Director General/Executive Director
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Increasing understanding and awareness of drug dependence as a complex, multifactorial and chronic health condition, one that is preventable and treatable, and that requires care, just like any other disease, has long been a major priority of UNODC's support to Member States.
Unfortunately, people affected by drug use disorders, too often and in too many places, continue to lack sufficient access to essential health and social services, including support for reintegration and rehabilitation.
The International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders can support Member States to address these challenges, to translate science into action, and advance recovery-oriented care for people with substance and drug use disorders globally.
UNODC developed the International Standards with our partners at WHO.
They are the result of many years of work with Member States, and have been developed with the support of a broad range of international experts.
They represent a valuable addition to the guidelines and standards we have developed with our partners, including:
The International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders can help to underpin efforts to implement the operational recommendations in the UNGASS outcome document, which highlights the importance of effective, comprehensive and multidisciplinary interventions to treat drug use disorders as part of balanced approaches to drug control.
They can also support global action to realize the 2030 Agenda, and fulfil Member States' commitment to strengthen drug use prevention and treatment as a key target under Sustainable Development Goal Three on Health for All.
I hope the International Standards will encourage Member States to expand coverage and improve the quality of science-based drug treatment systems, interventions and policies, in accordance with national legislation and the international drug control conventions.
UNODC, as always, stands ready to increase its technical and capacity-building assistance to support these efforts.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders represent a major milestone in efforts to mainstream effective treatment services based on evidence and human rights.
I encourage you to make best use of them.
This event provides an important opportunity to discuss progress that has been made with improving quality of treatment, in different socio-economic contexts, and to further develop support for implementing the Standards.
I wish you fruitful discussions.
Thank you.