2016 UNGASS

News12 February 2026

Ten years after UNGASS, a resurgent global drug war

Ten years after the 2016 UNGASS, punitive drug policies remain dominant globally, with human rights violations, rising deaths and shrinking civic space undermining promises of reform.

IDPC in the Media12 February 2026

Ten years after UNGASS, a resurgent global drug war

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Publications2 February 2026

The UNGASS decade in review: Gaps, achievements and paths for reform

IDPC assesses the state of play in global drug policy, reflecting on areas of progress while highlighting new and ongoing challenges, and concluding with recommendations for the future of international drug policy.

Press Releases2 February 2026

New report warns international drug policy is failing — as ‘war on drugs’ regains momentum

As the United Nations embarks on far-reaching institutional reform, a major new report from the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) delivers a stark warning: global drug control is failing.

Events

Beyond prohibition: Unpacking the connection between drug policies and sustainable development priorities

New York / Online

19 September 2023

This side event at the 2023 SDG summit underscores that without a major reframing of the 'world drug problem' and a focus on sustainable development priorities, there is a risk of falling short of achieving the 2030 Agenda.

Publications22 August 2023

Youth response to the 2023 World Drug Report

The Paradigma Youth Coalition present their response to the 2023 World Drug Report, emphasising the importance of involving young people in shaping progressive drug policies with evidence-based approaches, inclusivity and harm reduction at their core.

News5 April 2023

Cannabis and coca leaf top UN drugs commission agenda

There is an increasing gap between the rhetoric of consensus at the CND and the reality of growingly divergent national positions on drug policy.

Events

65th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)

Vienna / Online

13 March 2022 - 17 March 2022

The 65th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is expected to take place on 14-18 March 2022.

Publications19 August 2021

Turning the tide: Growth, visibility and impact of the civil society drug policy reform movement at the UN

IDPC offers a historical analysis of civil society advocacy for drug policy reform at the UN, assessing gains, challenges and insight on how the latter have been generally overcome.

Publications11 April 2021

Taking stock of half a decade of drug policy - An evaluation of UNGASS implementation

IDPC takes stock of progress made on the implementation of the recommendations included in the UNGASS Outcome Document, focusing on six critical areas: public health, development, human rights, civil society engagement, UN agency collaboration and cooperation, and drug policy evaluation.

Press Releases9 April 2021

As the UN celebrates the 60th anniversary of the global ‘war on drugs’, experts highlight its devastating impacts

Despite some progress, in most parts of the world, governments remain wedded to draconian policies that continue to have catastrophic impact on communities and have resoundingly failed in their stated purpose of eradicating illicit drug markets.

Publications7 April 2021

Edging forward: How the UN’s language on drugs has advanced since 1990 (Version 2)

IDPC and TNI provide an overview of the evolution of the UN-agreed language on key drug policy issues for the last three decades.

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