The International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Agency (INL) of United States of America in collaboration with the Colombo Plan, held the annual meeting for Afghan stakeholders in Singapore between December 06 to 08, 2010. The VWO team, lead by the Executive Director, Mrs. Suraya Pakzad, also attended the event. Other members of VWO team included the coordinators of the treatment centers for Adolescents, Women and Children.

On the sidelines of the annual meeting, the participants were taken to exposure visits to various treatment centers for drug addicts in Singapore city.  In addition the participants also visited the Central Narcotic Bureau of Singapore (CNBS) where they were briefed on the standard of operations and  services provided to the treatment centers by the government of Singapore.

Participating agencies from Afghanistan presented their programs and activities that they implemented in 2010. They also shared the major challenges and problems with other participants and officials of Colombo Plan. A number of key decisions were made as a result of the group discussion held at the end of this annual meeting. The participants also shared their experiences and views with regard to the improvement of services provided to the drug addicts in Afghanistan.

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: Leadership in Civil Society winner Suraya Pakzad speaks during the Clinton Global Citizens Awards at the conclusion to the annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) on September 23, 2010 in New York City. The sixth annual meeting of the CGI gathers prominent individuals in politics, business, science, academics, religion and entertainment to discuss global issues such as climate change and the reconstruction of Haiti. The event, founded by Clinton after he left office, is held the same week as the General Assembly at the United Nations, when most world leaders are in New York City.

Drug Amidst tight security, the Addicted Adolescent Treatment Centre (DAAT) in Heart Province was inaugurated by the Honorable Minister of Counter Narcotics, Mr. Zarrar Ahmad Muqbil, in the company of the Honorable Governor Herat, Mr. Ahmad Yousaf Nooristani on Sunday  August 9, 2010. A high level delegation of officials from Kabul and dignitaries from Herat also attended the ceremony. Representatives from International Narcotics & Law Enforcement (Donor of the project), Colombo Plan (Technical Facilitator) and US Embassy Kabul also added to the glory of the occassion. . Executive Director of VWO, Mrs. Suraya Pakzad, Honorable Governor Herat, Honorable Minister of Counter Narcotics and Head of Public Health Department, Herat, Mr. Rashid expressed their views.

The Chief Guest, Honorable Minister of Counter Narcotics and Honorable Governor Herat were much happy to listen to the story of a patient who told them that he was re-born in this clinic and can now look forward to a new life ahead of him.

The DAAT Centre that started providing services in March, 2010, has a contractual period of eleven calendar months. The clinic has the capacity of 50 beds and provides complete treatment and rehabilitation services on 24/7 basis. Patients are scheduled to go through two phases of treatment and rehabilitation each lasting for three months. The second phase engages them in vocational training and skill building in order to make them self-reliant and useful citizen.