FORUT representative to speak at UNGASS

The meeting at the UN in New York will take place from 19-21 April.

“We are privileged to get a chance to address the UNGASS-meeting”, says Endal. He is one of six civil society speakers in the meeting, selected from more than 250 non governmental organisations (NGOs) that made submissions. “Our message will be a simple one: We have enough of word, now is the time for action. Prevention and mobilization of local communities around the world is necessary to address the global drug problem.”

Following three years of preparation the UN Member States will meet at the special session. These are held occasionally on different topics, and this year the topic is the World Drug Problem.

FORUT has been involved in the preparatory work over the last three years, related to the work in the Alcohol, Drugs and Development program. Says Endal: “our role has been as an advocate for prevention. This is the most effective, the most humane and the most cost effective way to reduce the drug problem.”

The nexus between drug problems and international development has naturally been at the forefront of FORUT’s focus. Endal explains that the drug debate, particularly in the NGO sector, has been dominated by Western, and American, problems and approaches. He is encouraged to see that gradually development issues have increased in significance during the run up to the UNGASS-meeting. “Still there are hundreds of millions of poor people around the globe who can ill afford drug use as another burden.”

Civil Society has for the last three years followed the UNGASS process closely and been enabled to contribute to the discussions through conferences, hearings and meetings. The NGO contributions have been coordinated through the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs and a special committee.

Find more information at the UNGASS website. Here you can also follow the deliberations through the three days.