Youth Forum – Students from Montenegro & Qatar: Students from over 30 countries have come together to express concerns over drug issues, and to try to propose a way forward in what seems like a an impossible goal. Collective ideas from fresh eyes can bring progress. A broad approach is the best way to deal with an issue affecting so many individuals. A lack of education, prospects or wanting to fit in all contribute to the drug problem. Role models and the media have large roles in influencing drug use and there must be stricter regulations in publishing media. We call for more accurate education around the world to develop personal and social skills to ensure that every child has access to education. Together we can build a better future for our children.
Cameroon Health Minister: I hope we are now better equipped to measure drug trafficking and gain a better understanding of new trends in the world drug problem and strengthen international cooperation to better combat this global blight. There are many substances out there and their effects differ from region to region. Cannabis is still the most produced and abused drug on a grand scale with the involvement of criminal networks. Africa confiscates tons of cannabis and destroys hectares of plantations. We used to be a transit county, but owing to our geography we are now a consumption and production country. Our police have reported many offences of abuse of these substances by land, air and sea. Tramadol is widely abused in our communities, mainly young people in schools and in vulnerable situations. 20% of our population have tried drugs and 10% are abusers. Alcohol is often used with tobacco, cannabis, and other psychotropic drugs. Drug use is becoming the main risk factor when it comes to disease transmission. We are currently putting together a national strategy to combat cannabis consumption. We have set up addiction units in hospital around the country. 20 mental health nurses have been assigned over the course of 2016 for training courses. The situation is improving. The extent of the situation in our country is regularly sent to INCB in the questionnaires. We are trialling awareness campaigns and strengthening the capacity of police and customs forces. We are setting up surveillance to help improve implantation of anti-drug programmes and projects, as well as measuring our progress. We wish to take part on programs such as studies, capacity building and healthcare training for professionals. We support the recommendations from UNGASS and are acting on them.
(b) Supply reduction and related measures;
(c) Countering money-laundering and promoting judicial cooperation to enhance international cooperation.
Implementation Support Section, Organized Crime Branch, UNODC: Supply reduction is a cross-cutting issue that links to many of UNODC’s mandates. Complements strategies to address demand reduction, terrorism, community security through alternative development, etc. Organized crime groups are integral to crime trade. They evolve with new technologies, but drug trafficking remains their source for funds, power, and influence. Cooperation is the cornerstone of supply reduction. Trafficking by sea accounts for largest trafficking worldwide. Maritime borders are therefore important. 33 states joined an initiative that targets trafficking by sea. Global initiative fosters cooperation in sharing of intelligence and technical information. Intercepted more that 97 tonnes of illegal drugs and chemicals. Running total is 238 tonnes. Testament to cooperation and information exchange. Also focus on promoting judicial cooperation. CrimJust program along cocaine trafficking routes in Latin America. WACAP in Africa supports facilitation of international cooperation on judicial matters. Facilitates time sensitive investigations. BENATOC has law enforcement training network. Supports sharing of best practices. Organized crime groups embrace innovations in technology, like the dark net. Counter this phenomenon by updating skills among law enforcement, judges, etc. Countering money laundering is a pillar of supply reduction. UNODC assisting to disrupt and destroy illicit financial flows. Laundered through multiple methods, such as bitcoins. Capacity building to member states on detecting and combating this type of laundering is hallmark of this response. Conclude by making reference to current trends from member states. Sobering facts from recent Annual Report Questionnaires. Cocaine seized globally increased by 30%. Global seizures of amphetamine type stimulants increased by 33% for second consecutive year. 348 reports in 2013 increased to 643 in 2015 of NPS. Illicit opium cultivation increased by 10%. Opiate seizures increased by 7%.
My second presentation provides an overview of the world situation with regard to drug trafficking. Primary source of information is Annual Report Questionnaires. Encourage remaining countries to provide information. Only 50% response rate. Information also comes from crop surveys, country reports from HONLEA meetings, and World Drug Report and other documents. Seizures of cannabis (herb and resin) and heroin remain stable. Cocaine went up. Americas account for majority of cannabis seizures. EU accounts for cannabis resin, heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy seizures. Asia Pacific accounts for methamphetamine, ecstasy, and heroin. Opium poppy cultivation went down for first time in Afghanistan in 2015. No data yet on 2016. Opium production also down, both because of fall in cultivation and fall in yield. Illicit morphine and opium seizures in South West Asia region. Heroin seized mostly around Afghanistan, but also large seizures in Europe, Asia Pacific, and America. North American mostly supplied by Latin America. Asia Pacific mostly supplied by Mayan and Laos. Afghanistan heroin trafficked through Europe. Global coca cultivation increased. 40% increase in Colombia. Doubled over two years in Colombia. Falling in Bolivia and Peru. Cocaine seizures concentrated in North and Latin America, and West and Central Europe. Seems to be shift from consuming to producing and transit regions. Used to seize mostly in consuming markets. Now proportion has decreased with most global seizures of cocaine occurring in producing and transit regions. In 2015, sharp increase in global seizures of cocaine. Driven by increase in South America, but also North America and Central and Western Europe. Cannabis herb seizures occur almost everywhere, but North and Latin America account for most in 2015. Cannabis resin traditionally concentrated in South West Asia and West and Central Europe. Geographical distribution has been changing. Traditionally cannabis herb most accounted for by North America. Shifting to Latin America and Caribbean. For resin, more equal distribution. ATS seizures are highest in Asia Pacific and North America. Since 2008, ATS seizures have tripled. At global level, ATS seizures reached a new record. Methamphetamine seizures continued increasing since 2015. Global ecstasy seizures decreased sharply in 2007. In recent years, trend related to Asia region. Increase ecstasy seizures in South East Europe. In 2016, there were four meetings of subsidiary bodies of the commission. Held in Africa, Latin America / Caribbean, Asia/ Pacific, and Near and Middle East. More information on these will be made available in the plenary session.
