SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages



Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol

 

Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases

 

Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all

 

Target 3.b: Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health   

  

UNODC's work on drugs and health is inextricably linked to multiple Targets of SDG 3.

The Office's mandate, for example, is fully in line with Target 3.5 on a number of fronts. UNODC supports a balanced public health- oriented approach to the drug problem by working to end discrimination against people who use drugs; and by strengthening the access to comprehensive, evidence- based, and gender responsive services for prevention of drug use and treatment of substance use disorders, including as an alternative to conviction or punishment. 

UNODC's field activities under SDG 3 assist in the provision of quality services to governmental and non-governmental entities on prevention of communicable diseases; gender equity; and developing and implementing tailor-made programmes to reduce the increasing trend of drug use, HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitis C. In particular, UNODC is mandated to provide HIV prevention, treatment and care among people who use drugs or are in prisons, thus contributing towards ending AIDS by 2030, a component of the Target 3.3.

UNODC also promotes standards and guidelines and seeks to establish effective partnerships at country level and internationally, including with WHO, UNAIDS and other civil society organizations. 

Further, the Office's research work supports countries to strengthen forensic sector capacities by implementing drug monitoring systems for collection of reliable data including on identification and/or detection of substances and new psychoactive substances of abuse.