UN Chief Calls for Ending Stigma Endured by Drug Users

Secretary-General António Guterres called for upholding the human rights of people who use drugs, including by expanding prevention and treatment programs and health services.

In his message on World Drug Day 2023, UN Chief said: "This year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking focuses on the need to put people first by ending stigma and discrimination and strengthening prevention."

He continued: "This means stressing rehabilitation, rather than punishment and incarceration for minor drug offenses. It means protecting people and communities alike by ending impunity for drug traffickers profiting from people’s pain."

He explained that people who use drugs can often face significant barriers to treatment and even health services for infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, adding that drug traffickers continue to prey on drug users, rapidly escalating the production of dangerous, highly addictive synthetic drugs.

He further mentioned that tens of millions of people suffer from drug use disorders, noting that less than one-fifth are in treatment.

"Drug users are doubly victimized: first by the harmful effects of the drugs themselves, and second by the stigma and discrimination they face," he said.

Guterres concluded his message by calling on the international community to continue their work to end drug abuse, illicit trafficking, and the stigma endured by drug users around the world.