Chief of Sustainable Livelihoods Unit, UNODC: We are at a crossroad between progress and the status quo. We have 4 elements at our disposal that will allow is to avoid stagnation: the declaration of 2009; UN guiding principle of alternative development; SDG’s which are very relevant to all work; and finally the UNGASS outcome document. We have had some successes in member states, eg. moving states out of crop cultivation. Large number of communities still depend on illicit crop cultivation. Donor financing has been slow to materialise. Good-will will not eradicate illicit crop cultivation. We must provide communities the foundations to allow them to move forward on their own. Many member states are pushing SDG’s on their own initiative. Small business are also embracing alternative development. The next 12 months are crucial – we’ll continue to move in tandem with member states to implement projects in the field. Gender mainstream is at the heart of our work. Working with member states on how to implement the Outcome Document. UNODC is holding a conference with Afghanistan to support the Afghan alternative development model. The success of alternative development is very dependant on the private sector in reaching open markets. Malongo has agreed to buy coffee from Myanmar, helping alternative development in the region. We need additional resources from member states. We need impact assessments to measure if our resources are making a difference, without that we cannot move forward and change to the situation.
Paris Pact Initiative Coordinator, UNODC: Each member of this partnership is responsible for implementation. Vienna Declaration guides partnership in four pillars: detecting and blocking financial flows, preventing diversion of precursor chemicals, prevention and health, etc. UNODC is equal member and technical lead agency of this partnership. Discussion under three law enforcement pillars of Vienna Declaration. Alternative development an integral part of combating the world drug problem. Not yet part of Paris Pact framework. Need to work together to bring this topic in. Much done to achieve goals in Vienna Declaration since 2012. My office has drafted an annual report detailing the partnership’s efforts in support of the Vienna Declaration. Translated into all UN languages. Report highlights how Paris Pact serves as advocacy platform at highest benefit. Four key benefits: forum for global dialogue, promote best practices, respond to developing threats, and develop evidence-based policies and recommendations. Nurtured interregional and inter-thematic synergies. Concerted efforts culminated in delivery of wide range of programmatic tools and activities to support implementation of Vienna Declaration. Increased complexity and current challenges to drug control and demand mean we must continually refine our approach. Continue to strengthen information sharing. Increased participation to Paris Pact meeting of non-partner member states reinforces emerging trends across trafficking routes. Continued need for partnership to adapt to shifts in opiate trafficking. Research has an instrumental role in connecting the dots in creating an evidence base for action. Paris Pact program is a multi-donor initiative with currently eight donors. Thank them very much.
United Arab Emirates, League of Arab States: The group remains committed to the political declaration, despite obstacles. We call upon the UNODC to follow up on the implementation of the declaration to accelerate the process, with the possibility of extending the deadline beyond 2019 for states to complete their efforts. We are taking a number of measures to tackle supply demand: treatment services; education, awareness among health workers; establishment of mechanisms for prevention among youth; preventative measure addressing the economic and social factors for drug abuse; reducing cost of pharmaceuticals making them more accessible while preventing their trafficking; combatting illicit cultivation of drugs, trafficking & production; and promoting cooperation within the regional networks to combat drugs; we are providing bilateral mechanisms to promote cooperations, and identifying the assets emerging drug related crime (tracking freezing, etc); and finally enchaining national databases that include the size of the drug problem in member states. Our group reaffirms the importance of the connection between drug, crime and terrorism and will work with other Arab states to tackle this problem. Mobilising sufficient resources is vital.
Kuwait, on behalf of Golf Cooperation Council: Reaffirm commitment to three conventions and 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action, 2014 Joint Ministerial System, and 2016 UNGASS Outcome Document. Outcome Document is an effective approach to address the world drug problem. Reaffirm importance of continuing to implement goals of 2009 Political Declaration. Reaffirm need to consider the possibility of extending the target deadlines beyond 2019 to provide ample opportunity for member states to meet the goals. Urge states not to legalize any kind of narcotic drugs. Support maintaining the application of the death penalty, particularly in grave crimes connected to drugs as a deterrent to anyone thinking to harm the society through drugs.
Belarus, on behalf of Collected Security Treaty Organization: Three conventions are a solid legal architecture and cornerstone of the system. UNGASS reasserted role of CND. Follow provisions in run up to 2019. Combat illicit trafficking of drugs through canal operation. Importance of Paris Pact. In carrying out provisions of anti-drug strategy, member states are ready to continue making progress in joint efforts. NPS poses a threat of drugs to current generations. Stress importance of preventing consumption of drugs, especially among children and teenagers. Need resolute steps to prevent symbiotic growth of terrorism and drug crime. Progress towards peace and drug free world is strategic in guaranteeing human rights and peaceful world.
