INCB visits safe injection facility during its mission in Switzerland

On 20-22 November 2017, the INCB sent a delegation to Switzerland to discuss its drug policy and the country's implementation of the UN drug conventions.

Switzerland's drug policy has been praised for its balanced approach towards drug control, as reflected in its four-pillar policy focusing on prevention, treatment, harm reduction and law enforcement. The country is also known for its innovative approaches towards drugs, including the early opening of safe injection facilities, heroin-assisted treatment programmes and - in some cantons - discussions on pilot programmes for the legal regulation of cannabis. We therefore welcome the INCB's visit of drug injection facilities and its engagement with the NGO Contact Foundation.

The INCB's position on safe injection facilities has evolved positively over the years, with a significant shift in favour of this harm reduction approach in its Annual Report for 2016. We hope that future INCB missions will continue to visit life-saving harm reduction facilities and reflect the positive impacts of these interventions on the health and social welfare of people who use drugs in its future Annual Reports.

Below is a short article published on the INCB website about the mission.

By the INCB

An INCB mission visited Switzerland from 20 to 22 November 2017. The mission was conducted by Dr. Galina Korchagina, Member of the Board, accompanied by Ms. Ha Fung NG (Cilla) of the INCB secretariat. The objective of the mission was to discuss the implementation by Switzerland of the three international drug control conventions and to review drug control developments in the country regarding the implementation of the international drug control conventions since the Board's last mission in 2000.

The mission, which was coordinated by the Federal Office of Public Health, held consultations with the directors and senior officials of the Federal Office of Public Health, Swissmedic, Foreign Affairs, Federal Police and Cantonal Police Berne. Meetings with members of Federal Commission on Addiction and NGO representatives were also held. The mission also visited a company manufacturing internationally controlled substance and the drug injection facilities provided by the NGO "Contact Foundation" in the Canton of Berne.

Discussions focused on latest developments in drug control situation in Switzerland, trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and control precursor chemicals, and measures taken to address them, as well as challenges regarding access and availability of substances under international control for medical purposes.

The findings of the mission will be considered by the Board at its session in February 2018, transmitted to the Government, and reflected in the INCB Annual Report for 2018, expected to be released in March 2019.