In 1998, the United Nations General Assembly convened a special session under the slogan, “A drug-free world — we can do it!” with the goal of prohibiting the use, production, possession and trafficking of all illegal drugs by 2008.
Eight years past that target date, UNGA held another special session on drugs, which civil society had hoped would be an opportunity not only for their voices to be heard but an opportunity for real drug policy reform.
But the latest special session was disappointing for many working in the field of harm reduction, public health and human rights. The adopted declaration doesn’t call for an end to criminalization, incarceration and capital punishment for drug-related offenses.
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About the author
Sophie Cousins
Sophie Cousins a Devex Contributor based in South Asia. She is a health journalist focused on women and girls. She was previously based between Lebanon and Iraq, focusing on refugee health and conflict. She writes for international medical journals, including The Lancet, and for international news websites such as the Guardian.