South Africa on Behalf G77 & African Group: The 2009 declaration resulted in many improvements with a view to promote health and welfare of citizens. Drug trafficking remains a major threat to many countries. In developing countries this has provided a breeding ground for organised crime undermining our efforts for development. South Africa is looking to pass a bill aimed at regulating the sale of alcoholic products, and rolling out medical cannabis products. In 2015 we adopted a policy helping youth who abuse drugs and seek to discourage drug abuse and promote youth in sport. We have dismantled 37 drug labs. We are committed to the 2009 action plan, 2014 declaration and the UNGASS outcome document and call for intensified cooperation to accelerate efforts. We also call for closer collaboration with other UN agencies.
Slovenia: Subscribe to statement on behalf of the EU. Need a comprehensive and humane drug policy, based on balanced implementation of pillars of demand and supply reduction. Also include international cooperation under principle of common and shared responsibility. Systematically developing drug legislation and policy. We have implemented decriminalization for small amounts to help drug users access treatment. All drug programs should be evidence-based and evaluated. Multi-sectoral and fully coordinated approach. Key element of comprehensive drug policy structure is evaluating and empowering development of treatment programs. Measuring quality, accessibility, and availability. Aging population of drug users poses number of challenges, such as homelessness, mental illness, and poly drug use. Existing networks have to respond to new needs. Believe in sharing our experience and expertise. Have set up a program of bilateral technical assistance. Priority is to promote balanced efforts. Believe that world drug problem can only be solved through international cooperation. Must be based on fact and through broad dialogue between all stakeholders. Sincere hope that efforts will lead to comprehensive and humane drug policy.
Sudan: We support the statement made made by the G77, China & African Group. We are committed to the 3 conventions and 2009 declaration, and the UNGASS recommendations. We face new challenges and types of drugs mainly a greater use of cannabis. Increased trafficking along the western border of Sudan due to the nature and situation in the in the larger region there. Increases in organised crime activities lead to insecurity in that area of the world. Some cartels exploit our terrain to traffic heroin from East Asia and towards Europe. This has led to the creation of new markets among youth in Sudan. In 2016 we seized 2.5 million tablets of captagon. We maintain the criminalisation of the trafficking of drugs. Some forest areas in Sudan are being used to grow cannabis, this is being carried out along an area of 13,000 sq km along south west border. In 2016 we carried out a major operation that eradicated 6,500 sq km of cannabis land. We seized 68,000 kg of cannabis. We are facing increasingly difficult situation when it comes to misuse of medical drugs – we adopted a policy to control the distribution and use of such tablets. We host over 70 civil society organisation contributions raining awareness in Sudan, Prevention programmes are the source of such efforts. We rely on collaboration with UNIDC and international standards when implementing such programmes. In 2016 we managed to hold 138 workshops and 228 interviews in the same vane. we have witnessed an increase in drug use among youth, and have introduced more programmes for such drug users and provide support for over 3000 addicts.
Oman: Reaffirm commitment to 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action, 2014 Joint Ministerial System, and 2016 UNGASS Outcome Document. Necessary to continue efforts to obtain our objectives. Important to identify obstacles and possible solutions to surmount them, such as capacity building processes and technical support. Important to consider extending the deadline of objectives beyond 2019. Taken a number of measures to reduce demand and supply. With regard to demand reduction, prepare and implement awareness raising programs in schools, universities, sport clubs, etc., publish publications and films, develop curriculums, 24 hour hotline with assistance for people who call in, exhibitions on buses to disseminate awareness raising messages, encourage programs for treatment and prevention in coordination with national committee on narcotics and psychotropic substances, etc. For supply reduction, enact necessary laws to counteract smuggling in coordination with counterparts in this field, exchange information at all levels on smuggling and trafficking networks, etc. Reaffirm CND as the principle body for drug policymaking in the UN. Call for enhancing cooperation with UNODC, especially in technical cooperation and training to enhance national efforts to counter drug problem.
Tunisia: I support the African Group, G77, China and Arab group in common responsibility and integrated approach to keep up with world challenges. We have introduced a programme to improve mental health and addiction to combat the scourge of drugs. We stress the prevention and health aspects over the security approach, which is not the only aspect of the phenomenon. We stress prevention over punishment and custodial punishments should not be given to users who wish to seek treatment. The consumer has the right to seek medical help and if the abuser is responding then the trial will come to and end. All those who work in the judiciary must be protected.
