Drug use prevention, treatment and care

English | Français

Drug use prevention, treatment and care initiatives

UNODC supports Member States in addressing drug use and drug addiction as any other health disorder: i.e. by implementing drug use prevention interventions and providing drug dependence treatment and care services, which are based on scientific evidence and on ethical standards. Click on the links below to know more about UNODC activities and resources in:

 

Drug use prevention

Drug dependence treatment and care

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

News and Events

 

Draft questionnaire on access to pain medication

 

March 2012 - In 2011, UNODC distributed a Conference Room Paper to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs on "Ensuring availability of controlled medications for the relief of pain and preventing diversion and abuse". Building on the paper, UNODC has drafted a questionnaire with a view to enhance reporting on the impediments to ensuring the availability of pain medications whilst preventing diversion and abuse. UNODC welcomes comments on the draft questionnaire. Read more.

 

International Standards on Drug Use Prevention

January 2012 - UNODC is developing International Standards on Drug Use Prevention. The goal is to increase UNODC's own capacity to Member States on how to develop a comprehensive and effective drug prevention system. This includes guidance on which kinds of policies and interventions to choose to effectively prevent drug use and promote healthy and safe lifestyles, particularly among youth. Read more.

 

Youth Initiative

December 2011 - The Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section has just launched the Youth Initiative to empower youth to take action on drug related issues! Check out our new page.

 

 

Ensuring availability of controlled medications for the relief of pain and preventing diversion and abuse

October 2011 - At the 53rd session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) held in March 2010, the Commission adopted Resolution 53/4 "Promoting adequate availability of internationally controlled licit drugs for medical and scientific purposes while preventing their diversion and abuse". This Discussion Paper was prepared as a conference room paper for the 54th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs at which the adequate availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes in accordance with the international drug control treaties was on the agenda. Read more.

 

The non-medical use of presciption drugs, policy direction issues

September 2011 - The non-medical use of prescription drugs controlled under the Conventions is an increasing problem in many countries. In some countries, this is second only to cannabis. This is most notably in North America, but there are also reports of significant treatment demand in Europe, Africa, South Asia and Latin America. Addressing the non-medical use of prescription drugs needs to carefully take into consideration the need to ensure the availability of these substances (that do have a recognised and much needed medical use), while preventing diversion and misuse. UNODC is developing a discussion paper to assist Member States in addressing the issue of the non-medical use of prescription drugs, focusing on recommendations for policy and practice. To this purpose, UNODC, together with WHO, convened a technical consultation in Vienna from 22 to 24 June 2010, inviting a wide range of researchers, policy makers and practitioners. Read more.

August 2010 - UNODC has recently published a useful new  Compilation of Evidence-Based Family Skills Training Programmes . It provides policymakers, programme managers, non-governmental organizations and others interested in implementing family skills training programmes with a review of existing evidence-based family skills training programmes. UNODC received descriptions of some 150 programmes; the programmes included in this publication are those regarded, on the basis of randomized control trials, as having had positive results. The programmes appear in descending order according to the level of scientific evidence on which they are based. Read more.

 

Treating drug dependence through healthcare, not punishment

May 2010 - Treatment offered as an alternative to criminal justice sanctions has to be evidence-based and in line with ethical standards. UNODC convened a technical consultation of experts from 28 to 30 October 2009 in Vienna where 20 reserchers, policy makers and practitioner from 13 countries worldwide participated. On the basis of the discussions, UNODC produced this discussion paper which outlines a model of referral from the criminal justice system to the treatment system that is mor e effective than compulsory treatment.  This model of referral results in less restriction of liberty, is less stigmatising and offers better prospects for the future of the individual and the society. From coercion to cohesion: Treating drug dependence through healthcare, not punishment. Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish.

UNODC-WHO Joint Programme on drug dependence treatment and care:

April 2010 - UNODC and WHO both have constitutional mandates to address issues presented by drug use and dependence.  Moreover, taking into account the health, socio-economic and security implementations of drug use and related disorders, the two agencies are uniquely positioned to lead this initiative.  In particular, it will open a dialogue with Member States and involve a varied group of government ministries such as those for health, welfare, as well as the criminal justice system and other relevant sectors.Our Brochure contains information on the programme and on the issues. Available in:  Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish.

Back to top