Treatment better than prevention — UN board

A United Nations-backed narcotics control board has strongly condemned extrajudicial responses to drug-related criminality.

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) urged governments to invest more in drug treatment and rehabilitation rather than just focusing solely on prevention.

In its latest report, the INCB revealed that only one in six people globally who needs help has access to drug treatment and rehabilitation services.

Even where treatment is available, the report said the quality is often poor or substandard.

“Our report shows that treatment of drug dependence is highly cost-effective and, most importantly, treatment of drug dependence should be seen as part of the ‘right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health,’ and as such, an element of the right to health,” INCB president Viroj Sumyai said.

The INCB is an independent quasi-judicial body that monitors implementation of three UN international drug control conventions.

The INCB emphasized the need to address the global gap in access to controlled narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medicinal and scientific purposes.

This “global pain divide” disproportionately impacts low- and middleincome countries, according to INCB.

The INCB noted that 2018 marks several anniversaries, including 70 years since the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Considered a “milestone document” by the UN, the declaration recognizes the inherent dignity of all human beings.

“In this context, INCB once again calls on countries to ensure that any drug control measures are in full compliance with international human rights standards and norms,” the INCB said.

“This includes protecting and guaranteeing the rights to health, the rights of alleged drug offenders, and drug users and ensuring proportional responses in dealing with drug offences, including abolishing the death penalty for drugrelated offences,” it added.

According to results of its 2015 national drug use survey, there were about 1.8 million drug users in the Philippines.