Qatar: Align with Kuwait statement on behalf of Golf Cooperation Council. The conventions are the cornerstone to international efforts on the world drug problem. 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action, 2014 Joint Ministerial System, and 2016 UNGASS Outcome Document are integrated documents that lay the foundation for a comprehensive approach to the world drug problem. Call for full commitment to these instruments and their implementation. Full respect for sovereignty of states. Stress importance of bilateral, regional, and international cooperation. Principle of common and shared responsibility. Pivotal role of UNODC. International program on DOHA is the largest program financed by one country in history of UNODC. Involve immunizing use through medium of sports. Encourage developing countries to contact UNODC to benefit from these projects on the national level. Policy is based on preventing entry of drugs by protecting our borders. Combat money laundering. Implementing program to immunize society, focusing on youth and students. Prevention programs begin with families, schools, and media. Enhancing human development in general. Narcotics are not isolated from other criminal activities. Requires studies, analysis, and linkage to other crimes. Coordinate international efforts in response. Progress achieved to curb production and consumption of narcotics. Arrival of NPS requires international and integrated strategy. Requires cooperation and building capacity. Qatar notes that certain parties are trying to legalize certain drugs for recreational purposes. This is a serious and dangerous threat to families, communities, adolescents, and youth which affects credibility of international conventions. Narcotics are a threat to national security and rule of law. Serious crime against society and the human being. Punishment for such crime is set by national laws and international legislation according to their evaluation of the degree of threat posed by these crimes.
Kenya: Kenya aligns with African group and G77 China statements. Concerned with increased use of cocaine heroin and cannabis and amphetamines. Organised crime use Kenya as a transit country. We are committed to the war on drugs and Kenya stresses the importance of cooperation in exchange of information and technical expertise. We ensure quality services are provided for people affected by drug addiction to treat addiction as a disease and incorporate it the national health insurance scheme. We are committed to training drug addiction professionals. We encourage donors to mobilise services especially for developing countries in Africa.
Canada: We continue to commit to the declaration both at home and in coop with international colleagues. Must balance public heath and safety with a variety of interventions to reach as many people as possible. In December 2016 Canada’s minister of heath announced health a key pillar based on evidence. Canada’s new strategy is based on harm reduction. Canada faces a crisis of opioid deaths. We improved access to crucial medicines without prescription, and more safe consumption sites have been granted. We are building capacity at the local level. We provide core funding to centre for substance use, and support initiative that further our common interest. On supply reduction efforts: A new strategy is compassionate and balanced. Strengthening enforcement to prevent new drugs being brought into Canada and combatting organised crime. Reducing supply decreases likelihood of abuse. Strong anti-money laundering, prevention and diversion of precursor chemicals (one of the biggest challenges of drug control) and to understand the illegal movements of precursor chemicals are fundamental. On NPS: enhancing cooperation and information exchange is vital; and we need to be able to rapidly add new substances to the list of banned substances. We face a fentanyl crisis and has scheduled 6 chemicals used in the manufacturing of the drug as well as banning pill-presses used. We are engaging positively with the US and Mexico. Supply reduction will continue to be a robust aspect of our drug control policy.
Iraq: Align with statement on behalf of Arab Group, as well as statement from G77 + China. Iraq is committed to the implementation of the three conventions. Committed to 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action, 2014 Joint Ministerial System, and 2016 UNGASS Outcome Document. These constitute a roadmap to countering the world drug problem. A number of UNODC reports indicate that Iraq is a transit country, however, we are faced with a multitude of challenges. Rendered the problems of misuse of drugs as particularly a concern with regards to youth. First national family census on drug and alcohol abuse done in Iraq. In response, we created a higher national commission for countering drug abuse. Allowed us to achieve a number of objectives. Submitted a draft law to parliament ratified in 2016 on countering drugs, to be published in official gazette. Subcommittees created. Established national strategy on countering drugs and psychotropic substances to respond to drug trafficking, distribution, trade, and abuse. Allows for establishment of treatment of addicts. Lead to their integration in society. Managed to contain and reduce the demand for drug and supply thereof. Expanding areas of collaboration at international, regional, and Arab level. UNODC has been of great assistance through technical support and organization of training courses and workshops. Look forward to further support. Need to carry out a study on various types of links between drug trafficking and organized crime, including terrorism and other relevant crimes. Making use of sophisticated means and tools to monitor and interdict proceeds of illegal drug trafficking. CND is the leading policymaking body at the international level on drugs. CND remains the correct framework to debate such relevant problems. Seek to join the membership of the CND during 2018 to 2021, through elections to be held in 2017 in New York.
Thailand: Treatment access nationwide. Support improvement of treatment standards and quality, and for drug users in prison. In order to completely put an end to spread of drugs, need a balanced approach of supply and demand reduction. Several ongoing drug abuse prevention activities and campaigns, including for youth in schools. Civil society encouraged to mobilize resources to secure societies safe from drugs. Target group is childhood below six years. Our national drug law has been amended to facilitate the provision of treatment services, taking into account human rights, proportionality, and development issues. Amendment of that law gives chance to drug users to get rehabilitation. After finishing treatment program, receive a certificate and can return to normal life with no criminal record. Continue to call for enhancing partnerships and remain committed to providing funds to programs. Committed to balanced approach in implementing strategies on drug control. Continue to emphasize information changing. On precursor control, Thailand places strong emphasis on preventing diversion. Intercept efforts to smuggles drugs in the area. Work closely with UNODC and neighbouring countries. Support recommendations of third conference on precursor chemicals and psychoactive substances in Bangkok last month. Need to work harder to stop masterminds behind drug supply. Regional and interregional cooperation important to share information, best practices, lessons learned, and latest trends in drug trafficking and abuse. Affirm that effective and comprehensive alternative development programs help to address the problem of crop cultivation, bring socio-economic development to affected areas, and empower communities to be the master of their own destiny. Promotes respect for the rule of law. Strong commitment to alternative development. Invite you to visit our exhibition on alternative development in the rotunda. Drug traffickers’ activity closely intertwined with other forms of transnational organized crime. Thailand’s legal framework enables our law to be more modernized. In response to criminalization of money laundering, Thailand has applied anti-money laundering act. In 2016, there were more than 100 cases of money laundering related to transnational organized crime. Approximately 4.6 million dollars. We need to ensure that there is no way for criminals to escape justice. Incompatibility of legal systems between countries allow for criminals to use loopholes for their benefit. Thailand promotes collaboration. Amended act on mutual legal assistance to modernize cooperation with other countries on asset sharing and recovery. Asset recovery is still a major challenge due to incompatibility of legal systems. Adolescents, youth, women, families and other vulnerable groups are a priority. Thailand promotes treatment for female inmates, including those involved in drug offences, in a gender sensitive manner. Also for children who accompany their mothers in prison. Prevention and criminal justice joint project with UNODC and UNICEF. Call for stronger determination of all states in assisting one another in appropriate and practical measures to facilitate better international judicial cooperation.
