'War against drugs' has failed miserably, says Volker Turk

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk stressed the urgent need for a human rights-based approach to drug regulation, speaking at the second conference on combating drugs in Warsaw, Poland, on Thursday. In his statement, he also pointed to the record number of drug-related deaths and the increase in drug use disorders. The first conference on this topic was organized by the mayors of Amsterdam in January 2024, and this second conference will also further the discussion on the same topic. Increases. The conference brought together leaders and experts from Europe and the world to share best practices and expertise. Volker Turk said, “Measures to decriminalize and decriminalize the use of drugs will help prevent drug-related crimes. Have failed. These policies are simply not working – and we are failing to help the most vulnerable groups in our societies.” Global Drugs CrisisThis warning from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volcker is particularly relevant at a time when the production and An increase in distribution has been recorded. In Afghanistan, despite a ban on opium cultivation by the Taliban in 2022, opium production is expected to increase by 19 percent in 2024. Increase was observed. The Taliban ban initially resulted in a 95 percent reduction in opium cultivation. Meanwhile, North America is facing an unprecedented drug crisis, with synthetic drugs threatening the United States and parts of Asia and Africa. From punishment to support, Volker Turk stressed the need for a transformative shift to an approach that prioritizes health, dignity and inclusion. He urged, “We need gender-sensitive and evidence-based drugs policies, based on public health, rather than punitive measures.” She also called for “inclusive access to voluntary medical care and other social services” and stressed Stating that to prevent deaths caused by excessive drug use, harm reduction measures are necessary. Volker Turk bluntly stated that a key element in reforming drug use "We need to start treating the individual, rather than punishing the drug use disorder," she said, advocating policy changes as well as social reintegration support. High Commissioner for Human Rights pointed to clear evidence supporting this view, saying that focusing on the inclusion and education of people who use drugs in society, rather than incarcerating them, would mean less drug consumption. It gets done. “Choosing social reintegration over stigma means drug-related infections are reduced.” Putting Humans First Volker Turk stressed the importance of focusing on those most affected by current anti-drug policies. He stressed, “Historically, people who use drugs have often been marginalized in society, treated as criminals, discriminated against, and marginalized. are abandoned – often stripped of their dignity and their rights." Volker Turk said, "Unless we ensure their genuine participation in drug policy making and implementation, we are on course to fail He said, "The evidence is clear. The so-called war on drugs has completely failed, and prioritizing human beings, rather than punishing, means more lives will be saved."


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