Management of substance abuse

WHO Participation in the 54th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs

The fifty-fourth session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) was held in Vienna 21-25 March 2011. A number of resolutions were discussed and adopted on issues regarding drugs and crime. The WHO actively participated in this CND annual session and its related events and discussions.

During the meeting of the CND, the WHO presented an intervention regarding demand reduction and related measures for addressing an integrated and balanced strategy to counter the world drug problem. In addition to this, a resolution on promoting person-centred and rehabilitation- and reintegration-oriented strategies was passed that contained direct reference to the Joint UNODC-WHO programme on drug dependence treatment and care. Among the many other resolutions discussed, one was also passed regarding drug driving. The Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, in which the WHO is heavily involved, was mentioned in this resolution.

The UNODC and the WHO jointly organized a side-event in collaboration with the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs. The main discussion of this side-event was on universal access for drug dependence treatment and care. Presenters also spoke on bridging national and global initiatives and resources for communities to reduce drug-related harm. During this side event the WHO ASSIST package was released.

The WHO plans to strengthen its ongoing collaboration with the UNODC in drug demand reduction and reducing drug-related harm.

Joint UNODC WHO Programme

The Joint Programme on Drug Dependence Treatment and Care is an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Office for Drug Control (UNODC) that has already been launched in Albania, Haiti and Serbia. The programme aims to promote and support evidence-based and ethical treatment policies, strategies and interventions for drug use and dependence.

United Nations Office for Drug Control (UNODC)

UNODC is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime. Established in 1997 through a merger between the United Nations Drug Control Programme and the Centre for International Crime Prevention, UNODC operates in all regions of the world through an extensive network of field offices.

Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) established CND in 1946 as the central policy-making body of the United Nations in drug related matters. CND enables UN Member States to analyse the global drug situation, provide follow-up to the twentieth special session of the General Assembly on the world drug problem and to take measures at the global level within its scope of action. It also monitors the implementation of the three international drug control conventions and is empowered to consider all matters pertaining to the aim of the conventions, including the scheduling of substances to be brought under international control.

For more information, please contact:

Dr Vladimir Poznyak
Coordinator
Management of Substance Abuse
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Tel: +41 22 791 43 07
Fax: +41 22 791 48 51
Email: poznyakv@who.int

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