Armenia: These problems of use and trafficking also affect Armenia. Armenia is not considered to be a major producer country. It is however, a channel for trafficking because of our location between Europe and Asia. We are looking to reduce supply and demand to reduce trafficking. Previously, unlike narcotic drugs in cannabinoid group grown in Armenia, the only opiates were imported. We have seen an increase in intravenous morphine use, which is home-made. People consuming drugs are compelled to stop using, or else use more accessible mixtures of diamorphine. I’d like to highlight growing danger of pregabalin medicine. Among people using narcotic drugs, we are seeing a sharp increase in treatment. Punishment for using drugs without doctor’s prescription was decriminalised, and we have better treatment options. Existing programmes include methadone substitution therapy, which extend to prisons. These services cooperate with the government and NGOs. Permanent crime groups do not exist in Armenia. In 2016 as a result of investigative activities, we’ve seized and sent for analysis 19.7kg of drugs. 466 people were brought to justice last year. 11 were women. 4 minors. We remain committed to combating drug trafficking.
Venezuela: Thank you and good afternoon. May I reaffirm to the Commission our commitment to tackle illicit trafficking. We are a country through which a lot of traffic flows, just because of our location between drugs produced to the south and consumers in countries to the north. Even though it is a recognised fact that a transit country is a state through the territory of which illicit substances are being moved. We are often referred to as the country of origin despite being just a transit country. The drug issue is being turned into a tool to pressure us for political ends. We seek to strengthen interdiction of organised criminal groups who use our territory, air, sea or land, to carry out drug crimes. We will install secondary radars, the acquisition of new aircraft, we will equip security bodies with new technology. All in keeping with integrated and balanced strategy. This is being carried out in face of slump in value of main export. We know this money could go better to use in education, but we are all pledged to defeat illicit drugs.
USA: As evidenced by UNGASS, the international community recognises need for balanced approach. We must be aware of accelerating multiplicity of drugs and drug activities. To remove their profits states should maintain effective anti-money laundering schemes. A balanced approach to drug policy also means sustainable demand reduction. The opioid crisis has seen a high degree of mortality. 52,000 overdose deaths in 2015. 60% involved heroin or fentanyl. It is important that justice officials understand substance abuse as a health issue. We have prescription drug monitoring programmes and many other initiatives. We have expanded access to naloxone. Health and justice sector collaborations need to increase alternatives to incarceration. Drug courts are good. They allow us to look at underlying cause of substance misuse and allow diversion from prison. At international level, we need to improve coordination between UN agencies. We commend WHO and UNODC on recent Memorandum of Understanding. We encourage other relevant agencies to begin implementing their mandate, keeping the CND informed. We introduced a resolution on this very important issue. All of these issues, supply reduction, demand reduction and anti money-laundering need coordination between bodies.
United Arab Emirates: The 2009 Political Declaration and the UNGASS outcome document represent a road map for meeting UNODC goals. We have seen an increase in seizures. We have launched prevention programme, awareness programmes and campaigns around four themes (happiness, companionship, family cohesion and healthy body). We welcomed study into alternatives to justice system. For first time users we have replaced prison time with community service, fines and no criminal record. There is no way around international cooperation. We always welcome best practices.
Korea: Most illicit drugs in Korea are imported. The Korea customs service has made every effort to stop trafficking at our ports, understanding this to be best measure to reduce supply. As a proactive response to growing risk, information sharing projects into new psychoactive substances are ongoing. According to National Korean Police agency, the amount of drugs seized from internet has increased.
Serbia: We provide many activities in field of prevention of demand and prevention of supply. We would like to be viewed as a model for other countries. We are trying to help people with mental health disorders and bad family lives. We established an early warning system in NPS. I would like to say that all information we received about NPS went into our list of controlled substances.
