1. Building International Drug Policy
Consensus and Conflict –
the 2010 Commission on Narcotic Drugs

2. What is the Commission? governing body of UNODC
53 members, all other states observers
reports to ECOSOC
advises on all aspects of the control of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors
meets annually
normative and operational segments

3. Main Elements of the Agenda
Reports on the world drug situation
illicit production, supply and cultivation
drug demand reduction
money laundering and judicial cooperation
Implementation of the drug control treaties
Follow-up to the 2009 High Level Segment
Thematic debate
Policy directives to and governance of UNODC

4. What Happened in 2010? Cynical response: More considered response:
nothing, it was just business as usual
More considered response:
at some levels no change
at some levels important developments
at some levels an emerging debate exploring areas of disagreement

5. No Change:
The Treaties remain the cornerstone of international drug control
No interest or desire to move to a licit market
Focus remains firmly on preventing illict production, supply and use

6. Developments: Increased focus on health and human rights
Greater attention on access to and availability of essential medicines
Consensus on resolutions concerned with drug prevention and access to HIV/AIDS treatment and care
Higher profile for the role of civil society

7. Areas of Disagreement:
Cohesion between different UN bodies with relevant mandates
Interpretation of the UN Treaties
The acceptability of specific interventions
The evidence base for specific interventions

8. Areas still needing attention:
Effective measures to reduce illicit cultivation, production and supply
Universal access to prevention
Universal access to recovery
Universal access to development
Adequate financing to support these measures

9. Need to: But Share a common goal
Recognise the balance of actions will vary from region to region and between countries in the same region
We know far too little of what works or of the problem we are dealing with
A wide range of interventions need to be available to reach the goal and to protect, serve and support communities and individuals