Countries have worked together for more than one hundred years in order to prevent the problem of non-medical use of narcotic drugs. Much has been achieved, but much more can be done in the future to prevent young people from experimenting with illegal drugs and thus exposing themselves to the risk of becoming addicted.

WFAD believes that it is important to identify and promote good examples of policies and programs that are efficient and make a difference to reduce drug abuse. Every day of the year, in all corners of the world, people do important work to prevent drug abuse. It is important for those involved to get to know each other, exchange experiences and establish networks across borders and between continents.

Major landmarks of WFAD, 2009-2013

  • 2008; The 1st World Forum Against Drugs was arranged by 10 Swedish organisations, in Stockholm Sweden
  • 2009; World Federation Against Drugs was funded by the organisations present at the 1st Forum, with the aim to harness the power of the NGOs around the world to reverse the drug problem.
  • 2009; WFAD took active part in the international debate around illicit drugs, among other activities WFAD was present at the CND meeting in Vienna for the first time
  • 2010; WFAD published the report “Children’s rights and drug use” [1]
  • 2010; The 2nd World Forum Against Drugs was arranged by WFAD attracting participants from all over the world. In connection with the Forum, the first congress of WFAD was held.
  • 2010; WFAD was present at the Ministerial meeting about illicit drugs at the African Union
  • 2011; WFAD co-hosted a side event at the CND meeting in Vienna, “The Right of Children to Be Protected from Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances”
  • 2012; WFAD published the book “The Protection of Children from Illicit Drugs – A Minimum Human Rights Standard”
  • 2012; WFAD co-hosted a side event in Vienna about the right of the child to be protected against illicit drugs
  • 2012; WFAD arranged the 3rd World Forum Against Drugs in Stockholm, Sweden with around 450 participants from 60 countries.
  • 2012; WFAD’s International president Sven-Olov Carlsson was one of the major speakers at the CIJ conference in Cancun, Mexico.
  • 2013; WFAD co-hosted a side event at the CND meeting in Vienna around cannabis and psychosis
  • 2013; WFAD co-hosted three national seminars in Africa around prevention and children’s right to be protected from illicit drugs