Harm reduction, drug use and the right to health | CND 2025 Session

Each year, the UNODC reports an estimated half a million drug-related deaths - deaths that could be prevented with well-funded harm reduction services and an enabling political and legislative environment that provides care and support for people who use drugs, instead of punishment. This side event was organised by the International Drug Policy Consortium.

This is also the main recommendation of the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in their landmark reports on drug-related issues. And yet, a global overview of harm reduction services around the world show that they continue to be inaccessible for many, direly underfunded, and at constant risk of being closed down - while a majority of countries continue to impose severe sanctions against people who use drugs. This side event will be an opportunity for Member States, UN officials and civil society and community representatives to reflect on this reality and discuss the urgent need for reforms.

Speakers:

00:00 Introduction by Gloria Lai, IDPC, Thailand
03:07 Opening remarks by Zaved Mahmood, OHCHR
10:30 Anand Grover, Former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health and member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, India: Comparative analysis of UNODC/UNSR’s interpretation of the right to health - especially expanding the concept of harm reduction, decriminalisation, legal regulation, and UN system reform (online)
21:52 Ahmed Said, African Network of People Who Use Drugs, Kenya: Person who uses drugs opens the session with a lived experience
30:10 Yuliya Georgieva, Center for Humane Policy, Bulgaria: Experience of successful advocacy for Bulgaria to fund harm reduction services
40:44 Q and A

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