bbc | The original briefing paper from UNODC in full. Sir Richard Branson who sits on the Global Commission On Drugs Policy has written a blog calling for all governments to implement the guidance contained in the unpublished paper.
"It's
exciting that the UNODC has now unequivocally stated that
criminalisation is harmful, unnecessary and disproportionate, echoing
concerns about the immense human and economic costs of current drug
policies voiced earlier by UNAIDS, the World Health Organisation, UNDP,
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Women, Kofi Annan and UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon," Sir Richard writes.
"I hope this
groundbreaking news will empower and embolden governments everywhere,
including the UK, to do the right thing and consider a different course
in drug policy."
In addition to calling on member states to
consider decriminalising personal possession and use, the UNODC paper
also suggests low-level dealing should not be criminal offence.
"Small
drug related offenses, such as drug dealing to maintain personal drug
use or to survive in a very marginalized environment, could be
interpreted as drug related offenses of a 'minor nature', as mentioned
in the international drug control conventions," the report says. "These
cases should receive rehabilitation opportunities, social support and
care, and not punishment."
The future of the document is unclear.
Sources within the UNODC suggest that there would need to be wide
consultation and agreement before the paper's recommendations became
formal policy.
