Identifying Common Ground for UNGASS 2016: Rethinking Metrics to Evaluate Drug Policy

As the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on the World Drug Problem in April 2016 approaches, questions have arisen about what metrics might best evaluate drug policy. United Nations University will host a discussion organised by the International Centre for Science in Drug Policy (ICSDP) to launch its Open Letter from the Scientific Community on metrics and drug policy. The ICSDP is a network of scientists and academics from around the world committed to improving the health and safety of communities and individuals affected by illicit drugs, by working to inform illicit drug policies with the best available scientific evidence.

The panellists of this event will contribute to the ongoing discussion of drug policy metrics by considering the following:

• examples of existing feasible and sustainable targets and indicators used by scientists and academics to capture the impacts of drugs and drug policy on community health, safety, development, and human rights
• areas where drug policy targets and indicators might be adjusted to be more relevant to current challenges
• the potential impacts of broadening the targets and indicators used to measure the impacts of drugs and drug policy to facilitate a more coherent and effective UN system-wide approach to the world drug problem

Panellists

Dr Dan Werb, Director, International Centre for Science in Drug Policy

Dr Kanna Hayashi, Research Scientist, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

Ms Genevieve Sander, Human Rights Research Analyst, Harm Reduction International

Dr James Cockayne, Head of Office at the UN, UN University (Moderator)

A moderated Q&A session will follow the panel discussion.

As seating is limited, we encourage you to RSVP by 13 January. You can register here.

If you will require an entrance pass, please be sure to register at least one week prior to the event.

Click here to view the event.

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