Health, Rights and Drugs
2019
This report, published by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) urges countries to strategically create and implement laws, policies, services, and support which will allow drug-users to live healthy and dignified lives. This population has been historically marginalized, often harassed, imprisoned, and denied services. Even after trying to combat drug use using harsher methods, nations have failed to reduce the size of the drug trade and the number of people using psychoactive substances. The report highlights how harm reduction has proven to be an effective, alternative solution, reducing the incidence of blood-borne infections, overall drug abuse, overdose deaths, HIV infections, and other harm. UNAIDS recommends countries implement harm reduction services, including needle-syringe programs, opioid substitution therapy, naloxone and safe consumption rooms; improve access to prevention, testing and life-saving treatment for transmissible diseases; protect and promote the human rights and dignity of drug-users; take action to end stigma and discrimination; and support, fund and empower communities and organizations using a people-centered approach.
Source:
Health, Rights and Drugs: Harm Reduction, Decriminalization and Zero Discrimination for People Who Use Drugs. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 2019. https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/documents/2019/JC2954_UNAIDS_drugs_report_2019.