Vienna (Austria), 23 March 2023 – Collaboration among different stakeholders, including civil society, is crucial to ensure effective implementation of international drug policy commitments. Civil society plays a pivotal role in promoting policies that represent the interests of the broader community and in implementing international agreements to tackle the world drug situation. The 66th Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) saw a record-breaking number of over 580 NGO representatives, attending both in-person and online.
“It’s always a highlight of my engagement to meet and listen to civil society. You bring key issues to the international community and help ensure that drug policy is balanced, inclusive and grounded in reality”, UNODC Executive Director, Ms. Ghada Waly stressed during the informal dialogue with NGOs.
During this session of the Commission, the UNODC Civil Society Unit (CSU) co-organized several significant side events, including informal dialogues with the Chair of the 66thCND, the INCB President, and representatives from OHCHR, UNAIDS, UNDP, and WHO in partnership with the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC).
Celebrating lasting partnership for effective drug policy
Strong partnerships between governments, civil society organizations, and international organizations are vital to implementing joint drug policy commitments. The 40th anniversary celebration of the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC) in the margins of the 66th CND highlighted the progress made in engaging civil society, demonstrated positive contributions to international drug policy, and discussed future opportunities for meaningful participation. Mirella Dummar Frahi, Chief of the UNODC Civil Society Unit (CSU), highlighted the strong partnership between VNGOC and CSU over the years that significantly contributed to improving the collaboration with NGOs on drug related issues, making it a model for UN-NGO partnerships. Looking forward, civil society welcomes the plans for the 2024 mid-term review of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, that for the first time ever mentions the VNGOC.
Safeguarding children and youth from drug abuse
The challenges of drug and substance abuse among children and youth were tackled during two side events on ‘Children Matter: Policy to Action’ and ‘How to effectively engage Youth Civil Society Organizations in addressing issues of drugs and crime globally.’ These events were organized Slum Child Foundation and Uganda Youth Development Link respectively, with the support of the UNODC CSU and other co-organizers. Substance abuse among children and youth is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. Civil society organizations (CSOs) are critical in addressing this issue through various interventions.The speakers emphasized the need to instil confidence in the youths and build resilience to prevent substance use disorders. Youth CSOs play an important role in significantly preventing drug and substance abuse among children and youth by raising awareness, advocating for policies, offering support, creating community-based interventions, and collaborating with other organizations. Both side events highlighted the need for more cooperation with Member States, International Organizations and among CSOs.
Saving lives is everyone’s matter
The UNODC World Drug Report 2022 highlights a rise in deaths caused by drug use, including through indirect and direct causes such as overdose, HIV, hepatitis, and other related harms. The lack of standard operating procedures in drug use disorder treatment and the COVID-19 pandemic have adversely affected prevention and treatment programs. International instruments, such as UNGASS 2016, the 2019 Ministerial Declaration, and CND resolutions, stress the importance of evidence-based policies to address the world drug problem, offer health services, fight transnational organized crime, guarantee justice, and save lives. Speaking at a side event titled 'Saving Lives – Putting Joint Commitments into Action,' Jean-Luc Lemahieu, UNODC Director of the Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs, stressed the need for joint commitments and drug policies that are life-saving oriented and human rights-based. Svetlana Shuster shared her own personal experience, facing the death of her son Mischa who tragically died of overdose in February 2022. “The first step is to recognize the problem. It seems to me that the safety net provided to our most at risk citizens is just a paper tag”, noted Svetlana in her intervention that moved the room emotions, and reminded everyone why people’s lives must be put first in all drug policies. National good practices of effective strategies to counter drug issues, including through cooperations with civil society were shared by Grant Baldwin, Center for Disease Control, USA Government; Yvonne Olando, National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse, Kenyan Government; and Lena Reuvers, Office of Addiction and Drug Policy Vienna, Austrian Government. Civil society perspectives on drug use and overdose prevention were presented by Benjamin Ajwan, NGO Students Campaign Against Drugs, Kenya; and Rebecca McDonald, Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research at University of Oslo, highlighting the need to put people at the centre of drug policy.The event showcased how by working together, drug policy can prevent deaths and save lives.
The challenges of the world drug problem require more than just discussion and collaboration. A comprehensive response needs a reinvigorated, broad global commitment that guide concerted action at national and international levels. Such consensus needs to be periodically renewed as the drug landscape continues to evolve, and new challenges emerge. Member States, the CND, UNODC, and CSOs will review and strengthen these commitments next year at the high-level midterm review.