• *Stopping or Change* 
  By Rafi khawar
  (Pakistan).
  Lets talk about modern trends in Addiction Treatment vs Old fashioned methods of treatment to Fix the Drug taker.
  We as a society ,family focus on institutionalized Memories which means drug taking must be stopped and  its good for the Family,Society and for the person  himself .With this institutional mind ,we focus on just to STOP the Behaviour .
   *Stopping is Relapsing*  
  At the other hand, Modern approach like Motivational Interviewing focuses on CHANGE.
   Behavioural change brings positive results because its matter of choice  with...

• *Family Toxic Care (FTC)* 
  by Rafi Khawar highlights the unintended harm that families of addicts can cause due to lack of professional guidance. Here's a breakdown:
   *Toxic Care**: 
  Care that produces negative emotions like anger, disappointment, pity, and insecurity, ultimately limiting the addict's recovery options- *Examples of Toxic Care*

• 
   *1 Nagging*

• Constantly reminding the addict of their addiction, creating guilt and shame.

• 
   *2 Enabling*

• Doing things for the addict that they should do themselves, perpetuating dependence.

• *3 Criticizing*:

• Focusi...

• *Mom Dad Suitcase Approach* 
  Psychologist Rafi khawar (Pakistan)
  rafi khawar960 @gmail.com
  In Addiction , Family of an addict , due to unwanted environment at home , learns and adopt Anti Recovery Communication Patterns (ARCP).anger , disappointments,detachments plays their role to snatch all the soft tones and smiles .They bring their suitcase with them full of these family patterns and handed over to the professional or Self labeled professionals
  Untrained and inexperienced Health Care Professionals use this Suitcase ( the traditional family methods to convince or force client to quit...

• *The Thought Recognition Technique (TRT)* by Psychologist Rafi Khawar emphasizes the importance of recognizing and managing thoughts to promote psychological well-being. The technique highlights the gap between thinking and acting, referred to as "Thinstion," which can be leveraged to make better decisions and improve mental health.

  Key Components:
  1. *Awareness of Thoughts*: Recognizing the role of thoughts in shaping behavior and emotions.
  2. *Thinstion*: The gap between thinking and acting, which can be utilized to make more informed decisions.
  3. *Increasing the Gap*: By enhancing...

*WRIST*

Wise Rules In Substance Treatment.

By Psychologist Rafi Khawar (Pakistan)

1 Working allience

2 Recovery oriented

3 Integrated approaches

4 Signified environment

5 Transparent documentation.

The Trigger Zip Closing Technique by Rafi Khawar is a helpful tool for managing environmental triggers during recovery. Here's how it works: - Imagine having a "Recovery" bag with you whenever you go out. - When faced with triggers like old friends, bars, or other challenging situations, visualize closing the zip on your imaginary "Recovery" bag. - This simple act can help reduce the intensity of the trigger, making your recovery journey safer. By using this technique, you can better cope with unexpected triggers and stay on track with your recovery goals. Give it a try whenever you need it!

We’d love to hear from you! What do ISSUP National Chapters mean to you? Share your reflections in the comments, and your thoughts may be featured on the National Chapters webpage.

By: Julius Konton

The Ministry of Health (MOH), serving as chair of the Government’s Anti-Drug Multi-Sectoral Steering Committee, has been accused of violating Liberia’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Law after reportedly failing to respond to a formal request for documents filed by the Global Action for Sustainable Development (GASD).

According to GASD Executive Director James Koryor, the request was filed on August 11, 2025, and officially received by the MOH on August 13, 2025.

The organization, which works on substance abuse prevention and drug policy reforms, had sought access to the...

*Strength Based Family 12 Steps* 
By  Psychologist Rafi Khawar.(Pakistan)24_08_
2025

rafikhawar960 [at] gmail [dot] com
In Addiction Recovery process ,no one can deny the importance of Family Role.
Family role has vital importance because Recovery and Relapse both can occur due to positive and negative role respectively .
These 12 steps have very special name for Addict which can eliminate stigma and give proper attention to the problem .Victim of Craving( VC) is a new term for Addict. 
These steps provide positive directions to family to play its role in supporting VC.
Here are Strength Based 12 Steps...

