International drug policy gets debated at the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs every year in Vienna, Austria. Now in its 69th session, this gathering brings together national leaders and advocacy groups, where they debate how best to address the global drug problem.
SAM’s CEO Kevin Sabet and EVP Luke Niforatos attended, with Kevin’s remarks there focusing on the necessity of prevention first and foremost as part of a comprehensive strategy against addiction.
The Commission on Narcotic Drugs, often called the CND, is described on its website as the “policymaking body of the United Nations system with prime responsibility for drug-related matters.” The CND oversees the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime and the adherence of nations to the three International Drug Control Conventions.
National leaders often make headlines for speaking at the CND. Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, was recently highlighted in The European Times for challenging the efficacy of decades of supply reduction efforts and said that “the kingpins of kingpins are untouched.”
Sara Carter, the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, spoke at the event and said, “under President Donald J. Trump’s leadership, we are saving lives and driving a stronger global response against the terror of drugs,” pointing to Operation South Spear and the apprehension of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro. She added that “this forum is an opportunity for the nations of the world to band together and combat not only narcotics, but criminal enterprises and their funding mechanisms, their allies in places of power, their disrespect for the law, and their terror over our citizens.”
Beyond the formal policymaking process of the CND, many nations and non-governmental organizations host “side events” at the CND, often outside of the eyes of the media. Smart Approaches to Marijuana, for example, hosted an event titled, “Lessons Learned from Marijuana Commercialization,” while the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse hosted one titled, “Cities on the Front Line: Municipal Leadership and Coordinated Responses to Synthetic Opioids.” The full agenda of events can be read here.
The side events help to gauge the future direction of drug policy, with ideas often being floated there before they are adopted by nations and perhaps later the CND. Through this lens, there will likely be continued tension globally between those who favor supply reduction or demand reduction, as well as those who favor prohibition or legalization.