The United Nations Review of Global Policy on Illegal Drugs: An Advocacy Guide for Civil Society

In the first half of 2009, the political representatives of all national governments gathered in Vienna to decide a way forward for the management of the international drug control system. The outcome of this meeting, and the process of review and preparation that precedes it, was the subject of fierce debate, as many member states were questioning the value of a continuing reliance on law enforcement and supply reduction to resolve drug problems, and were pushing for a greater emphasis on policies and programs that focus on the health and social consequences of drug markets and drug use.

Civil society organizations around the world were considering how best to get involved with this process, and influence its outcome. This advocacy guide had been produced by the International Drug Policy Consortium, a grantee of the Global Drug Policy Program, to give NGOs information on how the process is unfolding, and ideas on how they can engage in effective advocacy.

This version of the guide was produced in June 2008. It provides a background to the review process, an examination of the weaknesses of existing structures and strategies, and a brief introduction to the issues that we will be focusing on as the review process continues.

The publication is available below in English, Chinese, Farsi, French, and Russian.

Relevant drug policy publications are almost nonexistent in languages other than English. With the help of leading experts, the Open Society Foundations Global Drug Policy Program is publishing key documents in translation.

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