The 67th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotics Drugs (UN CND) was held in Vienna during the period March 14 to 22.
The conference had more than 2500 delegates attending from over 140 countries and the Programme contained over 140 Side Events in addition to the main Plenary topics discussed.
Philbert Johnson of Ghana, Chair of the CND at its 67th session, remarked that this was the biggest gathering of the Commission ever, with 140 Member States of the United Nations represented as well as representatives of 18 intergovernmental organizations, 141 non-governmental organizations, and nine UN entities.
During the 67th session of the CND, four resolutions were also adopted, covering topics including: alternative development; rehabilitation and recovery management programmes; improving access to and availability of controlled substances for medical purposes; and preventing and responding to drug overdose. The Commission also placed Twenty-three new substances/precursors under international control.
In addition, Antigua and Barbuda hosted one of the side events, titled – The importance of Developing National Drug Policies for Effective Programme Development. This event was convened on Wednesday. March 20, and was supported by the governments of Canada, El Salvador, Guyana, Uruguay, and the Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission of the Organization of American States (ES-CICAD/OAS). This event attracted over a hundred delegates from throughout the world.
Lt. Col Edward Croft, Director Office of National Drug Control and Money Laundering Policy, Antigua and Barbuda, introduced the event, which was moderated by Antonio Lomba, Chief of the Institutional Strengthening Unit (ES-CICAD/OAS).
Lt. Col Croft highlighted Monitoring and Evaluation of the country’s policy and the progress made during implementation.
Dr. Daniel Radio, Secretary General National Drug Board, Uruguay, stressed the importance of including comprehensive supportive services for persons with substance use disorders, while Ambassador Adam Namm, Executive Secretary ES-CICAD/OAS, shared what ES-CICAD does, presented the document “How to Develop a National Drug Policy” and stressed the importance of the Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism.
Eduardo Loyola, Executive Director National Anti-Drug Commission, El Salvador, addressed their policy development process and the key strategic lines of action, and finally, James Singh, Director Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit, Guyana, shared their policy development, approval, and successes in the first year of implementation.
