Resolution 54/11. Improving the participatory role of civil society in addressing the world drug problem

Recalling the Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem, in which Member States welcomed the important role played by civil society, in particular non-governmental organizations, in addressing the world drug problem, and noted that representatives of affected populations and civil society entities, where appropriate, should be enabled to play a participatory role in the formulation and implementation of drug demand and supply reduction policy,

Recognizing that the responsibility for addressing the world drug problem rests with Member States, while civil society has an important participatory role in addressing the multidimensional aspects of this problem,

1. Encourages Member States to ensure that civil society plays a participatory role, where appropriate, through consultation, in the development and implementation of drug control programmes and policies, in particular with regard to aspects of demand reduction;

2. Also encourages Member States to cultivate an environment that promotes innovation and to take into account promising approaches taken by civil society to assist Governments in their efforts to address the world drug problem, provided that such approaches are in conformity with the international drug control conventions, are based on scientific evidence, are in accordance with relevant human rights obligations and are carried out with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States, including the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of States;