Promoting Drug Prevention Through Rehabilitation and Treatment

Following the International Narcotics Control Board’s (INCB) Annual Report, the United Nations (UN) has provided new guidance for governments combating drug prevention. [1] The INCB is an independent board made up of individuals from different nations.[2] The organization assists the UN in the enactment of drug control policies.[3]The newly published report recommends that to continue these efforts, countries should focus on drug rehabilitation and treatment to prevent drug abuse. [4] The report states that about 16% of individuals in the world who require drug treatment can obtain this service. [5] It also highlights that the majority of countries do not have a budget in place for drug rehabilitation.[6] Although this statistic predominantly includes countries with low-income economies, the INCB emphasizes that these programs are indeed cost effective. [7]

The INCB also recommends closely monitoring certain populations, including women, migrants, and refugees.[8] The report notes that there has been an increase in drug usage among women around the world. [9] Specifically, when compared to men, the report adds that women are more likely to use prescription opioids and tranquilizers.[10] The report also highlights challenges unique to migrant and ethnic minorities that make these groups more susceptible to drug use disorders.[11] These challenges include socioeconomic inequality, traumatic experiences, and mental health problems that may result from these traumatic experiences. [12]

The report refers to the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural rights, which sets out the right to health, and notes that drug treatment should be considered an element to the right to health as treatment promotes the physical and mental well-being of those who are affected by drug dependence.[13] The report offers several recommendations that states should consider in addressing the issue of drug prevention. [14] These suggestions include increasing research that studies new interventions, offering health insurance benefits to individuals undergoing treatment for drug usage, and assessing local needs and allocating national resources to treatment and rehabilitation.

This post is a student blog post and in no way represents the views of the Fordham International Law Journal.