Resolution 70/182. International cooperation against the world drug problem (Omnibus Resolution)

Reaffirming that alternative development policies are an important component in enhancing development in States affected by, or in some cases at risk of, the illicit cultivation of crops used for illicit drug production and manufacture, and that they play an important role in national, regional and international development policies and in comprehensive policies of poverty reduction and cooperation,

6. Urges Member States to address the relevant socioeconomic factors that relate to the world drug problem through a comprehensive, integrated and balanced approach that incorporates drug policies in a broader socioeconomic and development agenda, in compliance with the three international drug control conventions;

9. Encourages Member States to consider alternatives to incarceration, noting that, in appropriate cases of a minor nature, States may provide, as alternatives to conviction or punishment, measures such as education, rehabilitation or social reintegration, as well as, when the offender is a drug abuser, treatment and aftercare;

10. Invites Member States to consider reviewing their drug sentencing policies and practices in order to facilitate collaboration between justice and public health authorities in the development and implementation of initiatives that utilize alternative measures to conviction or punishment for appropriate drug-related offences of a minor nature, subject to the legal frameworks of Member States;

14. Encourages Member States to develop and implement, as appropriate, comprehensive policies and programmes that, by fostering social development, are aimed at the prevention of crime and violence and that address the multiple factors that contribute to marginalization, crime and victimization, in close cooperation with relevant stakeholders, including civil society, and based on scientific evidence and taking into account good practices;

22. Notes with concern that the availability and accessibility of internationally controlled drugs for medical and scientific purposes, particularly for the relief of pain and for palliative care, remains low to non-existent in many countries of the world, and highlights the need for Member States, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the International Narcotics Control Board, in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the World Health Organization, as appropriate, to address that situation by promoting measures to ensure their availability and accessibility for medical and scientific purposes, in accordance with national legislation, while simultaneously preventing their diversion, abuse and trafficking, in order to realize the aims of the three international drug control conventions and other relevant international instruments;

33. Recognizes: (…) (d) That such crop control strategies should be in full conformity with article 14 of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 15 and appropriately coordinated and phased in accordance with national policies in order to achieve the sustainable eradication of illicit crops and the creation of alternative legal livelihood opportunities and facilitate long-term development, noting furthermore the need for Member States to undertake to increase long-term investment in such strategies, coordinated with other development measures, in order to contribute to the sustainability of social and economic development and poverty eradication in affected rural areas, taking due account of the traditional licit uses of crops where there is historical evidence of such use and giving due consideration to the protection of the environment;

52. Emphasizes the important role that civil society plays, in particular non-governmental organizations, in addressing the world drug problem, notes with appreciation their important contributions, and notes 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;

53. 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;