgency of increasing global investment in prevention and treatment programs, especially those targeting synthetic drug trends and other threats. International funding and technical support should prioritize capacity building efforts, to ensure that vulnerable countries have the tools to effectively address the substance abuse within their borders.
Algeria advocates for policies that align drug prevention with broader social equity goals, including education access, and mental health support. By tackling the socio-economic factors that influence addiction, the international community can promote sustainable heath systems and protect vulnerable populations. Algeria continues to remain stubborn when it comes to its commitment to combating substance abuse and looks forward to working with World Health Organization states to develop an innovative and effective response to this increasing global issue.
