Speaking at the “Tackling Drugs II” conference in Warsaw on Thursday, High Commissioner Volker Türk highlighted the urgent need for a human rights-based approach to drug regulation, pointing to record numbers of drug-related deaths. drugs and an increase in drug use disorders.
The conference, which builds on the “Tackling Drugs I” meeting held in January and hosted by the Mayor of Amsterdam, brought together leaders and experts from across Europe and the world to share best practices and knowledge.
“Criminalization and prohibition have failed to reduce drug use or deter drug-related crimes. These policies are simply not working and we are failing some of the most vulnerable groups in our societies.”.
Global drug crisis
The High Commissioner's speech comes amid an increase in the production and distribution of illicit drugs.
In Afghanistan, despite the 2022 Taliban ban that initially reduced opium cultivation by 95 percent, 2024 saw a 19 percent resurgence driven by economic hardship and rising prices. Meanwhile, North America faces an unprecedented fentanyl crisis, with synthetic drugs claiming lives at an alarming rate across the United States and parts of Asia and Africa.
From punishment to support
He emphasized the need for a radical change of approach that prioritizes health, dignity and inclusion.
“Instead of punitive measures, we need evidence-based, gender-sensitive drug policies based on public health.” Mr. Türk urged. He also called for “inclusive access to voluntary health care and other social services,” and emphasized that harm reduction measures are essential to preventing drug overdose deaths.
A key element of the reform, Türk declared, is decriminalization. “We need to start treating the person, not punishing the drug use disorder.”, advocating for support for social reintegration to accompany policy changes.
The High Commissioner pointed to clear evidence supporting this approach: “Focusing on inclusion and education instead of incarceration means drug use falls. Choosing social reintegration instead of stigmatization means that drug-related infections decrease.”
Prioritize people
At the center of policy development, Mr. Türk highlighted the importance of focusing on the people most affected by current drug policies.
“Historically, people who use drugs are marginalized, criminalized, discriminated against and abandoned, very often stripped of their dignity and their rights,” he noted.
“We are destined to fail unless they ensure their genuine participation in drug policy formulation and implementation.”.
“The evidence is clear. The so-called War on Drugs has completely and absolutely failed,” Türk concluded. “And prioritizing people over punishment means more lives are saved.”
