New York - On September 20, 2024, as part of the UN Summit of the Future Action Days, the UNODC Civil Society Unit together with the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs hosted a pivotal side event titled "ImPACT Coalition: The Future of Drug Policy – Health and Well-Being for All." Held in hybrid format in New York City and online, the event featured a diverse group of panellists and participants from civil society organizations, private sector, governments, international organizations, and academia. The discussions underscored the urgent need for multi-stakeholder global collaboration to address drug related issues, focusing on human rights, health, and sustainable development.
Billy Batware of the UNODC Civil Society Unit emphasized the necessity of partnerships between various stakeholders hence the title of the event “creating a united front to address the multifaceted challenges of drug policies”. Matej Košir, Chair of the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs, highlighted the origins of the ImPACT Coalition, which was established during the UN Civil Society Conference in Nairobi in May 2024. This coalition aims to bridge diverse voices in drug policy, especially in the lead-up to the second World Social Summit in 2025.
Speakers, including Matteo Pasquali from the UNODC Liaison Office in New York Summer Walker from the New York NGO Committee on Drugs and, also stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration.
The panel discussion showcased a broad range of perspectives, highlighting that a spectrum of interventions is needed to tackle the world drug problem. For example, Marwa Yehia from Mentor Arabia discussed the organization’s focus on youth substance abuse prevention in the Arab region, highlighting challenges like stigma, cultural taboos, and limited data availability. Vesna Marinko and Dr. Jože Hren from Slovenia’s Ministry of Health shared their successful early prevention programs, which have reduced drug use, particularly among youth, through evidence-based approaches. Furthermore, Judy Chang of the International Network of People Who Use Drugs emphasized the need for multi-sectoral partnerships to address the health and human rights of drug users. Ian Tennant from the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, representing the Eastern and Southern Africa Commission on Drugs, pointed to the necessity of regional collaboration to implement human rights-based policies that address the systemic challenges of drug use and trafficking. Moreover, Amy Ronshausen from the Drug Free America Foundation introduced the Oviedo Declaration, which calls for amplifying prevention efforts globally through cross-sector partnerships, emphasizing early prevention as a key to long-term sustainability. Dr. Jana Arsovska of John Jay College highlighted the dark net’s role in synthetic drug trafficking and advocated for multi-stakeholder interventions to curb this growing threat.
Following the panel discussion participants engaged in a moderated and interactive discussion around three guiding questions aimed at exploring actionable strategies for advancing drug policy reform:
Several participants emphasized the need for evidence-based policies and sustainable funding to ensure that health and human rights are prioritized in drug policy. One participant proposed creating community-led monitoring systems to hold stakeholders accountable for implementing the recommendations from Nairobi. Participants called for real-time data collection and accountability mechanisms that track progress on drug prevention initiatives. Others highlighted the need to invest in local research and data collection in regions like Africa, where current evidence is often lacking. By investing in community-driven research, stakeholders can develop more effective policies tailored to local needs.
A recurring theme was the importance of engaging young people and individuals with lived experience in the policymaking process. Some called for intergenerational consultations and community-led activities to empower individuals, particularly youth, to find alternatives to drug use. Participants agreed that affected populations, including people who use drugs and those in recovery, must be involved in the decision-making process as their experiences are critical in shaping effective and compassionate drug policies. Additionally, participants emphasized the need for gender responsive drug policies and pointed out that it’s essential to involve affected women, who are often overlooked, in policymaking.
Partnerships emerged as a crucial element in driving forward drug policy reform. Nazlee Maghsoudi from the New York NGO Committee on Drugs pointed out that while only SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) explicitly mentions drugs, the issue intersects with many other SDGs, such as poverty reduction, gender equality, and peace and justice. Echoing her message, participants advocated for cross-sectoral collaborations that bring together organizations focused on these related areas to craft more holistic policies. Jiavern Tham from HAYAT discussed how stronger partnerships between CSOs, academia, and governments could enhance mutual legal assistance and dismantle transnational drug trafficking networks without relying on punitive measures.
The event concluded with remarks from Carolina Ahumada of the American Coalition on Drug Policy and Isaac Olushola Ogunkola from the African Civil Society Forum on Drugs. They called for ongoing collaboration across sectors, highlighting the importance of resilient, inclusive societies that prioritize prevention, harm reduction and treatment. Both speakers emphasized the need for sustained efforts in ensuring that drug policies remain grounded in evidence, human rights, and health-focused approaches.
By engaging civil society, governments, and international organizations in meaningful dialogue, the ImPACT Coalition supports the implementation of joint international drug policy commitments and works towards enhancing inclusive drug policies that leave no one behind.
