It’s thrilling to take part in the 58th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND 2015) because we feel a lot of support from Member States for the vision of a drug-free world. And this year at CND 2015, we have had so much going on. I’ll tell you all about it in a separate blog post.
For now, I want to share with you the five points I addressed with regards to the panel discussion I participated in on Wednesday. The title of the panel discussions is pretty bureaucratic though:
Interactive discussion on high-level segments to be held during the special session of the General Assembly on the world drug problem in 2016:
(c) Cross-cutting issues: Drugs and Human Rights, Youth, Women, Children and Communities
- Addressing drugs-related issues in full conformity with the purposes and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant international law, including the three drug control conventions
- Drugs, Youth, Women, Children and Communities
IOGT International Statement on
Drugs and Human Rights, Youth, Women, Children and Communities
from March 11, 2015 (Check against delivery)
“Dear Chairman, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen good morning everyone.
It is an honor to address you today and it is a privilege I highly appreciate to be part of this important discussion.
Please allow me to start by saying that ”The Civil Society Task Force has invited me to participate in this discussion today based on my expertise in my field. However, because civil society views on this topic are broad and diverse, my statements should not be taken as representative of civil society as a whole. I hope that my input will open the door to broader discussions about these issues in the future.”
My organization works for the prevention and reduction of harm caused by alcohol and other drugs not because it is an end in itself but because harmful substances are obstacles to development, democracy, Human Rights and peace.
We work from the premise that social problems cannot be solved by military means. The militarization of so many aspects of society is worrying. There is too little peace in the world and there are too many wars, such as the “war on want”, the “war on drugs”, and the “war on poverty”.
This matters for our discussion because drug-policy development, including the UNGASS 2016 process, is currently hampered by a focus on the false dichotomy of drug legalization and decriminalization on the one hand and fighting an endless, unwinnable war-on-drugs on the other hand.
It is my distinct honor to share with you today the five perspectives of our Member Organizations concerning drugs and human rights:
1) The 3rd way in drug policy – delivering on the full potential of UN Conventions
Such a polarized debate is counterproductive for the development of broad, balanced and humane drug policies, for three reasons:
a) It dramatically shrinks the policy space between the portrayed extremes, limiting the discussion to only a few options and eliminating a range of useful alternative approaches, for example a Child Rights-centered approach.
b) It constrains the many nuances normally present in policy discussions and promotes simplistic solutions; and thirdly
c) It wrongly identifies many effective prevention interventions as part of the meaningless ”war-on-drugs” policy argument.
In reality, plenty of middle ground exists. We call it the third way. It offers a wide variety of effective policy options. Their support or implementation requires no fundamental changes in UN Drug Conventions or in most national legislation. As a matter of fact, the global community has not yet managed to live up to the potential of the policy space that the UN Conventions offer – the third way is our best chance to finally do so.
2) A Child Rights-centered approach
The CRC is the first international instrument to explicitly recognize children as social actors and active holders of their own rights, on the basis of their special needs for protection. Protection against drugs is clearly a Human Rights issue and a universal obligation for governments.
The primacy and universality of the Best Interest principle stipulated by the CRC means that general drug policy-making shall be child-centered – as opposed to adult-centered or user-centered. The CRC stipulates comprehensive measures to protect children. A comprehensive multi-sectorial effort is called for.
A Human Rights-based approach to drug policy development empowers governments to create enabling environments for protecting children from drug use. For this to happen the most conducive policy goal is to ensure a drug free society.
We urge governments to live up to the CRC and make the Best Interest of the child a primary consideration in all policy making that affects children, even in areas that at first might seem to have nothing to do with children.
3) Women in focus – for mutually reinforcing gender-sensitive policies
Women are especially vulnerable to drug-related harm – far too often, simply because they are women. More often than not, women are taking care of the family. More often than not, women are mothers – and so drug use is putting them, their children and families in danger. Many examples can be named and billions of stories be told, of structural inequality harming women and girls.
Drug policy development needs to be in line with the UN Human Rights infrastructure. This matters, among others, for:
- Women with a past of abuse during their own childhood, that makes them more susceptible to drug use,
- Mothers with drug-related problems avoiding treatment and rehabilitation because of fear of losing their children, and because they are exposed to stereotypes and stigma in the legal justice as well as the public health systems,
- Women with HIV/ Aids infections,
- Or women who are unable to take part in prevention programs that would serve to empower and protect them.
It is these women that the Beijing Declaration from 1995 means, when it stipulates “mutually reinforcing gender-sensitive policies and programs to Empower and Advance women.”
It is these women that drug policy development needs to see and needs to cater to.
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action do provide for a Human Rights-based approach to drug policy.