Algeria
First delegate: In the name of God, may the peace of God be with you Chair. I would like to explain some of those measures in reducing impact of drugs on young people. I have designed a series of measures on public health. We have set up special units to treat drug users. Our efforts at prevention in these clinics require special training of people. We also provide alternative treatment including heroin replacement treatment. We’ve cooperated with specialist bodies. We’ve organised specific prevention campaigns and have worked with youth clubs in poor areas and other places in order to reach out to society as much as possible. In order to implement 2009 Plan of Action and 2014 Ministerial Declaration and UNGASS outcome document, we will have talks at churches and universities. We have a new programme in universities treating addicts. We would like to stress role of family in preventing drug abuse. We need to save our children before they fall pray to drugs. Family is at the heart of prevention. We would like to stress efforts made by UNODC expert group which designed a legislative guide as well as a specific guide on training programmes for families. Algeria is preparing a guide too which covers all elements of society. I’d like to encourage UNODC to continue efforts and continue providing technical assistance. In this way we can be successful at preventing our children from falling into any kind of crime. And we can work out how we can help all sorts of different groups, such as children from single parent homes. It is up to society to protect these children and help them be benefit to society.
Second delegate: I’d like to talk about supply reduction. Drug supply here funds terrorism, especially in this area. Because of our geographic position, we continue to register huge amounts of cannabis. There was a net drop thanks to deterrence efforts from security services in Algeria. Importers come from south and west and are then take a lot of cannabis to another destination. Ecstasy and downers are becoming more and more popular. The fact that pills are cheap and are introduced by roundabout routes are main driving factors in this traffic. Young users are on the rise. We need treatment of addicts. We reaffirm our commitment to international drug policy conventions. We aim for more data collection and improved analysis. Traffickers are now importing smaller amounts of meth, even using human drug mules. Identification of criminal networks at national level, we see that drug problem is international responsibility.
Third delegate: Algeria is aligned with international standards in legislative and operational terms. We have amended the money laundering law and terrorism financing law to take into account all aspects to prevent illicit capital transfers. New powers have been given to the judicial power to combat money laundering and other serious crimes, such as financing terrorism. Apart from strengthening structures to combat economic crimes, we have also established measures such as seizure of illicit assets. The operational activities of the unit for financial information has increased because of changes in the anti-money laundering laws and awareness campaigns to improve efficiency. The unit for financial information received a number of suspicious transactions, which were passed to judicial authorities. Regarding requests of international assistance, 79 requests received and over a hundred issued. In terms of strengthening cooperation, we attribute great importance to judicial cooperation. These efforts have led to several legal cooperation agreement governed by different ministries and the national INTERPOL centre for Algeria. This ensures many crimes, including illicit drug trafficking are lessened. There’s a challenge with regards to speed, lack of bilateral cooperation… We recently signed an agreement with Tunisia on this matter. There are other stumbling blocks. We welcome UNODC, who has provided a platform for the exchange of good practices and training. We continue efforts with African Union and other countries of the region, implementing AFRIPOL in combating terrorism, transnational crime, drug trafficking and money laundering. The Maghreb Union is a good example of cooperation. We repeat our commitment to strengthen cooperation to prevent and increase our capacity to increase our combat in line with international standards.
Japan: We have traditionally viewed out to other countries as a priority. This is primarily within the sphere of worldwide networking to promote intelligence-sharing and joint counter drugs operations against common targets. For example, National Police hosted the Asia Pacific conference on the matter. They have centred on the trafficking of NPS and ATS. In terms of demand reduction, treatment is important and necessary. A harm reduction approach is applicable under certain conditions. However, we are strongly against the uniform production of harm reduction, such as decriminalisation, needle exchange programmes, among others, without consideration of the situation of each country. The government of each country should take into account social and cultural aspects in each country. It is inappropriate to impose harm reduction policy in countries where it is not fit. We would like to stress that our customs agency values the exchange of information. We want to stress that passengers name record are efficient tools for border enforcement. We are committed to implement the recommendations of the 2009 Political Declaration and Action Plan towards 2019.
Israel: The drug problem is treated as a public health issue and put the most affected at the core of the response. National efforts are led and coordinated by the anti-drug authority through a multidisciplinary approach. Unified standards of training ensure skilled professional staff. We have a healthy lifestyles approach to target the general population. Due to the multicultural nature of our population, we need to adapt demand reduction approaches. Our health centred approach to treatment offers a range of interventions that address the needs of each individual, including gender and cultural sensitivity in full respect of human rights. Harm reduction measures are also implemented. Tailored treatment. Several measures urge Member States to consider alternatives to incarceration. We advocate for the principle of proportionality of sentencing in their judicial system. In Israel that the sentence should be proportional to the severity of crimes is a guiding principle. We also employ, where appropriate, alternatives to incarceration, including treatment or fines. Fines will finance treatment, prevention of drug use. We value international cooperation and continue to enhance efforts.
Morocco: My delegation would like to recall major efforts in our fight against trafficking, as well as treatment of drug addicts. We have joint investigations with partner countries. Morocco continues to suffer from psychotropic substance trafficking. There has been a massive introduction of hard drugs into Morocco. We would like to express commitment to balance and integration in drug policy.
India: We recognise drug about as a psycho, social, medical problem. We implement a scheme for the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse. We are well aware of the need to have accurate statistics. We are conducting a national survey to ascertain number of people who have taken to drugs. We are conscious of need to develop standards for treatment and rehabilitation. We have notified 6 narcotic drugs as essential narcotic drugs. We are going to remove the barriers to accessing these drugs for medical use. We took it on ourselves to eradicate huge amount of poppy fields and cannabis plants. We have made huge seizures of metacolone. We have enacted an act regarding money laundering. A number of law enforcement agencies have been empowered to take action, with the intention to disrupt criminal financial flows. We have tried to connect networks internationally so we can work together better with better intelligence and a better platform.
