India: Expert Forum calls for stronger community efforts, policy interventions on health and rights to enable a drug-free childhood

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (India)/16 November 2022: Drug use affects not only human lives, but also the global economy, social dynamics, human rights, and overall security and stability of nations. The World Drug Report 2020 showed that the global trend of substance use among youth is on the rise. According to the report, there are 192 million cannabis users, 27 million amphetamine and prescription stimulant users, 58 million opioid users, 21 million ecstasy users and 19 million cocaine users globally. The World Drug Report 2021 estimates a further rise in drug use of 11% by 2030.

The impact on children and youth is particularly significant. There is a pressing need for a stronger focus on evidence-based prevention and promotion of clear health standards for youth. The outcome document of 2016 by the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on the World Drug Problem, also acknowledged the immediate need to address the global drug problem and actively promote a drug-free society in order to ensure that all people can live in health, dignity, and peace, with security and prosperity.

Calling for a ‘drug free childhood,’ UNODC joined hands with the Fourth Wave Foundation and the World Federation against Drugs to convene an international forum in Kerala, to strengthen joint efforts by civil society, governments, health organisations, policymakers and communities to address drug use. Themed ‘Children Matter – Right to a Drug-Free Childhood’, the forum called for stronger community efforts and policy interventions to promote a health and human rights-based approach against drug use. The forum was attended by over 300 delegates from 60 countries.

Addressing the forum, UNODC South Asia’s Regional Representative, Mr. Marco Teixeira emphasized the relevance of families, youth engagement and education in addressing drug use. “Evidence-based parenting skills and family skills training programmes have been found to be a highly effective way to prevent substance use among children and adolescents.  These programmes offer skill-building for parents on monitoring and supervision of children's activities, communication as well as setting age-appropriate limits,” he said.

“Our youth programs involve students, educators and families on enhancing socio-emotional resilience, peace and integrity. These are issues that sometimes go under the radar, but are crucial to the wellbeing and resilience of youth. Our experience at UNODC also shows, that an emphasis on enhancing integrity and ethical behaviours among young people, sensitizing them on critical social themes through the SDG framework, and empowering them to use their skills in becoming problem solvers, can be a gamechanger,” Mr. Teixeira added.

The onus not only lies on governments, but also on civil society, stakeholders and community, and they all must act together, he added.

UNODC Programme Officer, Mr. Billy Batware said, “Children face increased risk of drugs and alcohol abuse due to their poor mental and physical health resulting from violence, exploitation and sexual abuse. In its 2021-25 strategy, UNODC has defined harnessing the transformative power of youth and children as one of its three cross-cutting commitments."

This activity contributed to SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 5 and SDG 16: https://sdg-tracker.org/