We urge governments to deliver on their promises made 20 years ago in Beijing, for example with regards to Strategic objective C.2. Strengthen preventive programmes that promote women’s health and with regards to Strategic objective L.3. Promote and protect the rights of the girl child and increase awareness of her needs and potential.
4) Human Rights for all – Hearing the silent majority in developing societies
The World Drug Report 2014 estimates that approximately 95% of the world’s population between the ages of 15 and 64 did not use any illicit drugs in 2012. This global reality reflects that a large majority of humans reject the risks associated with drug use.
An approach to drug policy in line with the UN Human Rights infrastructure needs to ensure the rights, needs and interests of the global, silent majority are well-taken care of. Evidently, a vast silent, global majority chooses to live free from drug-related harm.
The silent majority, especially children and women as well as communities in developing societies certainly deserves this approach. In the context of the discussion here today, we should admit: Development perspectives need greater prominence in global drug policy discussions, including in the UNGASS 2016 process – and with the Post-2015 process, there is a chance to link this discussion with other on-going process within the UN System.
Use of harmful substance use has stronger negative consequences for poor and marginalized people than for those in more affluent groups. Simply stated, the poor and marginalized people of the world need no additional burdens beyond the considerable ones they already bear.
We urge governments to put a high priority on assuring that substance use in developing countries does not increase to the levels that exist in Western countries and that the corresponding harms from substance use do not reach similar high levels.
5) It’s possible: Empowering people with Human Rights-based drug policy
Preventing problems from occurring or expanding represents by far the best approach to reducing drug-related harm. The “Prevention-first” approach holds four major benefits:
- It is the most cost-effective, the most sustainable, the most humane policy option and it is the most people-empowering.
A focus on using the full potential of the UN Drug Conventions, the CRC, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and other relevant parts of the UN Human Rights infrastructure do provide substantial guidance and latitude for countries seeking to design broad, balanced and humane drug policies that empower people.
We urge governments to follow UNICEF’s Child Protection Strategy 2009, which has determined prevention as the first priority for child protection. It becomes clear that the first objective of a public health-oriented drug policy is to prevent drug-related problems from occurring.
Whole-population strategies that discourage drug use and reduce the availability of drugs are a central element of prevention.
Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
Please, allow me to conclude my remarks with the following three points:
There is a need for a comprehensive approach to drug-related harm, with a strong focus on prevention and early intervention, as well as control measures, health services, treatment and rehabilitation for users. Such a comprehensive approach is best positioned to protect especially vulnerable groups, like communities with lower socio-economic status, women, adolescents and youth and the world’s children. The UN Human Rights infrastructure of which I have cited crucial paragraphs and sections here, provides a powerful framework whose potential has not yet been fully realized.
I thank you for your attention and for consideration of these points.”
END
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Sources and evidence for our positions
Dahlgren & Stere (2012) The Protection of Children from Illicit Drugs – A Minimum Human Rights Standard. A Child- centered vs. a User-centered Drug Policy
Download as PDF here.
Dahlgren & Stere (2010) The right of children to be protected from Narcotic drugs and Psychotropic substances. A Human Right/ International law perspective.
Download as PDF here.
Start with prevention – the most effective way to reduce drug harm (2015) Booklet by FORUT – Campaign for Develop- ment and Solidarity
Download as PDF here.
Download our material for free
You can download the IOGT International Statement from the Interactive discussion on high-level segment: Five Points: Illicit Drugs and Human Rights Issues
You can also download the IOGT International Slides attached to the Statement: Slides 4 CND2015 Statement_ HR & Drugs policy
IOGT International Narcotic Drugs Policy
IOGT International Booklet on Illicit Drugs & Child Rights:
WHAT’S GOOD FOR THE CHILDREN IS GOOD FOR THE WORLD. A Child Rights-centered approach to prevention of drug-related harm
The Canadian federal government has this past month voted to legalize marijuana for the domestic market, placing marijuana plants in the homes of Canadian children, allowing those 12 years of age and older to possess 5 grams, and 18 and over to possess 30 grams.
They did not conduct a risk assessment on the impact this legislation will have on children, and human rights of those that do not use – nor will use if and when the drug is made legal. They did not put children’s rights first nor did they consult Unicef Canada, or other children related groups, nor did they hear from any young persons at their committee level. They excluded those who could have spoken on the science that
clearly establishes the many health harms associated with marijuana and focused very much on the judicial system and changes to the Criminal Code of Canada. Their legislation is in breach of The Rights of the Child specifically but not limited to article 33 and 9. Placing children in the direct line of second hand smoke also is in violation of their right to security of person. This bill is now in the Canadian Senate and it must be reported to the UNODC and complaints filed – by international organizations and government’s if Canadian children are to be protected. This is human rights issue and the Canadian government must be held responsible for this reckless change in terms of drug policy.