President: Neighborhood-Centered Governance Key to Managing Social Harm
Speaking at the ceremony, President Masoud Pezeshkian described “neighborhood-centered approaches” as one of the government’s most important capacities for social governance and the management of social harms.
He emphasized that by establishing:
- Treatment services
- Counseling centers
- Support mechanisms
- Monitoring systems
within neighborhoods, authorities can identify and support individuals at risk of addiction more rapidly and effectively, preventing the expansion of social harms.
The President also stressed the importance of active engagement by public institutions within communities, noting that expanding neighborhood-based services not only improves public access to specialized support but also strengthens the participation of families and civil society organizations in addiction prevention.
Three-Pronged Prevention Strategy
Over recent years, the State Welfare Organization has implemented addiction prevention policies through three interconnected approaches:
- Individual-centered
- Family-centered
- Community-centered
The organization annually provides educational, preventive, and empowerment services to more than 100,000 individuals across the country.
Specialized Prevention Programs
The Welfare Organization has also developed several targeted programs tailored to the needs of different social groups.
“Pazak” Program
One of the organization’s specialized initiatives is the “Pazak” program, designed to prevent addiction among:
- Women whose spouses struggle with addiction
- Their children
The program focuses on:
- Strengthening family resilience
- Life skills education
- Reducing risk factors
“Patra” Program
Another initiative, known as “Patra,” is a community-based project aimed at improving:
- Cognitive abilities
- Social skills
among residents of underprivileged and vulnerable urban neighborhoods.
“Kian” Workplace Initiative
In workplace settings, the “Kian” program provides training for:
- Employees
- Workers
- Employers
The initiative seeks to increase awareness about the consequences of drug use and promote safer and healthier work environments.
The recognition of the Welfare Organization at the national ceremony highlights the growing emphasis on community-based and preventive approaches in Iran’s broader strategy for addressing addiction and social vulnerability.
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