This version has only minor changes from the previous version, distributed in April, and will be the final version of the advocacy guide. From now on, a series of IDPC updates on the UN Drug Policy Review will be produced, the first being scheduled for the end of July. The IDPC Advocacy Guide provides an update on the emerging process for the review of global policies on controlled drugs being conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.
From 9 to 11 June 2008, political leaders and senior officials will be meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to once again review challenges, and discuss what actions are necessary to achieve the objective of universal access to effective prevention, treatment and care by the year 2010.
This high-level commission (co-chaired by 3 former presidents, and involving 18 members drawn from public life across Latin America), has been established to examine the development of drug problems in Latin America, and look for alternative policy approaches that are more effective in combating the crime, and social and health problems, that are associated with the drug market.
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is pleased to have this opportunity to address the Commission on Narcotic Drugs to seek your support in breaking the dangerous link between injecting drug use and the HIV epidemic. As measures to control drugs and measures to control HIV are critically intertwined, the steps governments take in drug control are likely to have significant impact on progress against HIV.
The present report outlines the actions that the International Narcotics Control Board has undertaken pursuant to the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly at its twentieth special session, in 1998. The report also identifies the significant challenges that remain in the area of drug control.
Antonio Maria Costa (Executive Director of UNODC) produced a significant discussion paper for the 2008 51st CND, in which he explores some of the unintended consequences of the international drug control system, and makes suggestions for the future.
Unlike in previous years, NGOs were successful in being granted access to the plenary session to deliver statements to the assembled government representatives.
This article describes approaches to improve the situation regarding particular target groups, such as drug users, sex workers, (undocumented) migrants and youth at risk.