News & Announcements
Report Examines UN's Approach to Harm Reduction
Timed for release alongside this week's meeting of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, a new report by the Transnational Institute (TNI) analyzes the UN system's often conflicted approach to harm reduction.
In response to U.S. government pressure to cut funding to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime unless the agency abstains from supporting harm reduction, the report makes the following recommendations:
- Unless governments defend harm reduction practices, the few good lessons learned in drug policy making and methods proven to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS might be in danger.
- Countries with longstanding experience with harm reduction practices and that are less vulnerable to U.S. pressure—Europe, Canada, and Australia—have a particular responsibility. The price for avoiding confrontation will be paid in Asia, Latin America, and the former Soviet Union.
- Tensions in U.S.-UNODC relations should be resolved by more sustainable funding mechanisms.
The complete text, "The United Nations and Harm Reduction," can be downloaded from the TNI website: http://www.tni.org.
