Drug use disorders often take the course of a chronic and relapsing health disorder. UNODC supports UN Member States in their efforts to develop and expand ethical, evidence-based, and accessible drug use disorder treatment and care services in a public health framework, in line with UNODC-WHO International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders. Evidence-based treatment strategies are critical to protect the health, safety and well-being of individuals with drug use disorders, their families, communities and society as a whole. Research studies indicate that for every $US 1 invested in evidence-based treatment, up to $US 7 are saved in terms of costs for drug-related crime and criminal justice costs, and up to $US 12 when savings related to health care are included. In line with its’ mandates, UNODC, in close coordination with partner agencies such as WHO, develops, implements and evaluates a variety of tools and strategies on drug use disorder treatment and care along a continuum from less specialized to more specialized health and social interventions thus responding to the needs of diverse groups of people with drug use disorders.
