NADC and UoM organise multidisciplinary discussion to examine key drug issues

Tertiary students were encouraged, by the Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research, Dr Kaviraj Sharma Sukon, to abstain from substance use and to raise awareness among their peers and community to foster a safe drug-free environment on their campus.

The Minister made this intervention during the launching of a half-day workshop focusing on the theme, ‘Addressing Drug Use through Public and Social Equity: Youths and Communities at the Center’ this morning at the University of Mauritius (UoM), in Réduit.

The initiative was held in context of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2026 being marked under the theme ‘The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses’.

The National Agency for Drug Control (NADC) in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of the university, regrouped a multidisciplinary panel discussion with experts from the Agency, academia, and civil society organisations to examine issues such as addiction, trauma, social equity, stigma, HIV/AIDS, community-based prevention, harm reduction, and evidence-based treatment approaches for substance use.

In his keynote address, Dr Sukon underscored the Government's priority in combating drug abuse so that no child is left trapped by addiction. This unwavering commitment is clearly demonstrated in the 2026–27 Budget, which channels substantial financial resources into the national anti-drug initiative, he recalled.

He highlighted the commitment of different Ministries to partake in this mission for the nation's welfare, stressing the urgent need for collaboration across the academia. He noted with concern that the 2024 National Drug Observatory Report showed that three-quarters of the 1,081 public hospital admissions were young people aged 18 to 35.

“Addressing this urgent issue requires a multidisciplinary approach. We need every academic discipline involved to protect our students on all higher education campuses,” stated the Minister. Additionally, he called on the NADC and the UoM to conduct campus-specific drug research to enable targeted actions.

Speaking about the theme of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2026, the Chairperson of the NADC, Ms Nadia Peerun, said that it prompts us to critically reflect on our national response to address new and persisting challenges and act with innovative responses. She underpinned prevention as a first line of defence, stressing the need to equip young people with knowledge, resilience and skills to help them make informed decisions, thereby reducing future harm and strengthening the society.

As regards tackling addiction, the Chairperson of the NADC stated that it should be viewed beyond a criminal justice lens, requiring instead a more comprehensive understanding to design more effective and humane responses.

The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Professor (Dr) M F Mahomoodally, qualified the initiative as an excellent platform to learn and undertake meaningful dialogue on tackling one of the most pressing public health and social challenges of current times.

26 June 2026

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Topics: Drugs