#SayNoToDrugsMarch

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIA

A Cry to Save a Dying Generation and Protect Our Future

Mr. President,

Honorable Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Distinguished Members of the House of Representatives,

Mr. Vice President, Madame President Pro Tempore and Distinguished Members of the Senate.

It is with heavy hearts and trembling voices that we, concerned citizens and residents of the Republic of Liberia, bring this petition to you in this moment of national emergency. Our ultimate goal is to engage the Government in putting in place several measures to fully and...

• Addiction is very compelx to understand thats why every person has a bulk of advice for the the victim of addiction. Just like a drowning person in the river hears many voices,orders,shouts for his safty..No doubt family intentions are postive and caring but in the River only the drowning person knows the speed and depth of water.
  Like this a person facing addiction only  knows  the intensity of cravings and physical and psychological Demands  and he listens addictive voices  of this disorder.
  For better recovery ,after completing the whole process of initial treatment ,there is a need to...

*The Journey of Addiction* *Prevention and Professional* *Growth in Africa* 

The fight against addiction in Africa is a complex journey marked by resilience, resourcefulness, and the undeniable need for structural reform. As the continent grapples with rising rates of substance abuse—especially among the youth—there is a growing awareness of the need for both preventive efforts and the professionalization of addiction services.

 *A Growing Crisis* 

Substance abuse, once considered a problem of the West, is now deeply rooted in African societies. Factors such as unemployment, poverty...

Official Statement by Global Action for Sustainable Development (GASD)
On the Occasion of the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

June 26, 2025

On this 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Global Action for Sustainable Development (GASD) joins the international community in commemorating a day dedicated to raising awareness of the devastating impact of drug abuse on individuals, families, and communities across the world. Established by the United Nations, this day calls for global cooperation to combat drug trafficking and to...

Global Action for Sustainable Development-GASD Launched First-Ever Evidence-Based Substance Used Disorders Prevention in Liberia. 

The Substance Abuse Free Environment (SAFE) School-Based Intervention Program is designed as a comprehensive, school-based prevention model that seeks to develop and enhance students’ personal, interpersonal, and drug resistance skills. It aims to introduce, implement, and sustain evidence-based substance abuse prevention initiatives in schools across Liberia through a participatory and inclusive approach that engages students, school authorities, and community...

Strengthening Our Fight Against Drugs Through Grassroots Action.

Dear Team,

As we continue our collective efforts to prevent drug and substance abuse, it is becoming increasingly clear that real and lasting impact starts at the grassroots level. The strength of any movement lies in its foundation—and for us, that foundation is our communities.

Building a grassroots network in our areas is not just important—it is essential. By empowering local leaders, engaging families, collaborating with schools, religious institutions, youth groups, and community-based organizations, we create a strong...

• *Patient Parking*
  Rafi khawar (pakistan).
  01_19_2025.
  This term is introduced by me in my upcoming Book *Talb*in urdu, means Craving.  
  Patient parking is used when family of  Person with SUD lost Hopes of Recovery of their loved one and faces  episodes of  Relapse constantly,They admitted him in Residential facility just for their own relaxation and ease for the time being and unload themselves from panic situations,Worries and for any upcoming event in the family like marriage of any family member ets, but not for Patient,s recovery because they have no hope of this due to...

Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Wellbeing have called for the swift passage of proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Law, including a complete ban on e-cigarettes or vaping.

This demand was raised during a youth gathering titled “Demand for Banning E-Cigarettes and Vaping and Immediate Passage of Proposed Tobacco Control Law Amendments”, held in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh, Dhaka, on Thursday morning. Over a hundred students from various universities, including Dhaka University and Jahangirnagar University, participated in the event. The participants emphasized...

A seminar was organized on the occasion of World AIDS Day, focusing on the theme of the rights of key populations in Bangladesh. The event took place on Saturday, November 30, at 11 AM in the auditorium of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, under the Health and WASH Sector of the organization.

As an honorable guest at the seminar, Dr. Ronawok Khan, Chief of Party of the HIV/AIDS Program at Save the Children, stated, "Today, key populations, including PWID (People Who Inject Drugs) and sex workers, are deprived of their rightful access to health protection and various government social security services...