John Brandolino, UNODC: As highlighted in the ministerial declaration; the acceleration of the UNGASS document will be in the focus of the commission beyond 2019. The UNGASS provides a comprehensive set that addresses all aspects of the WDP. The negotiation of the draft document was adopted by consensus. Through resolution 60/1 the commission asked UNDOC to provide a comprehensive follow up response. The series of thematic discussions focussing on lessons learned provided an opportunity for all stakeholders to bring their expertise to the table. A dedicated UNGASS website was set up to collect the good practices and expertise shared. UNODC also provides member states with technical support to implement the documents. UNODC supports the following implementations:
Chapter 1; UNODC works to implement interventions on strategies and programmes on people who inject drugs. UNODC delivers standards and tools to be used by member states. The international standards, UNODC, WHO, UNAIDS technical guidance sets targets for treatment, prevention and care for active drug users.
Chapters 2; UNODC develop in partnership and cooperation with partners an availability of controlled substances
Chapter 3; monitoring the illicit drug trafficking market. UNODC strengthen the ability of member states to combat drug-related crimes. UNODC work on promoting judicial cooperation to continue reducing illicit drug supply.
Chapter 4; UNODC support the design of drug policies that protect human rights. They are further developing tools to address justice for children, alternatives to imprisonment, prison reform and violence to women. All projects have to be evaluated on how they address human rights.
Chapter 5; UNODC assists member states in efforts to achieve security, monitor drug trafficking challenges and drug trafficking on the darknet and the use of cryptocurrencies.
Chapter 6; to foster international cooperation UNODC convenes multi-lateral cooperation. We partner with other UND entities and other organizations.
Chapter 7; to ensure the implementation of the recommendation UNODC consider alternative development programs and look at an economically viable alternative to growing crops.
These are some of the areas that support the work of the UNGASS outcome document. In the 2019 declaration UNODC war requested to provide technical guidance to the CND. UNODC stands ready to continue to supporting member states
John Brandolino, UNODC: I want to thank the support of the member states. we are understanding that we will not get the additional resources for the beginning of next year. We will be relying on member states to carry out the programmes.
European Union: we must reaffirm the outcome of the special session of the UNGASS 2016. The outcome document and effective law enforcement concerning money laundering crimes. the 7 thematic areas in the UNGASS document need to be focused on the practical application. We must reaffirm the commitment to improve the world drug strategy. we promote the use of the international recognise drug use and treatment and support the EU to implement their use. The availability of access to controlled substances, the action plan contains the EU enforcement agencies contribution to the immeasurable counter of illicit drugs, dismantling organised crime groups and increasing intelligence sharing. Law enforcement authorities have been successful in dismantling organised group in all areas including drug trafficking. On the one side by streamlining data collection and on the other top shorten the deadline to ban illicit substances. The UN member states would like to reiterate that the death penalty should be abolished globally. Based on the principals of common and shared responsibility we continue to promote the implementation of the UNGASS document 2016. we encourage UNODC to continuing its work on the ARQ.
Thailand: We stand by the successful implementation of the UNGASS document, that has taken placed over the past three years. Thailand has continuously improved its drug policy to ensure an effective global cooperation and better protection of public health. Thailand is currently in in the process of issuing a new narcotic code. We believe there is a place for further research on cannabis use and medical purposes. We commend the community who have been involved in ongoing interventions, helping to promote appropriate treatments within communities and witness better results. At an international level, and for the international community, we encourage effective cooperation. The 2019-2022 chemical control and law enforcement , furthermore including drug monitoring work at airports, who have been successful with dealing with situations and law enforcement agency. Thailand has been improving drug policy and alternative development programmes to challenge drug problems effectively. I pledge my full commitment to the world community, in order to promote peace, stability and human growth.
France: We echo and subscribe to the statement if the EU. In the three years since 2016 multilateralism has been replaced by many countries pursuing their own laws. France is pleased with the ministerial declaration last week; it confirms that we still have a common core of principles for the fight against drugs. The UNGASS is the most recent and ambitious consensus that the international community has agreed upon. Franc reiterates support for a humane and balanced approach within the UNGASS. The importance given in 2016 to the human rights charter of the UN remains at the heart of the fight against drugs. We must address the causes and socio-economic terms of drug use. Risk reduction and treatment with a focus on the most vulnerable. The 2016 document includes ambitious operational goals for the coming 10 years. France has acted in a just and humane way. We were pleased to see the ministerial declaration included the Annual Questionnaire on drugs. Drugs threaten the well-being of our society. UNGASS is our foundation for national and international combat against drugs.
