Despite the evidence in favor of following a health and human rights-based approach to drugs, punitive responses are still prioritized globally, and public health policies are still not discussed together with policies on drug control. The upcoming high-level segment of the 67th session of the CND will focus on the 2024 Midterm Review, to assess progress in the implementing international drug policy commitments outlined in the 2019 Ministerial Declaration.
Political leaders across the world are calling for evidence-based alternative to be debated, explored and implemented, which should include assessing the impacts of current drug control policies in all their complexity and exploring cost-effective and rights-based health services and harm reduction interventions, and invest in programs that prioritize health, community and justice.
Read insights from parliamentarians participating in the campaign: Hon. Ricardo Baptista Leite, UNITE’s President and Founder, from Portugal; Hon. Daniel Molokele from Zimbabwe; Hon. Halldóra Mogensen from Iceland, Hon. Éctor Jaime Ramírez Barba from Mexico, Hon. Sophia Moermond from Australia and Senator Gustavo Rivera from the USA.
UNITE’s advocacy campaign Join your delegation calls for the inclusion of parliamentarians in their national delegations to multilateral fora, such as the CND, given their roles in law-making, budgeting and oversight.
Members of Parliament can hold government agencies and officials accountable for their actions related to drug policy implementation, to ensure they protect health and human rights. MPs also have the power to influence the allocation of government funds, ensuring that adequate resources are directed towards healthcare services and harm reduction programs. As part of the campaign, parliamentarians are encouraged to use this letter template to urge governments to make concrete pledges ahead of the CND’s High-Level Segment. Explore our campaign briefing to learn why and how to get involved.
