Director General/Executive Director
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
My thanks for coming here for this very important special event on the sidelines of the 59th session of the CND.
For several years now, UNODC has, jointly with the World Health Organization, the United States and civil society partners, held an event at the CND highlighting the need for evidenc e-based drug dependence treatment and care.
This year I am happy to also welcome Sweden, who is a longstanding partner in supporting prevention and treatment of drug use disorders.
Furthermore, I am pleased to announce that as part of this Special Event and in the framework of the UNODC-WHO Programme on Drug Dependence Treatment and Care, we are presenting the draft of the International Standards on the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders.
The International Standards, which will be tested in the field before being finalized, represent a major milestone in efforts to improve the quality of drug dependence treatment and care.
They have been developed with the support of a broad range of international experts.
UNODC and WHO have been working with Member States for many years to translate science into practice, and support communities in developing recovery-oriented systems of care for people affected by drug use disorders.
In recent decades, important scientific advances have been made in the understanding of drug dependence as a complex, multifactorial and chronic health condition.
Effective, comprehensive and multidisciplinary interventions are available to respond to the specific needs of affected individuals.
Drug use disorders are a preventable and treatable diseases, and care must be provided, as with any other disease.
Unfortunately far too often, people affected by drug use disorders do not have sufficient access to health services generally, or they may be made to feel like second class patients.
Those in need of help may find it difficult to access essential social services, including critical support for reintegration and rehabilitation, such as income generation and vocational training.
This event is thus a timely opportunity to discuss efforts undertaken by Member States, UNODC, WHO and other international partners to mainstream effective treatment services, and ensure their quality.
Our focus and priority must be the human dimension - the men, women and children affected by drug use and dependence, and all of the consequences for health and society that illicit drugs can have.
This has been reinforced by the 2030 Agenda, which has recognized drug use prevention and drug dependence treatment as key targets under the sustainable development goals.
We are all looking forward to learning from the experiences being shared today.
Thank you