Last month, SI’s UN Rep in Vienna, Roswitha Benesch, attended the 54th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs.

The implementation of the political declaration and plan of action on the international cooperation toward an integrated and balanced strategy to counter the global problem in the illegal drug  trade was the main point of discussion – not exactly a small agenda item!

You may be wondering why this particular Commission is of relevance to the mission and vision of Soroptimist International. The global, illegal trade in narcotics and the interlinked problem of drug abuse is closely related to human trafficking – in many countries, the global trade in narcotics fuels the trade in trafficking which we know has a particular impact on women. Furthermore, drug abuse causes physical and mental health problems, and can get  drug users into very complex economic difficulties. These factors particularly increase the risk of women becoming involved in trafficking.

In the opening speech, the Executive Director of  the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reminded the plenary of the 50^th anniversary of one of the keystones of the international drug control system: the 1961 Single convention on Narcotic Drugs.  He urged the international community to rejuvenate the Convention. He also referred to the ‘Political Declaration’ in which governments reaffirmed their commitment to a multilateral effort to reduce the supply and demand for illicit drugs. “Demand reduction now receives more attention”, he said, “drug dependence is a disease not a crime”. This understanding must shape how the international community, including Civil Society, respond to the challenge both locally, nationally and internationally.

Drug Trafficking is sadly on the increase and it is becoming more and more lucrative. Drug lords earn an estimated $320 billion dollars each year. Mr. Fedotov, the Executive Director of UNODC, argued that a global strategy on drug control must recognise that “drugs, together with organised crime, jeopardise the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals… We need to build new partnerships in confronting the global drug problem. Governments and civil society must work together. States have to join forces in promoting regional cooperation”.

In closing he reaffirmed the intention to focus on the human dimension of the UNODC mandate: the victims of drug abuse, human trafficking, crime and corruption. SI, as a long term supporter of the rights centred approach, strongly supports this stance.

The Commission adopted 15 resolutions. In the quoted resolutions, the role of civil society and of NGOs is appreciated. Organisations like Soroptimist International are recognised to be making a significant different at grassroots level.

Resolution 6 is of particular interest to NGOs since it recognises their contributions and asks for their experience in fighting the world drug problem by “improving the participatory role of civil society in addressing the world drug problem”.

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs also “Recognise[s] that the responsibility for addressing the world drug problem rests with Member States, while civil society has an important participatory role in addressing the multidimensional aspects of this problem.” The Commission “encourages Governments to ensure that civil society plays a participatory role …through consultation, in the development and implementation of drug control programmes and policies, in particular with regard to aspects of demand reduction”

Resolution 7 again calls for involvement of NGOs and for the development of comprehensive drug demand reduction policies which  “Promot[e] rehabilitation- and reintegration-oriented strategies in response to drug use disorders and their consequences that are directed at promoting health and social wellbeing among individuals, families and communities”

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs “Recognise[s]that drug dependence is a chronic but preventable and treatable multifactor health disorder” and also “Express[es] appreciation for the global collaborative efforts which include non-governmental organisations committed to increasing the coverage of essential services for drug demand reduction”

The side events to the Commission continue to take on more and more importance. Side Events take place during lunch hour, between 1 and
3 p.m and give Permanent Missions of Governments, NGOs and UNODC sections the chance to handle specific problems and points of interest.  The

Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs, of which SI is a member, was invited to an informal dialogue with the Executive Director of UNODC, an informal dialogue with the chairwoman of the Plenary, and an informal dialogue with the International Narcotics Control Board President.

The dialogue with Professor Ghodse (INCB) very constructive. Prof Ghodse stressed that he is a friend of NGOs – “the beauty of it is that NGOs never get bored, they always ask questions.”

Thank you to Roswitha for reporting back. Click here to read a summary report, or visit the members section where the full reports will shortly be made available.

Let’s keep on asking questions, sharing new insights with those in positions of influence. Above all, make sure that debate stays fresh and informed where ever you are.