"Dear Bobby" UNODC letter on harm reduction

"On the general issue of "harm reduction", I share your concern. Under the guise of "harm reduction", there are people working disingenuously to alter the world's opposition to drugs. These people can misuse our well-intentioned statements for their own agenda, and this we cannot allow. Accordingly, and as we discussed in our meeting, we are reviewing all our statements, both printed and electronic, and will be even more vigilant in the future. I appreciate your acknowledgement of our efforts in this regard.

As for the two specific issues of harm reduction, let me be clear. First and foremost, UNODC maintains a strong opposition to heroin maintenance, as well as drug injection rooms. Such initiatives run counter to the three UN drug conventions as reflected in the pronouncements of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) and the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), form which we take our guidance."

To read the full letter, please open the PDF below.

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