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Great job! 21. apr. 2016 16:28 skrev "Lynne Magor-Blatch" <[log in to unmask]>: > I am grateful for the support of the Civil Society Task Force, the NGO > sector inEurope and Australia for the support this week to attend the > United Nations General Assembly Special Sitting (UNGASS) on the World Drug > problem. > > My involvement was with Roundtable 1 - addressing issues of Demand > Reduction. The following is my statement, presented on behalf of civil > society - > > Mr Chair and distinguished representatives, my name is Lynne Magor-Blatch, > I am here as a representative of civil society and from Australia, and I > thank you for the opportunity to speak on this important topic. > > 1. There is a need for a policy and resources shift away from law > enforcement and prohibition as the primary response, to prevention, early > intervention and treatment. It should be easier for someone to enter > treatment for their drug addiction than it is to end up in prison. Shame, > stigma and discrimination must be addressed, both in relation to drug users > themselves, and importantly, in relation to their families and the > community. Many families suffer a range of discriminations – they are too > often blamed, and their own needs are consequently overlooked. If stigma > and discrimination are not addressed, marginalisation will continue, even > after the person’s reintegration into the community. > > 2. Almost 50% of people with substance use disorders also suffer from > a mental illness and many have physical health problems which are > untreated, and which put them at further health risk. This firmly places > substance use in the realm of health, rather than as a criminal concern. > Treating the underlying issues which have led to the use of substances is > of primary importance - and that means recognising the myriad of family, > social, intergenerational and psychological factors which contribute to the > use of substances. Providing appropriate evidence-based and quality > treatment responses to address these concerns is essential. In this regard, > civil society is pleased to note the inclusion of access to essential > medicines included in the outcome document. > > 3. We have already heard from others about the importance of the > rights of the child in terms of protection from trafficking and early > exposure to drug use. For this to be successful we need to end criminal > sanctions for drug use and develop better partnerships between health and > criminal justice systems. This means considering a range of diversionary > processes from the criminal justice system, and other measures which > includes support to families to cease drug abuse and to promote family > reunification. > > This I know from my own personal professional experience and research > evidence. > > Children have the right to become the next generation of leaders, rather > than the next generation of drug users – and must be nurtured and > protected. In this context, early and primary intervention strategies must > be strengthened, recognising that children whose parents are involved in > drug use are at risk, and their needs must be addressed through early > intervention and support programs. > > 4. Primary prevention and education is far more than school drug > education. It includes intervening with vulnerable and at risk groups, > reducing inequality and providing opportunities, and honest and accurate > information. We need to increase health and help-seeking behaviour of > young people and develop the capacity of those services that are working in > these areas. > > 5. Finally, there needs to be a greater involvement of civil society > in decision making processes at UN and in all countries at every level – > international, national, regional and local, and at the centre of drug > policy. We need to also remember the many vulnerable small island > developing states, such as those in the Pacific, who have particular needs. > > 6. The involvement of civil society in all planning and implementation > processes is vital to the health, social and psychological outcomes for > all clients, their families, community and society. Including civil > society at all these levels provides the opportunity to bring many voices > together in a coordinated approach. This should start at the beginning of > the process and in the planning stages – not just at the end. If civil > society is included at the outset the final outcome will have the best > chance of success through a cooperative and collaborative approach. > > Thank you. > > > I have also attended a number of side events - and at one of these Rowdy > Yates spoke passionately about therapeutic communities - thank you Rowdy > for your ongoing championing of TCs in the world arena. > > My sincere appreciation to the CSTF, the NGO sector and others who > supported me in coming to UNGASS 2016. > > Kind regards, Lynne > > Lynne Magor-Blatch > Executive Officer, ATCA > > Email: [log in to unmask] > www.atca.com.au >