Japan: I Wish to discuss the implementation of UNGASS document in Japan. Controlled drugs used for medical purposes, are effective and are used for appropriate treatment such as when used as painkillers, albeit they can be severely harmful for health when abused or misused. There is a need to encourage education on the use of medical drugs for patients who need it. Why? Preventing abuse and misuse it is important to educated professionals such as doctors and physicians. In addition, education for patients and families to prevent individuals from having a misunderstanding of medical narcotics. Japan takes issue with deregulation, we should continue to prioritise continue proper use of opioid pain killers. As to Cannabis, we support ICNB and international society must work together. Why? Some countries make legalization for recreational, japan takes concern with this. Our concern with cannabis with cultivation of THC cannabis, with popular products such as cannabis cookies/chocolates. Japan believes this could influence innocent and juveniles, and cause severe health disorders. International society must use reduction to protect vulnerable people. The efforts of law enforcement agencies must continue to – Ground for challenging trafficking organisations who have been able to expand their efforts, as a result it is essential for law enforcement agencies that info sharing and counter-drug operations. Law enforcement agencies are strongly committed to advancing such global cooperation reports, such NPA has hosted the operational drug enforcement conference in Tokyo. The conference has focused on discussing transnational trafficking, amphetamine type substances. In an effort to implement UNGASS documents, this has given the opportunity to share information, which has bolstered an international effort against drug-trafficking organisations. Furthermore, we have long-standing training courses for enforcement agencies. Platform to further law enforcement efforts, the drug problem is a common and shared responsibility of the world community. Japan will continue to support these parties in fulfilling these duties.
United States: The UNGASS represents the most recent consensus on drug policy. It highlights the need for comprehensive drug policy. The US remains committed to implementing the comprehensive and balanced approach set out in the UNGASS document. Synthetic drugs are not replacing traditional plant-based drugs, we now need to tackle both problems. The US supports targeted strategies. We are advancing a number of steps:
- Streamlined procedures to temporarily schedule dangerous substances
- Control by class and other related substances
- Laws providing for the analysing of substances
- Customs laws to fight NPS trafficking,
The US promotes a unit of interventions to support treatment and recovery. As we explore new approaches, we need to prioritise evidence-based practices that have proved to be effective.
- We have invested funds to tackle this problem
- Education of prescribers
- Expanding access to treatment
- Expansion of overdose treatment and follow-up care
- We have increased the access to low threshold care
- Development of recovering high school so those dealing with addiction can complete their studies.
The advantage of the UNGASS document also presents a great challenge. We look forward to sharing our implementation experiences in the months to come. Our data collection efforts are missing information to counter the WDP.
China: We hope that the UNODC will continue to table discussion of drug treatment and strengthen its cooperation with the UN organisations such as the World Health Organisation. It is important research continues to explore controlled drugs, alongside how guidance on how to prevent abuse. We expect the UNODC to play a more helpful and flexible role. We must help develop a strategy to reduce the illicit cultivation of drug plant and we must strike balance between individual offenders and the society.
Pakistan: We are taking all possible measures to effectively implement the 2009 and 2016 documents at a national level. The increasing and evolving challenge of drug abuse in youth and educational settings has the protentional to ruin our present generation. We have a zero-tolerance policy against drugs and other related crimes. Pakistan and UNODC organises a regional expert grou0p, followed by a one-day training session – the aim was to foster regional cooperation and partnership. The outcome of the meeting has been circulated as a conference room paper under agenda item 10 and 11 Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to fight drug abuse in multiple settings.
Switzerland: UNGASS devoted to the topic of drugs, marks a crucial turning point on health and human rights. Since adoption, Switzerland continues to implement its support for the document and it is convinced to pursue a constructive and evidence based approach. Importantly an inclusive approach, in terms of inclusion of civil society has proven its worth. Switzerland welcomes ongoing meetings by the CND, to compare existing strategies to meet the practical recommendations in UNGASS. We must now work towards action, despite in the past on occasions arising terms of differences. Switzerland will continue to shoulder responsibility, according to the 2018 drug report by UNODC a large number of women suffer from drug-addiction, however only women meet 1/5 of those receiving treatment. In line with our national addiction policy we place a focus on addiction undertaken with quality support.
