Adding a dedicated public health approach to the international drug control regime

As the UN General Assembly Special Session 2016 on the World Drug Problem approaches, the usual consensus on policies to combat illicit drugs is breaching. Away from antagonist positions and debates on legalization versus more prohibition, we have decided to think collectively of a reform that effectively protects people’s health and human rights, while being acceptable to the largest number of stakeholders. This letter addresses only the illicit substances treated under the international drug control framework, based on the three UN drug conventions, and not legal substances such as tobacco or alcohol.

In its preamble, the Single Convention on narcotic drugs, dated 1961, lays out its reasoning for the establishment of a universal drug control system: the concern with the health and welfare of mankind; the recognition that the medical use of narcotic drugs continues to be indispensable for the relief of pain and suffering; that adequate provision must be made to ensure the availability of narcotic drugs for such purposes; and the recognition that addiction to narcotic drugs constitutes a serious danger for the individual and is fraught with social and economic dangers to mankind.

Through the political declaration dated 2009, the work of the international community is based on three approaches: demand reduction, supply reduction, and enhancing international cooperation. Several issues have made member states at the Commission on Narcotic Drugs increasingly concerned about public health and safety: drug affected driving, ensuring access to essential medicines for pain relief, and international commitments to reducing HIV transmission in people who inject drugs.

Some parts of the Plan of Action (to counter the world drug problem) might be streamlined. We have designed (see below) a possible outline to be negotiated in 2019, based on the one adopted in 2009. We have added a public health approach to the international strategy on drugs as the new Part III (in italic).

Keep up-to-date with drug policy developments by subscribing to the IDPC Monthly Alert.