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UN Drug control system

Weaknesses in the UN drug control system have often been identified, related to the functioning of the key organs UNODC, INCB, and the CND; related to collaboration with the wider UN system (WHO, UNAIDS, UNDP, etc.) and related to the outdated character of several treaty provisions. What has been attempted to date to achieve more structural reform? Are existing evaluation mechanisms capable of bringing the need for reform to the table? How could a neutral and evidence-based role of UNODC as a centre of expertise be strengthened? How can these issues be related to the UN call for more ‘system-wide coherence’ and ‘delivery as one’?
    Drugs on Latin America summit's agenda
    April 2012
    Martin Jelsma

    A critical rethink of the war on drugs features prominently on the agenda of the Cartagena summit. This provides opportunities to move forward but also faces several risks that could suffocate the remarkable yet incipient political opening of the drugs debate in Latin America.

    Towards revision of the UN drug control conventions
    March 2012
    Dave Bewley-Taylor

    Recent years have seen a growing unwillingness among increasing numbers of States parties to fully adhere to a strictly prohibitionist reading of the three principal UN drug control conventions.

    Series on Legislative Reform of Drug Policies Nr. 19
    The Limits of Latitude
    March 2012
    Martin Jelsma
     Dave Bewley-Taylor

    A growing number of nations are developing policies that shift away from the prohibition-oriented failed approach to drugs control. Ultimately however nations will need to reform the overall UN based global drug control framework of which practically all nations are a part.

    Series on Legislative Reform of Drug Policies Nr. 18
    Immediate release for Martin Barriuso and his two fellow activists
    November 2011
    Tom Blickman

    The arrest of Barriuso and two fellow activists of Pannagh is uncalled for. They should be released immediately.

    The urgent next steps in ATS and Harm reduction
    November 2011
    Tom Blickman

    Now is the time to implement low cost and simple harm reduction measures for amphetamine-type stimulant users.

    Treaty guardians in distress
    July 2011
    Martin Jelsma

    The guardian of the UN drug control treaties has proved unable to respond in a rational manner to the need for radical reform of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. 

    Bolivia Withdraws from the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs
    June 2011
    Drugs and Democracy

    The Bolivian government formally notified the UN Secretary General of its withdrawal from the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.

    Global Commission on Drug Policy Chair Responds to Release of UN’s 2011 World Drug Report
    June 2011

    The Global Commission on Drug Policy calls on the UN to break the taboo on vigorous debate about alternatives to the failed war on drugs.

    Global Commission on Drugs Policy calls for an end to the War on Drugs
    June 2011
    Drugs and Democracy

    The Global Commission on Drug Policy report that calls for an end to the "war on drugs" draws on TNI's research and supports many of the recommendations TNI
    has been promoting over the years.

    Time for a realistic new international drugs framework
    March 2011
    Tom Blickman

    It is time to face up to the fact that the 50 year old 1961 UN drugs convention is obsolete, impossible to amend and has lost its integrity.

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