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The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) has urged the global community to reconsider punitive and criminal approaches to drug policy, declaring that the “war on drugs” has been a profound failure.
Speaking at a Warsaw conference that brought together experts and leaders from across Europe, Commissioner Volker Türk noted that current strategies have neither curbed drug use nor deterred drug-related crimes. He called for a shift toward evidence-based policies that center on human rights and prioritize compassion over punishment.
Türk argued that treating drug use as a criminal issue rather than a health matter has marginalized and discriminated against individuals struggling with substance use. He highlighted how punitive approaches often strip people of their rights and dignity, leaving them excluded from society.
According to Türk, these individuals should be included in the policy-making process to create strategies that genuinely reduce harm. Without their input, he warned, efforts to address drug-related issues are unlikely to succeed.
In a video shared on social media, Türk reiterated these views, condemning the destructive impact of punitive drug policies on individuals and communities worldwide. He noted that these policies have failed to address the root causes of drug use while exacerbating harm for those already at risk.
The Commissioner called for transformative solutions guided by the International Guidelines on Drug Policy and Human Rights. He advocated for evidence-driven, gender-sensitive measures rooted in public health, including voluntary access to social and healthcare services. Scapegoating and stigmatization, he emphasized, only deepen the challenges faced by individuals and communities affected by drug use.
Türk’s remarks align with a statement issued earlier by UN experts, working groups, and special rapporteurs. That statement criticized the war on drugs for contributing to severe human rights abuses documented by various UN entities. The experts called for a shift from punishment to support and urged governments to invest in evidence-based programs like prevention, harm reduction, and treatment. These efforts, they stressed, must adhere to human rights norms and prioritize community welfare.
The UN experts also referenced reports encouraging governments to move away from criminalization and adopt harm-reduction strategies. These include drug-checking services, supervised consumption areas, and the availability of naloxone and other overdose-reversal medications. The reports suggested that over-criminalization and stigma are significant barriers to achieving better health outcomes. By addressing these systemic issues, policymakers can develop more effective approaches to drug-related challenges.
Switching from prohibition to legalization and allowing companies like Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY) to operate can be a good beginning which can then be followed by other measures to undo the harms caused by prohibition policies.
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