Civil Society Gathers to Combat Youth Narcotics

The fourth edition of the Civil Society and Citizenship Forum opened today in Algiers under the slogan "Aware Youth… Society Without Drugs." This two-day event serves as a platform for dialogue, consultation, and the exchange of expertise, gathering representatives from relevant sectors, civil society, experts, and academics. Its primary aim is to strengthen coordination among various stakeholders and to develop practical, effective mechanisms for drug prevention and youth protection. The forum's agenda includes interactive sessions and workshops addressing existing measures to combat and prevent narcotics, alongside presenting practical proposals in this critical area.

Organized under the patronage of Mustapha Hidaoui, Minister of Youth and in charge of the High Council for Youth, and Mohamed Abd Ennour Rabhi, Minister and Governor of Algiers Province, the forum hosts 300 participants from 40 provinces. Adel Tejjar, Director of Youth, Sports, and Leisure for Algiers Province, highlighted the danger posed by drugs and psychotropic substances to youth energy and societal immunity, stressing the need for intensified, integrated efforts from all actors. He underscored the forum's objective to establish the central and effective role of youth and sports civil society as a fundamental partner in prevention and combat, activating youth and local spaces to foster creativity and purposeful activities.

Mourad Rabah Yezza, Delegated Governor of the Bouzaréah Administrative District, representing the Governor of Algiers Province, affirmed the forum's role as a space for dialogue, experience sharing, and unifying efforts. He emphasized that such initiatives contribute to spreading awareness, enhancing a culture of citizenship, solidifying values of responsibility, and encouraging youth engagement in cultural and sports activities. Algiers Province places significant importance on these initiatives, driven by the belief that protecting youth from the scourge of drugs is a collective responsibility requiring continuous fieldwork and ongoing coordination among various sectors, local communities, and active associations.