The 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), took place in Vienna from 14–22 March 2024, including the high-level segment (14–15 March) which aimed to review progress made in the implementation of international drug policy commitments. The high-level declaration on the mid-term review of the implementation of international drug policy commitments was adopted by the CND.
In his video remarks during the high-level meeting, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, highlighted the 600 000 deaths which occur each year from the non-medical use of psychoactive drugs, primarily due to viral hepatitis, HIV and overdose. These deaths are a tragedy for the individual, their families and their wider community. But through evidence-based approaches to prevention, harm reduction, and treatment, deaths from the non-medical use of psychoactive drugs can be prevented.
Dr Tedros also underscored the indispensable role of controlled substances such as opioid and psychotropic medicines in pain management, palliative care and treatment for mental, neurological and substance use disorders. However, access to these medications and treatment of drug use disorders, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, remains limited. WHO will continue to highlight the barriers faced by individuals who use drugs in accessing necessary care. These barriers are exacerbated by stigma, discrimination and punitive policies which prioritize criminal sanctions over public health needs.
During the CND 67th session, WHO recommendations on the international scheduling of psychoactive substances were endorsed by Member State votes.
WHO also organized a side event in which different technical activities undertaken by WHO in addressing the world drug problem were described. WHO also co-sponsored and participated in several other side events organized by Member States, including one on access to controlled medicines, social and health services to address substance use disorders, and the international response to synthetic drugs and their precursors. The latter side event highlighted the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drugs Threats, a diplomatic effort to bring global attention and strengthen action to confront the public health threats posed by synthetic drugs (including fentanyl, methamphetamine and other new and emerging psychoactive substances). An informal dialogue with WHO was also organized by the Vienna NGO Committee, in which representatives of civil society organizations could interact with WHO staff and ask the questions of their interest. Several resolutions were adopted by CND which, inter alia, invited UNODC, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and WHO to strengthen and improve their inter-agency cooperation.
WHO remains committed to working with the Member States, INCB, UNODC, civil society and other partners to find solutions that protect health and which are evidence-based and grounded in human rights.
