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Phoenix Awards

Unseen by most, but impacting countless lives, are the unsung heroes of drug demand reduction (DDR). These dedicated professionals, social workers, and advocates work tirelessly to ensure our communities stay safe from substance use. They are the ones who pick up the pieces when nothing else works, helping individuals and families recover and thrive. Despite little recognition, they make a big difference. 

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3 Categories of Phoenix Awards

  • Phoenix Awards for Significant Contribution. This award is for individuals having contributed significantly to the DDR field. Eight awards will be presented to selected individuals.

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  • Phoenix RISE Awards. These awards recognize those who have successfully recovered, living fulfilling lives that inspire others. There are bronze, silver and gold sub-categories based on the number of years of sustained success.

    • RISE – Resilience, Independence, Strength, Endurance. Highlights your tenacity, and determination to recover, and rebound from adversity. Emphasizes rising above the odds as you nurture self-reliance, build inner strength, maintain control over your life and persevere through challenging times to fulfil your long-term commitment to recovery. 

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  • Phoenix SOAR Award. This is the prestigious award accorded to the one most outstanding organization in the DDR field.

    • The award recognizes organizations working towards a safer, healthier world without psychoactive substances. It encourages evidence-based drug demand reduction in line with international conventions and UN resolutions, inspiring others to follow suit.

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  • The award symbolizes the spirit of SOAR, which stands for Spirit Over and Above The Rest. SOAR expresses a positive attitude, a high level of performance, excel in their mission, inspire others with their achievements, and a willingness to go beyond expectations.

Who can participate

The nomination for the Phoenix Awards is open to anyone, both local and global, who wishes to nominate themselves, or their organization or others who meet the criteria.  The deadline for submission is 31 July 2023. The winners will be announced at the Phoenix Awards Gala Night on 20 September 2023 at the Imperial Hotel Kuching.

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Nomination criteria for Phoenix Award for Significant Contribution

  1. The nominee must have demonstrated excellence, innovation, leadership, or advocacy in the field of DDR or substance use disorder prevention, treatment, or recovery support.

  2. The nominee must have contributed to the advancement of knowledge, skills, or policies in the field of DDR or substance use disorder prevention, treatment, or recovery support.

  3. The nominee must have made a positive difference in the lives of people affected by substance use disorders or their communities.

  4. The nominee must have adhered to ethical standards and principles in their work or recovery journey.

Nomination criteria for Phoenix RISE Award

These awards recognize those who are in sustained recovery, living fulfilling lives that inspire others. To be nominated, the person must have:

  • Documented history of drug addiction and recovery, such as medical records, treatment certificates, or letters of support from health professionals or recovery mentors, and

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  • Achieved at least one year of continuous sobriety from all substances of abuse, verified by regular drug testing or other reliable methods.

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The Phoenix RISE Awards are in 3 categories based on the number of years in sobriety:

  1. Bronze for 1 - 09 years

  2. Silver for 10 - 29 years

  3. Gold for 30 years and above

Additionally, the person must fulfill one or more of the following criteria:

  • The nominee must have demonstrated significant improvement in their personal, professional, and social lives as a result of their recovery, such as pursuing education, employment, volunteering, family reunification, or community involvement.

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  • The nominee must have contributed to the advancement of drug abuse research, prevention, treatment, or recovery in some way, such as participating in research studies, sharing their recovery story, advocating for policy changes, or mentoring others in recovery.

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  • The nominee must have exhibited exemplary leadership, integrity, and resilience in overcoming the challenges and stigma associated with drug addiction and recovery.

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  • The nominee has become a positive role model for others in recovery, either through mentoring or sharing their story publicly.The nominee demonstrates commitment to helping others who are struggling with addiction and inspiring hope and motivation in others.

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Nomination criteria for Phoenix SOAR Award

The organization should have a clear mission and objectives for reducing drug demand and its adverse consequences, and have demonstrated commitment and sustained effort towards drug demand reduction evidenced by the following:

  • The organization should have implemented effective, appropriate and sustainable interventions, including community-based interventions, that target different levels of prevention, treatment or recovery support,

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  • The organization should have demonstrated positive outcomes and impact of their interventions on the individuals, families and communities they serve,

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  • The organization should have fostered cooperation and coordination with other key actors and stakeholders in the field of drug demand reduction, and

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  • The organization should have demonstrated strong leadership in the field of drug demand reduction. This could include the development of new ideas, the ability to inspire and motivate others, and a commitment to continuous improvement and learning.

How to submit nominations

For individuals, please submit the following nominee information:

  1. Name of individual

  2. Mykad or Passport Number

  3. Nationality

  4. Phone

  5. Email

  6. Name of organization

  7. Nomination statement: Explain in at least about 500 words why you are nominating this individual for the award.Include specific examples of how they meet the criteria described above.

  8. Name of person who is nominating and organization.

Nominator Information

Name:

Organization:

Position:

Email:

Phone:

  • Please submit your nomination form and the supporting documents to irs2023@oaptar.com by 31st July 2023.

  • If you have any questions or concerns, please WhatsApp us at +60102411288 or irs2023@oaptar.com.

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For organizations, please submit the following nominee information:

  1. Organization Name

  2. Organization’s Mission

  3. Website

  4. Nomination statement: Explain in at least about 500 words why you are nominating this organization for the Phoenix SOAR award.Include specific examples of how they meet the criteria described above.

  5. Supporting documents (e.g. photos, reports, evaluation forms, etc.) to show that the organization has achieved the nomination criteria above.

  6. Name of person who is nominating and organization.

Nominator Information

  • Name:

  • Organization:

  • Position:

  • Email:

  • Phone:

  • Please submit your nomination form and the supporting documents to irs2023@oaptar.com by 31st July 2023.

  • If you have any questions or concerns, please WhatsApp us at +60102411288 or irs2023@oaptar.com.

Phoenix Awards Gala IRS 2023 Kuching.jpg
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