The resolution, entitled Promoting integrated and coherent systems of scientific evidence-based drug-related public health responses, was jointly tabled by Norway and Finland at this year’s meeting of the Commission of Narcotic Drugs.

‘The global drug situation is changing rapidly. The availability of illicit drugs is increasing, new and more potent substances are spreading, and the consequences particularly affect vulnerable groups,’ says Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre.

‘This resolution highlights the need for a holistic, knowledge-based and public health-oriented approach, which is fully in line with our Nordic priorities,’ says Vestre.

The use of illicit drugs is increasing across substance types in large parts of the world. This is happening in parallel with growing health risks linked to more potent substances, greater diversity of substances and the emergence of new psychoactive substances. Many countries are also experiencing drug-related violence, organised crime and corruption.

A Nordic public health approach

The resolution is based on a fundamental understanding that a comprehensive and balanced drug policy is best achieved from a public health perspective.

This means that prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, care, harm reduction and supply reduction are included and addressed as part of an integrated and coherent approach.

Measures included in such a model have been shown to be able to:

  • reduce drug use
  • reduce the burden of disease
  • reduce overdoses and deaths
  • weaken illicit markets
  • reduce violence, crime and reoffending

This approach aligns with the Government’s ambitions to be a clear voice in global health efforts and a reliable guide in steering global health work in the right direction.

Challenging negotiations – an important breakthrough

The Norwegian delegation at the Embassy in Vienna has led the negotiations together with Finland. The work has been demanding, including due to resistance to language on harm reduction, the Sustainable Development Goals, gender equality and stigma.

Perhaps most critically, the United States and Argentina cannot accept references to the WHO as an actor in international drug cooperation. The resolution therefore did not achieve consensus and went to a vote, with these two Member States voting against.

‘That the resolution nonetheless secured a majority, and includes language on harm reduction that has not previously been accepted, is a significant breakthrough,’ says the Minister of Health and Care Services.

‘I would also like to thank the vibrant and engaged civil society we have in Norway. Their efforts to promote precisely this policy are of very great importance, and I know that the cooperation is an inspiration for other countries.’