UN's Recommendations on Law on Drug Prevention and Control

In a context of increasing drug supply and demand in Viet Nam, as well as Government commitment, opportunities and capacities to handle drug use disorder issues, Viet Nam has decided to amend the Law on Drug Prevention and Control. The UN appreciates that one of the stated principles for its revision is to ensure compatibility with international law, commitments and practices that Viet Nam have acceded to, especially the 03 UN Convention on drugs of 1961, 1971, 1988 and other regional commitments.

The ‘UN General Comments’ and recommendations are focused on the following issues, where the draft law could be strengthened: the ineffectiveness of compulsory drug treatment; the importance of evidence-based drug use prevention, harm reduction and treatment; the need to maintain and reinforce access to essential health services, including drug use prevention and treatment of drug use disorders including, opioid substitution therapy and drug overdose; the necessity of a human-rights based and gender-responsive approach; the use of internationally agreed terminology, definitions and standards.

The ‘UN Detailed Comments’ provide a comprehensive set of detailed and specific recommendations.