After UNGASS – where do governments go from here?

Drugs and Alcohol Today,Volume 17, Issue 2, June 2017. Purpose To indicate the outcomes, implications and possibilities for responses arising from the April 2016 UNGASS meeting and statement. To identify areas for future continuation of the debate and dialoge established at UNGASS. Design/methodology/approach Practitioner and participant commentary on the implications and openings for governments and jurisdictions of a revised international policy framework. Findings The UNGASS statement represented an increased emphais on health and human rights considerations and a de facto flexibility of interpretation and implementation by national goovernments. The statement reconciled considerable differences of approach and expectation by the partiicpating governments and organisations. Future developments are identified and practical responses outlined. There has been some move away from rigid prohibition and authoritarian stances. Research limitations/implications The points made could be developed and expanded by academics and NGOs. Practical implications Future areas for continued international policy development and governments' activity are identified. Governments are encouraged to consider their national needs and priorities and the ways in which these can contribute to and be strengthened by and in the international conventions. Originality/value The paper represents an assessment of the outcomes and future potential for development of the international conventions. It is...

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