The Fatal Myth of a Drug-Free World
Last week's United Nations High Level Summit on Drugs produced a watered-down political declaration that fails to acknowledge crucial lessons learned over the past decade. Unless the futile policies of the past, aimed at the unattainable goal of a "drug-free world," change quickly, millions of people will continue to suffer and die.
VIENNA – Negotiations at the United Nations High Level Summit on drugs in Vienna last week fell flat. Although 25 countries officially stated their support for proven methods such as needle exchange and overdose prevention, the summit’s outcome was a watered-down political declaration that fails to acknowledge crucial lessons that have been learned over the last decade.