The 61 Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) took place last week, from 12 to 16 March 2018, in Vienna, Austria. The CND is the unique opportunity for all NGOs from the field to engage and organize different campaigns and side events, especially as many delegations of Member States attend the meeting.
Recovered Users Network (RUN) has organized our 3rd exhibition during the CND, entitled “Prevent, don’t promote- Mobilize communities- Rediscover recovery! “, which was displayed in the foyer of the Plenary room. This year’s campaign highlighted the importance of prevention and recovery-oriented policies, a person centred approach which focuses not only on removal of addiction, but rather covers all needs of an individual in treatment, and has a positive impact on families and communities, as well. The exhibition was co-sponsored by around 60 organisations as well as many major international networks spanning across many geographical areas and all continents, which included three main slogans and logos of all partner organisations.
RUN co-organized side event with our member San Patrignano, in collaboration with the UNODC, Dianova International and Member States within the official programme. The event had a goal to assess the situation in the drugs field since 1978, which includes drug addiction and recovery, and tried to examine what has changed and what remained the same.
The new “International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders” were presented and discussed at the side event hosted by UNODC and WHO where recovery movement can be partly satisfied. Recovery is mentioned but the approach to the drug problem should have been more balanced in terms of involvement of other experts apart from the medical doctors in a scientific committee.
RUN has also (re)joined the Civil Society Task Force (CSTF) and will be working towards the HLM 2019 as a representative of Affected Populations: Recovered Users. In our past involvement as a CSTF member working towards UNGASS2016, RUN has been able to shift the focus from the drug users alone, to recovered users as well and ensure that the best practices and lessons learned from recovery and social integration area are not forgotten.
By Mulka Nisic
