Drug addiction is a serious health problem, leading to significant negative effects towards people and society. Many States have successfully adopted various national drug strategies, including primary prevention, early intervention, treatment, care, rehabilitation, recovery and social reintegration measures in minimizing the consequences of drug abuse.

Ambassador Sajdik commenced by emphasizing the issue of alternative development in tackling the drug problem in an integrated and balanced manner that respects dignity, solidarity, rule of law and human rights.He noted the importance of cooperation among civil society and non-governmental organizations in addressing the world drug problem. This would shape the post-2015 development agenda and the 2016 special session.

It is important to help farmers grow alternative crops to stabilize market and create decent jobs. We aim at promoting progress and peace”, said Ambassador Ban, the Secretary-General, in the video message. He agreed the negative impacts and side effects of drugs, and how it affects people’s lives and society. Mr. Fedotov stressed in his video message that good roads, reliable bridges and stable environments are equally important to farmers as crops and market place.

As the Executive Director of UNODC, he highlighted it is their goal to give farmers additional choices and move away from illicit drugs, this would allow them to live a life based equally on fairness and prosperity. Mr. Naidoo pointed out that the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) was mandated to monitor and promote the three international drug control conventions.

The global drug control system aims at providing medical and scientific use, and also prevents diversion to illicit channels, trafficking and abuse. Mr. Peñaranda reported on the progress in the alternative, integral and sustainable development program. He addressed the impact of alternative crops in reducing poverty and the promotion of economic development, leading to a suppression in drug trafficking.

Meeting Title: High-level panel discussion “Sustainable development and the world drug problem: challenges and opportunities”
Speakers: H.E. Oh Joon (Republic of Korea), Vice-President of the Council; H.E. Martin Sajdik (Austria), President of the Economic and Social Council; H.E. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations (via video message); Mr. Yury Fedotov, Executive Director, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) (via video message); H.E. Norachit Sinhaseni, Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations; Ms. Mary Chinery-Hesse, Commissioner, West Africa Commission on Drugs; Mr. Lochan Naidoo, President, International Narcotics Control Board (INCB); Mr. Aldo Lale-Demoz, Deputy Executive-Director, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; Mr. Alberto Otárola Peñaranda, Executive Director of DEVIDA
Location: ECOSOC, United Nations HQ, New York
Date: 15 July 2014
Written By WIT representative: Samantha Kong
Edited by Apurv Gupta