Reflection on the UN general assembly special session on drugs - one year on

Drugs and Alcohol Today,Volume 17, Issue 2, June 2017. Purpose A reflection one year on on how the UNGASS event unfolded and its impacts and longer term implications. Design/methodology/approach Consideration of relevant past and present documentation and commentary. Experiences as a participant at some of the events described. Findings UNGASS was called for by countries affected by the failings of the existing conventions who wanted to introduce reformed alternative policies. Representatives of the status quo who opposed such change were partially successful in retaining some aspects of the prohbition approach and in minimising dissent and debate. Research limitations/implications Some decision-making discussions were not open to all potential participants - governmental, regional and civil society, including the author. Practical implications The wider debate prompted by the UNGASS indicated a break down in the previous consensus around the prohibition and punitive paradigm of the internationla conventions. Originality/value The paper presents an account of the UNGAS and pre-UNGASS proceedings from the point of view of a reform minded participant.

Source: Drugs and Alcohol Today - April 28, 2017 Category: Addiction Source Type: research