Portugal: We facilitate operations which aim to intervene in trafficking around Europe. We supported the seizure of 360 tonnes of cocaine. The Lisbon Declaration adopted by G7 calls for cooperation between partners. We see UNODC as essential in repressing drug trafficking and we’d like to commend them on their maritime work especially in Caribbean and West Africa.
Djibouti: I would like to inform this august assembly that we have made seizures of 500 kg of cocaine in January 2017. This was the biggest seizure. This was meant to go to Spain and therefore the rest of Europe. In order to fool us, they had decided to use Djibouti as a transit country so they sent the drugs to Djibouti. This confirms that the traffickers are now using East Africa as a trafficking area, where it used to be West Africa. We have international ports which are expanding. This position between Asia, Europe and Africa is economically beneficial but not beneficial with drug trafficking. So we need the assistance of the UNODC.
China: No expense is being spared in preventing drug use. over 10,000 teachers have engaged in anti-drug training. Drug users are provided with effective treatment. Drug users have community based treatment. We treat community as main unit for supporting drug users. 29,000 community based treatment centres. Accelerated efforts to improve services. Infections among drug abusers went up and HIV rates went down. HIV/AIDS plan is being enacted. Police and health authorities work together. We seized lots of drugs, heroin, ice, ketamine. We carried out joint operations with relevant countries. The safe water international operation with Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and Mayanmar went well – our thanks to these countries for successful operations. Lots of drug labs dismantled, lots of seizures of drugs and precursors. The cut down on cybercrime has been followed through programmes. Technical assistance should be offered. Many drug related websites have been closed down.
Nigeria: We have made progress due to inter-agency collaboration. The new unplugged programme of drug prevention in young people has seen a pilot. Online counselling initiated last year is ongoing. We have an anonymous government forum where people can share skills and coping strategies. Cannabis is what we’ve seized the most in this country. It is hard to find where drugs are grown because of jungle land. We also have to contend with terrorist groups. Apart from cannabis, there is cocaine and heroin trafficking. We have a lot of khat imported. We try to prevent new routes and channels. We want to thank international groups for our successful work in 2016. We will continue to implement effective efforts to counter trafficking trains.
Indonesia: Indonesia has adopted international prevention standards. It is suspected that in 2019 this pilot will be adopted as a programme. We are trying to equip addicts with reintegration skills. Some are government based and some NGO based. 2014 was the year to save drug abusers by promoting treatment and not sending them into incarceration. Number of daily drug related deaths down from 40 in 2011 to 33 in 2015. Smuggling drugs has had a negative effect on economy and young generation. Transnational organised crime groups target Indonesia. The wide use of cannabis remains a concern of our country. Workers, students and children have all been involved in trafficking. Madame Chair my delegation believes that a 0 tolerance approach is needed in order to promote society free of drug abuse. Countering the drug problem requires law enforcement. We have established Memorandums of Understanding with bodies in other countries. 16 MoU’s have been signed with other countries. Indonesia remains committed to tackling money laundering.
WHO: Recently signed MoU between WHO and UNODC indicates new period of collaboration between the agencies. We partnered with UNODC on epidemiology of drugs study. In area of treatment, we are expanding and extending work in care. Direct technical support to number of countries.
Malta (on behalf of the European Union):
Madam Chair,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.
The UNGASS and its Outcome Document with its seven-pillar structure represent a milestone and a progressive step forward in international drugs policy. We are deeply committed to continue addressing the world drug problem in a balanced, integrated and comprehensive manner. As indicated in our opening statement yesterday, we intend to address all the areas of our joint commitment to effectively addressing the world drug problem, including demand reduction, supply reduction and international cooperation, in our statement under agenda item 6.
Thank you, Madam Chair
International Drug Policy Consortium: Thank you Mme. Chair for giving me the floor. I am making this intervention on behalf of the International Drug Policy Consortium – a global network of 170 NGOs that come together to promote drug policies based on human rights, human security, social inclusion and public health.
We are intervening under this agenda item, on the implementation of the 2009 Political Declaration and Action Plan, as we are now in the last two years of the 10-year timeframe within which to achieve the targets set out to ‘eliminate or reduce significantly and measurably’ the cultivation, demand, production of illicit drugs, and associated money laundering. The existence of this 10-year plan implies a review, renewal or some form of closure in 2019.
However, a process for genuinely and meaningfully evaluating progress against the 2019 targets has so far not been established. At this CND, Member States are discussing the process as we move towards 2019 and laying the ground for what will happen thereafter.
Drawing on the process that took place in 2009, at the end of the last 10-year action plan, we would like to offer some recommendations towards these deliberations. We ask Member States consider a three step process.
Firstly, conduct an independent and honest review of the progress towards the targets. This could be in the form of an independent or cross-UN process that genuinely assesses both the progress and the failure of global drug control, including its negative impacts on health, security, human rights and poverty – an assessment which did not take place at the 2014 mid-term review and the 2016 UNGASS.
