SI UN Vienna Representatives, Roswitha Benesch and Martina Gredler, report back from the 55th Commission on Narcatic Drugs 12-16th March, 2012.
In his opening speech at the 55th UN Commission
on Narcotic Drugs, Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UN Office on Drugs and
Crime (UNODC), called for a real balance within drug policies, making health,
integration and rehabilitation the aim of all strategies. Unity and harmony
among the member states should be prioritise if we are to tackle the drug
problem.
Mr.Fedotov accepted the invitation of the Vienna NGO
Committee on Narcotic Drugs for an informal dialogue. He particularly commended
the NGOs for what they are doing in the field of drug prevention. He stressed
again the importance of the Drug Control Conventions (which are always
challenged). The solution to the drug problem is treatment not punishment.
In a meeting of the Vienna NGO Committee with the Chair of
the Commission on Narcotic Drugs it was stressed the NGOs could be much more
present if the Commission would be more receptive: The voice of the Civil Society
should be included in all discussions.
RESOLUTIONS
Mr.Fedotov confirmed
that the resolutions are the strength of the Commission. In drug control, human
rights must be considered and the rule of law respected. 12 Resolutions were
tabled and finally adopted. Among them, the following are particularly
important for Soroptimist International:
Resolution
E/CN.7/2012/L.8/Rv.1:
“Promoting strategies
and measures addressing specific needs of women in the context of comprehensive
and integrated drug demand reduction programmes and strategies”.
To quote part of the text:
[The Commission] is concerned that
women with substance abuse problems are often deprived of, or limited in, their
access to effective treatment that takes into account their specific needs and
circumstances.
[The Commission} Urges Member States to consider
incorporating female oriented programmes in their drug policies and strategies
[The Commission] Recommends that Member States
consider and accommodate the specific needs of drug-dependent parents,
including childcare and parental education.
[The Commission] Invites Member States and other donors to consider providing extra
budgetary resources for these purposes in accordance with the rules and
procedures of the United Nations.
Resolution
E/CN.7/2012/L.3/Rev.1:
Promotes “programmes aimed at the treatment,
rehabilitation and reintegration of drug-dependent persons released from prison
settings”.
Resolution
E/CN.7/2012/L.15:
Demands “alternatives
to imprisonment as effective demand reduction strategies that promote public
health and public safety”
At the closing of the session, Mr Fedotov stated: "Let
me be clear: there can be no reduction in drug supply without a reduction in
drug demand".
SIDE EVENTS
Side events always fill the time between the morning and the
afternoon session of the Commission. Their informative value increases every
time!
Session1: Improving the participatory role of
civil society in addressing the world drug problem
Thirty-one responding countries reported that
civil society plays an important role in addressing the world drug problem. It
was reported that through their efforts to raise awareness on the harmful
effects of drugs and drug abuse, and through the provision of treatment and
rehabilitation services for addicts, civil society played a crucial role in
combating drug abuse.
Session 2: Emerging topics in the field of
drug use disorder management as well as responses based on scientific
evidencing.
It was explained
that people take drugs because they like what drugs do to their brain. Long term
exposure to drugs changes the brain in fundamental ways that are difficult to
reverse.
Addiction is like a
developmental brain disease – it is a disconnection between the feeling and the
thinking parts of the brain. Addiction can be rationally approached with
medication and behavioural treatments. After 8 years, 85% of addicts in
treatment are alive; more than 50% of those untreated are dead. The mortality
rate for untreated addicts is 9 times higher than those who seek treatment.
Session 3: Project Dawn: Specific interventions
targeted to better meet the specific needs of drug addicted women
This session was an
overview on the approaches adopted to meet the needs of addicted women. Their
personal history can be paved with violence, sexual abuse, and trauma. This
requires special treatment, including home based treatment, and the treatment
of pregnant women. A higher percentage of HIV, Hepatitis C, and other
infections are observed within the drug addicted women. They have more problems
in accessing treatments. UN observes that the problems facing drug addicted
women are hugely underestimated.
Session 4: The Launch of the International
Narcotics Control Board – World Health Organisation Guide on estimating requirements
for internationally controlled substances.
The guide is an
essential step in ensuring the adequate supply for medical and scientific purposes.
It is based on effective methods and systematic procedures about the use of,
and the need for, controlled substances.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
The issue of gender within
the debate was far more visible this year with greater awareness regarding the
specific challenges of female addicts. This was a welcome development. However,
the lack of data to design specific treatments for women is hindering effective development of programmes.
International policies require new approaches to respond to emerging challenges and new understandings. Extraordinary
budgets are required if the ‘war on drugs’ is to be won.