The 59th session of the CND took place from 14- 22 March 2016 in Vienna, Austria. The CND meets each year to discuss the global state of drug control and adopt resolutions to guide the way forward.
This year’s Commission of Narcotic Drugs was particularly important as it was the final meeting before the UNGASS, which will take place from 19-21st April 2016. Recovered users Network organised a series of side events in collaboration with partners, members and member states within the official programme.
Side Events:
Roads to Recovery:Organized by the Government of the US, the UNODC Drug Prevention and Health Branch, the WHO and the Civil Society Task Force . The speakers included Mr Yury Fedotov Executive Director of UNODC, Michael Botticelli Director of National Drug Control Policy at the White House, Vladimir Poznyak Coordinator of Department of Mental Health and Substance abuse at the WHO and Boro Goic Chair of RUN who presented the overall final results of the Global Civil Society Consultations. The event aimed to highlight quality standards for the treatment of drug use disorders and importance of recovery oriented drug policies.
Families and Drugs: RUN, EURAD, San Patrignano, UNICRI and WFAD. organized a side event on Families and Drugs. The speakers included Monica Barzanti from San Patrignano, Libby Cataldi, author of the book “Stay Close; a mother’s story of her son’s addiction, Veronica Risch from the Dutch foundation Addicted to You as well as Dr. Cindy J. Smith, Director of UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute. The speakers highlighted the serious impact of drug use for families and close friends and emphasized the need for families to get support and be involved. The event was moderated by Chair of RUN, Boro Goic.
Recovery Models: Organized by the Turkish Green Crescent Society, RUN and the Christian Center for Help and Rehabilitation of Addicts and their Families “Stijena”.
Exhibition:
RUN and EURAD organized an exhibition in Vienna International Centre (VIC) entitled “Recovery can, will and does happen!”. This exhibition was co-sponsored by 11 membersof Recovered Users Network and EURAD affiliates. The exhibition brought together 7 posters describing the way Recovery improves lives of individuals, families and communities.
