UN discusses solution to world drug problem

Member states of the United Nations today (April19, 2016) began a special session at the UN headquarters in New York.to find solutions to the world drug problem.

The three-day 30th special session is discussing progress made at the last forum in Vienna, and finding ways to agree on a new Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem in accordance with its previous resolutions including that of December 17, last year.

It is particularly looking at "Demand reduction and related measures, including prevention and treatment, as well as health-related issues; and ensuring the availability of controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes, while preventing their diversion.

Discussions have also centered on supply reduction and related measures; responses to drug-related crime; and countering money-laundering and promoting judicial cooperation ,Cross-cutting issues: drugs and human rights, youth, women, children and communities Cross-cutting issues: new challenges, threats and realities in preventing and addressing the world drug problem in compliance with relevant international law, including the three drug control conventions; strengthening the principle of common and shared responsibility and international cooperation .

Attended by top government functionaries from all over the world. Ghana's delegation is headed by Foreign Affairs Minister Hannah Serwaa Tetteh.

Opening the session on behalf of the UN Secretary General before a general debate and interactive multi-stakeholder round tables were conducted, Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson said "Poverty and inequality drive illicit drug production and use " and therefore the best prevention policy is working decisively and universally towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals which was so skillfully negotiated and endorsed last year.

The world drug problem affects virtually every nation and all sectors of society, he noted pointing out that 'Drug trafficking and organized criminal networks fuel violence and feed corruption. They weaken institutions and the rule of law'.

"As the Security Council has recognized, profits from drug-trafficking are funding terrorism and violent extremism in today's world. Drug policies have serious human rights implications. Some people dare not seek the care they need, fearing punishment or forced treatment.

"Drug abuse causes tragic and terrible human costs to users and, not least, to their families and to their communities. It kills and injures millions of people. It is linked to the spread of HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis', the Deputy Secretary General stated.

Countering drug-related crime and corruption is imperative for us to achieve stable societies and effective institutions, which constitute a foundation for sustainable development.

In his view, drugs simply threaten not only development and lives in dignity but also stability and security.

The challenges posed by the world drug problem, he explained, required a global response that is simultaneously effective, compassionate and humane, saying that "We need a mobilization of efforts and good forces on this basis and in this spirit".

Looking forward to 2019, Mr. Eliasson charged member states to focus on new challenges and threats, including the emergence of new psychoactive substances., stressing that " UN Member States, UNODC, WHO and the whole UN system must respond in a timely, effective and flexible fashion to these and other looming dangers".

In this vein, he urged them to base their decisions on research, data and scientific evidence. and not to shy away from new ideas and approaches – even if these sometimes may challenge traditional assumptions.

The health and welfare of people around the world should be our overarching objective -- in the spirit of "We the Peoples" – the first three words of the UN Charter. It is the people we are to serve, the Deputy Secretary General said.

Addressing the world drug problem requires the active and continued involvement of all governments, all sectors of society and, I would strongly claim, all parts of the United Nations system. Now is the time for implementation of what has been agreed after serious and productive negotiations. It is encouraging that Member States are committed to treatment and rehabilitation of people with drug use disorders, Mr. Eliasson stated.