Algeria: We restate our determination to combat the global drugs problem which is a genuine concern and a major challenge to the security and instability to states. The adoption of the UNGASS document on the global drug problem marks an important step and logical continuation of political declaration of 2009, and of the joint ministerial statement of 2014. With regard to the the UNGASS document, the Algerian government put in place a multi-disciplinary ministry to identify steps to be taken to implement areas of strategy not yet addressed by relevant institutions on a national level. Counter anti-drug strategy, addiction treating means on the ground awareness raising activities in collaboration with civil society, targeting different populational groups including children and young people. As for treatment and prevention, I would particularly highlight that people who used drugs benefit from prevention and serious cases from overdose, through tests such as HIV, hepatitis checking. Algeria has continued to bolster regional and sub-regional efforts for collaboration. Trafficking efforts, positive role by the to address terrorism and organised crime. Assistance projects and coop with UNODC continue to prevent abuse in drug practices, through all of our pharmacies and strict regulation. The improvement of our healthcare system; pharmaceutical companies put more emphasis on the availability and accessibility of pain-killing medication which are effective such as morphine. Treatment of cancer and fighting the trafficking is also an essential element of our national strategy, on the ground this is the signing of protocols between our customs, which means inter-service cooperation at institutional and operational level. Alternative measures rather than the imprisonment of drug-users and therapy orders. The Algerian government believes it drug-prevention and drug-countering efforts, which is a broad goal now part of our socio-economic policy. Our fight against the evil of drugs.
Mexico: The firm commitment to the operational recommendations of the UNGASS. The government of Mexico has carried out an exercise which has been important in guiding our drug polices; they consisted of round tables, academic sectors and civil society. the matrix identified the authorities with responsibility for each recommendation – through this we are able to record the gradual progress of each implementation. The drafting of a report and call to action which synthesized the concrete finding from experts allowed us to identify where updates are necessary for our national legislation. We acknowledge the advanced work undertaken in CICAD and the work of the Pompidou group and other organisation who are striving to implement the outcomes of the UNGASS 2016 document.
Sudan: The issue of narcotic drugs is one of the most complex today. The victims of the world drug problem are the young people, whom are the bearer of our hopes and future capacities. The impacts on societies are clear, and with much crime linked to drug consumption. I reiterate the position of my country and commitment to the three documents. We have through a pen-online system intercepted thirty deliveries which are not inconformity with the authorities, and have continued to prevent medical substances falling into the hands of criminal organisations. We reaffirm our commitment to the international conventions, psychotropic substances as well as the provisions in the outcome document. Following these provisions, the national body charged with regulation have organised with pharmaceuticals, to inform them, also training has been undertaken with a train provider in my company to publicise which involve pharmacists to challenge narcotic substances. This guarantees a greater transparency, we reaffirm the coop with the INCB, which is seen in our annually reports and on control substances. We guarantee availability of controlled substances, we support WHO recommendations, we will update our reports and recommendations relevant to this. We are however concerned with psychotropic substances amongst certain groups, specifically children and students as has been demonstrated in police reports. We seek to take the relevant research, showing an increase in such products and an increase in exports. The discussion of materials and substances have been scheduled, and we seek to step up our commitment on psychotropic and new substances, ensuring the necessary support to be given to regulatory authorities in my country.
Nigeria: We value the rule-based system and have made efforts to implement recommendations of the outcome document. we are implementing the ‘family ties’ programme which is an effective, but expensive programme to implement throughout the country. We have made progress in the treatment of drug use disorders. We have set up a multi stakeholder drug dependence committee. The National agency for the control of aids have set up a call centre focusing on young people who inject drugs. The cultivation and illicit trafficking of drugs is still a problem. The magnitude of harm in illicit trade and cultivation is a major challenge. We thank our international partners that have supported the national drug law agency. The national law enforcement agency participated in conferences across West Africa that have fosters the anti-money laundering activities. In 2018 we enacted a legislation to enact an independent financial unit in the field of information sharing. As part of the international collaboration we have made requests to other countries and have provided information at the request of other countries. The government of Nigeria is conduction the second nation survey on psychotropic substances and precursors. Nigeria is about to commence the local manufacturing of narcotic to meet national need and ensure availability., we have noted the high rate of women involved in substance abuse. The state Governors wife’s forum has implemented programs on drug use. We encourage preventative drug use programmes. In addition, the NGO’s establishing the facilitation of community drug treatment facilities. The misuse of pharmaceutical and psychotropic drugs and precursors is a major concern, however there is political will to combat this problem. the national regulatory mechanism has strengthened to control the distributing of controlled medicine. Concerning thematic area 7 Nigeria recognises the importance of ad programmes and not the need to have short- and long-term planes on alternative development. We need to have an appropriate base line information; we are working to address the current challenges.