Secondly, undertake a period of reflection and debate through a series of expert group meetings – or thematic CND intersessionals based on the 7 themes of the UNGASS Outcome Document. This process would also be helpful towards developing a set of new targets and indicators for measuring the effectiveness of drug policies and programmes that are in line with the latest global political commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals. Monitoring progress towards those new targets using additional indicators may also require a revision of the Annual Reports Questionnaire or ARQs currently in use. These processes should include the participation of all relevant UN entities, civil society and academia.
Finally, Member States have not yet decided on whether there will be a new global commitment on drugs agreed in 2019 or 2020. However, it is apparent that the 2009 Political Declaration should not be renewed or extended. Any discussions or new text should take the 2016 UNGASS Outcomes as a starting point, as the most recent global consensus on international drug policy.
Regardless of the document format, the 2019 process needs to be far more open and transparent to allow for genuine debate, and should focus on practical recommendations reflecting the divergence of views and the ongoing exploration of new approaches to address drug-related problems more effectively and coherently in the coming decade.
Thank you for your consideration and your continued commitment to the meaningful participation of civil society.
Eurasian Harm Reduction Network (EHRN): It has already been eight years since the negative side effects, or unintended consequences of the war on drugs were acknowledged by the former executive director of UNODC. These negative consequences include the HIV and hepatitis epidemics, overdose mortality, massive incarceration, corruption, police abuse – we all know this list, as it is impossible to name a country that has not experienced most of them to some extent.
Living in the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, we have suffered a lot from these side effects of the drug war. The fact that these consequences were not an intention of the legislators and the law enforcement is no longer a good excuse to perpetuate them. We know that criminalization of drug use and drug possession for personal use has a negative impact on public health and citizens’ rights. Yet, there is no global agreement on what to do about it next.
Some countries experiment with diversion from arrest, with decriminalization, and market regulation. As civil society, we welcome these efforts, but we need robust evidence to prove that they have a positive impact on health, safety and human rights, and are conducive to sustainable development goals. We need fully consolidated drug policy impact assessment in order to drive the reform on the global level while avoiding further harm.
The resolution adopted by UN Special Session on the World Drug Problem of 2016 promotes the idea of including the civil society and the scientific community into the evaluation of drug control policies and programs. Today, almost a year after UNGASS, we still see no effort to implement this decision. Implementation of evidence-based drug policy impact assessment on the global level has yet to begin.
We consider it of utmost importance that the Commission takes note of the urgent need to develop a unified methodology of drug policy impact assessment and provide technical support to member states to implement it. On our behalf, we promise to support and promote the development of the methodology of such assessments, as well as data collection and analysis.
Better solutions to the problem of narcotic drugs can not be figured out without taking a clear, critical look back on decades of inefficiency — and tallying the true costs of the measures enacted thus far. It’ss high time to start crunching the numbers in a meaningful way. It’s time for a unified drug policy impact assessment.
International Network of People Who Use Drugs: The 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem is focused on the implementation of the three pillars of drug control. These are demand reduction, supply reduction, and countering money laundering and promoting judicial cooperation to enhance international cooperation. A notable and glaring omission is the fourth pillar of harm reduction. Harm reduction is an evidence-based, comprehensive package of services that prevents HIV and Hep C infections amongst people who use drugs, and reduces social harms. Its exclusion from a global drug strategy is a staggering failure.
What is commonly referred to as a world drug problem is in fact a drug policy problem, driving human rights violations against people who use drugs. As an organization concerned with the harms caused by the world’s current approach to drugs, we ask:
How are extrajudicial killings part of an integrated and balanced strategy?
How is the detention of people who use drugs in compulsory drug detention centres, where rights to due process, to health, to be free from torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment are denied, part of an integrated and balanced strategy?
How is the death penalty for drug offences, which runs counter to international law, part of an integrated and balanced strategy to drugs?
How is the systemic violence and abuse of communities part of an integrated and balanced strategy?
How is the denial of evidence-based treatment through banning opiate substitution therapy part of an integrated and balanced strategy?
Approaches to drugs and drug use cannot omit human rights concerns, nor harm reduction measures. The preamble to the drug control conventions commits to protecting the health and welfare of mankind; the purview of which evidently does not extend to people who use drugs. We believe that an integrated and balanced approach must protect the lives of people who use drugs, and conform with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which recognizes the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all people.
Given the shortcomings of the 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action in protecting health and human rights, the UNGASS Outcome Document must supersede the 2009 Political Declaration, until 2019, when the Political Declaration should come up for review. We must move out of the narrow, limited three pillar approach, and instead nation states should focus on implementing the seven thematic chapters of the UNGASS Outcome Document, particularly the operational recommendations under Chapter 4), and use it as the foundational document for review in 2019. For the future, we believe that decriminalization of drug use is the necessary first step towards protecting the human rights of youth, children, women and communities.
People who use drugs are neither criminals nor victims of a hijacked brain or a disease. We must be recognized as full citizens, deserving of access to the spectrum of human rights, and fully capable of engaging meaningfully in the issues that affect our lives. People who use drugs are not the problem, but part of the solution. Framing people who use drugs as ‘sick’ people in need of rescue, prevents communities from participating as equal partners, who have much to contribute in the response to drugs and drug use.