Resolution 58/5. Supporting the collaboration of public health and justice authorities in pursuing alternative measures to conviction or punishment for appropriate drug-related offences of a minor nature

Recalling General Assembly resolution 69/192 of 18 December 2014, in which the Assembly recommended that Member States continue to endeavour to reduce prison overcrowding and, where appropriate, resort to non-custodial measures as alternatives to pretrial detention, to promote increased access to justice and legal defence mechanisms, to reinforce alternatives to imprisonment and to support rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, in accordance with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Non-custodial Measures (the Tokyo Rules),

Noting that such alternative measures to conviction or punishment may normally be applied to drug-related offences of a minor, non-violent nature,

Recalling that the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 197136 and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 198837 establish, to varying degrees in specific situations, that States may provide, either as an alternative to conviction or punishment or in addition to conviction or punishment, that drug-using offenders should be offered measures such as treatment, education, aftercare, rehabilitation or social reintegration,

Recalling also that in the Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem38 it is stated that Member States should, working within their legal frameworks and in compliance with applicable international law, consider allowing the full implementation of drug dependence treatment and care options for offenders, in particular, when appropriate, providing treatment as an alternative to incarceration,

Noting the provision of a range of comprehensive health services for those affected by substance use disorders implemented through components of the justice system, for example screening and treatment for substance use disorders, prevention and treatment of overdose, recovery support services, prevention of and treatment for HIV, hepatitis and other infectious diseases, and mental health disorders, in order to minimize the negative public health and social impacts of substance use disorders,