Speaking at the ‘Dealing with Drugs II’ conference in Warsaw on Thursday, High Commissioner Volker Türk highlighted the urgent need for a human rights-based approach to drug regulation, pointing to a record number of drug-related deaths and rising drug use disorders.
Building on January’s ‘Dealing with Drugs I’ meeting hosted by the Mayor of Amsterdam, the conference brought together leaders and experts from across Europe and the world to share best practice and expertise.
“Criminalization and prohibition have failed to reduce drug use and have failed to deter drug-related crime. These policies are simply not working – and we are failing some of the most vulnerable groups in our society”.
Global drug crisis
The High Commissioner’s speech comes amid an increase in the production and distribution of illegal drugs.
In Afghanistan, despite a 2022 Taliban ban that initially reduced opium cultivation by 95 percent, 2024 saw a 19 percent resurgence driven by economic difficulties and rising prices. Meanwhile, North America is facing an unprecedented fentanyl crisis, with synthetic drugs claiming lives at an alarming rate across the United States and parts of Asia and Africa.
From punishment to support
He emphasized the need for a radical shift in approach that prioritizes health, dignity and inclusion.
“Instead of punitive measures, we need gender-sensitive and evidence-based drug policies, based on public health,” urged Mr. Turk. He also called for “inclusive access to voluntary medical care and other social services”, stressing that harm reduction measures are essential to prevent drug overdose deaths.
A key element of the reform, declared Mr. Türk, is decriminalization. “We need to start treating the person, not punishing the substance use disorder”, advocating social reintegration support to accompany political change.
The High Commissioner pointed to clear evidence supporting this approach: “Focusing on inclusion and education rather than incarceration means that drug use decreases. Choosing social reintegration over stigma means that drug-related infections decrease”.
Prioritizing people
At the center of the policy development, Mr. Türk the importance of focusing on the people most affected by the current drug policies.
“Historically, people who use drugs have been marginalized, criminalized, discriminated against and left behind – very often stripped of their dignity and their rights,” he noted.
“We are doomed to failure unless we ensure their genuine participation in formulating and implementing drug policy”.
“The evidence is clear. The so-called War on Drugs has failed, completely and utterly,” concluded Mr Türk. “And prioritizing people over punishment means more lives are saved”.