Belgium: The UNGASS document is the most agreed upon so far and turns these commitments into these actions. Protecting and promoting human rights and dignity of so many individuals. Let me highlight three core elements; First Belgium, values access and availability of control substances for medical and research purposes. The inhumane suffering due to inadequate access is no longer accessible. The availability has been confirmed in the three drug documents. We strongly believe it is time for action, we received over the last years from UNODC alongside the scientific community, meaning much is still to be done. The UNGASS document contains many substantial aims, we applaud the work of UNODC to support stakeholders and the implementation of recommendations. Preventing diversion and ongoing rise of use of synthetic substances which causes threat to the lives of many, and deserves our support. This should not discourage nations in these regions to adopt availability. Secondly, we non-discriminatory access to health and all programmes in prisons. In Belgium actions have been taken to enable people to use drugs in prisons, which not only affect detention but also reintegration. This project is evaluated by a research team. Finally, in times of change and growing diversity, we believe our drug policies must be built on practical experiences and evidence based (swap), this requires sufficient resources and an honest approach, and civil society can provide highly useful info that can be taken into account, the coinciding of drug policy is the only way forward.
South Africa: During the special session member states confirmed the commitment to the international drug control conventions. our joint efforts in implementing the 2016 document resulted in the adoption of resolution 60/1. Member states and other relevant stakeholders had the opportunity to praise each other on achievements made. SA has embarked on intense capacity building focusing on ensuring access to treatment services. Each of the 9 provisions now has an operational treatment centre.
Jamaica: My delegation recalls compromise, constructive engagement which demonstrates and effectively addresses the world drug problem. With Focused attention on demand and supply reduction, the availability of controlled substances, human rights and new trends, international cooperation and development. It is clear implementation demands collaborative engagement at all levels, internationally and domestically. The national drug plan will serve as a framework for all activities concerning harm reduction and drug-control measures, and is a comprehensive balance approach acknowledging common responsibility amongst all stakeholders. In terms of law enforcement and prevention, it of significance to share resources in the region in attempt to formulate greater implementation. Regional security is ensured through information security sharing, and a capacity law enforcement building, to disrupt activities linked to organised crime, with drugs being a key focus, especially disruption on the supply side. As part of the ongoing effort to build capacitary capabilities, focus is on trafficking, with efforts on kits and screening machines at international airports to control drugs coming in and out of the country. Jamaica joins the international community to achieve a society free of drug abuse, and seeks to raise public awareness on drug related manners from a demand and supply perspective. New focus on emerging drugs, demands public education activities further concentrated on the likes of new psychoactive substances. Jamaica reiterates its support of the UNGASS document, and continued support of the UNODC in their effort.
Canada: continue to be a strong supporter of the 2016 UNGASS outcome document. Canada’s approach aligns with the strategy set out in the 2016 document. focussing on determining the social access to health includes the development of youth development programmes across Canada. It is a public health concern that Canada will continue to work towards. We are working to improve access to treatment service. In 2018 we committed 150 million dollars to improve access to evidence-based treatment services. Include the development of a national guideline that responds to the opioid crisis and reducing the stigma of people who use drugs. Harm reduction is a comprehensive strategy that seeks to meet people where they are in their life right now to support individuals to live safer and healthier lives. Through our national strategy we have increases access to naloxone, passed the good Samaritans act and streamline the rules around communities that want to open national treatment services. The existence of stigma around people who use drugs is a major challenge that need to be reduced in order to keep people alive. Reducing this stigma is one of Canada’s key priorities. Th UNGASS document outlined the important of addressing the socio-economic factors of drug use.