High-level Segment of the 67th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs

Statement by denmark

On the occasion of the High-level Segmentof the 67th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs General Debate of the High-level Segment Check against delivery

Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I refer to the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union and its Member States – a statement fully supported by the Government of Denmark.
The Government of Denmark welcomes this High-level Segment as an opportunity for the Commission on Narcotic Drugs to assess the progress made in the implementation of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration and all international drug policy commitments – especially the commitments agreed upon in 2016 by the United Nations General Assembly in the Outcome Document of its Special Session on the World Drug Problem.
The world drug situation continues to challenge the health, safety and well-being of people who use drugs and society as a whole. And the challenges are increasing. Not least the number of drug-related deaths and the proportions of harm resulting from drug abuse are sources of concern.
Mr. Chair, please allow me to dwell on a few points that are essential to the achievement of progress.
Drug policies should be balanced and evidence-based.
Prohibition and control measures cannot stand alone.
Supply reduction should be balanced with a sharp focus on prevention, treatment and harm reduction, including reduction of drug-related deaths.
It must not be forgotten that the overall aims of drug policies are the health and welfare of human beings as well as the addressing of drug abuse and the harms resulting from drug abuse.

On this background, harm reduction measures have been introduced in Denmark and they have proved to be an essential element of Danish drug policy.
This approach is based on the conviction that drug policies should be built on human rights.
Everybody, including people who use drugs, has the right to be treated with dignity.
Consequently, Denmark is opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances. The death penalty should be abolished.
To the achievement of progress, it is also essential that civil society is involved in drug policies at the national and international level.
Mr. Chair, with a view to enhancing the implementation of all international drug policy commitments, and in addressing the challenge that drug treatment and health services continue to fall short of meeting needs, the Government of Denmark pledges to establish a financial and legal framework for integrated double diagnosis treatment under of the responsibility of its regions.
The aim is to provide people who are suffering from both drug abuse and mental disorders – people with a so-called double diagnosis – with a more coherent and comprehensive treatment than they are offered today.
People with double diagnosis are particularly vulnerable and deserve particular attention. They have special needs and many of them need integrated treatment.
However, the division of administrative responsibilities can be an obstacle to delivering integrated treatment. That is the case in Denmark where treatment of drug abuse is the responsibility of the 98 municipalities and treatment of mental disorders is the responsibility of the five regions.
We are confident that establishing a framework for integrated double diagnosis treatment under of the responsibility of the regions will achieve its aim.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.