UNIS/NAR/1475
26 June 2023

President of International Narcotics Control Board, Jallal Toufiq, highlights importance of putting people first on International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

26 June 2023

VIENNA, 26 June (UN Information Service) – This International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) is highlighting the importance of putting people first by promoting equality and non-discrimination towards people who use drugs and ensuring access to prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programmes.

As highlighted by the Board in a global issue in its 2022 Annual Report, national drug control policies must be fully consistent with internationally recognized human rights standards. This includes equality of treatment and protection against discrimination.

However, people who use drugs continue to be subject to discrimination and stigmatization. In line with Commission on Narcotic Drugs resolution 61/11, INCB calls upon governments to ensure that their national legislation, policies and practices do not discriminate on the ground of drug use or drug use disorders, in particular in the criminal justice system, and that they offer protection against discrimination by third parties.

INCB reiterates that the international drug control conventions require States parties to give special attention to, and take all practicable measures for, the prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration of all people affected by drug use disorders. Governments should work to ensure equality of access in the design and implementation of prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration programmes. In this regard, governments are encouraged to utilize the UNODC/WHO International Standards on Drug Use Prevention to guide their prevention efforts.

Prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration services should be evidence-based, be developed with the input of people who use drugs, be culturally appropriate, accessible to all and administered in a manner free from discrimination and stigmatization. These services should also be adapted to cultural and socioeconomic realities. INCB encourages governments to abolish policies that contribute to the stigmatization of drug use and drug use disorder.

INCB notes that, in many countries, marginalized groups such as women, children, migrants, refugees and minority and indigenous communities continue to be disproportionately affected by overly punitive responses to drug-related conduct. Governments are called upon to avail themselves of the possibility, provided for in those conventions, of applying alternative measures to conviction or punishment for minor offences, particularly if those offences have been committed by people who use drugs.

INCB encourages all States parties to the international drug control conventions to take all necessary measures to ensure that national drug control policies and drug use prevention policies offer protection against stigmatization and inequality of treatment.

Putting people first, strengthening prevention and ensuring that treatment and rehabilitation services are free of discrimination and stigma can directly improve the wellbeing of people who use drugs, their families and the wider community. It is also essential to ensure that national drug policies are free of discrimination and stigma to make progress on Sustainable Goal 3 on health and wellbeing and safeguard health and welfare, the ultimate objective of the three international drug control conventions.

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INCB is the independent, quasi-judicial body charged with promoting and monitoring Government compliance with the three international drug control conventions: the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Established by the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, the thirteen members of the Board are elected in a personal capacity by the Economic and Social Council for terms of five years. 

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For further information, please contact:

INCB Secretariat
Telephone for media inquiries: (+43-1) 26060 4163
Email:  incb.secretariat[at]un.org 
Website:  www.incb.org