Historic opportunity for the UN: revising the rules for global drug policy
The Institute for the Rational Addiction Policies joins the call on the UN Secretary-General to use his mandate to play an active role in shaping an independent review of the UN's international drug regime.
Prague, May 28, 2025 - Historic opportunity for the UN: revising the rules for global drug policy
The Institute for the Rational Addiction Policies joins the call on the UN Secretary-General to use his mandate to play an active role in shaping an independent review of the UN's international drug regime. This call, initiated by the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), comes at a historically unique moment when space is finally opening up for a deep systemic rethink of the global approach to drugs.
As an analytical and research platform, we have long highlighted the disconnect between drug policy goals and their real-world impacts. A global regime based on control and repression often fails both in terms of effectiveness (in curbing the illicit drug market) and in terms of societal costs. The impact of this approach is borne primarily by vulnerable populations, while states incur huge costs in justice, security and health. There is a lack of emphasis on prevention, treatment, harm reduction and the promotion of health and social inclusion.
In the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to which the UN is committed, it is clear that the current paradigm of repressive drug policy is at odds with the goals of health, equity, peace and justice. A review of the international drug regime is therefore not only factually correct but also necessary in terms of the UN's commitments.
It will be important that the expert panel to lead this review has representation from experts with deep knowledge of human rights, public health and development cooperation. The participation of affected communities and the presence of data, research and scientific evidence as a basis for formulating recommendations will also be key.
