The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is the central policy-making body within the United Nations and deals with drug-related issues.
In March 2005 it will be holding its 48th Conference in Vienna, where it will be constructing the UN’s policies on drug issues. The following letter by Kasia Malinowski-Sempruch is a call for more participation from the HIV/AIDS activist communities in this meeting.

Dear Colleague,

The focus of the 48th Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) that takes place March 2005, is drug use, HIV, and AIDS. The center of this thematic debate will be how these issues affect and impact communities. This year is a critical time for NGOs to attend the CND and push our issues to the forefront. Each year the CND is able to internationally enforce its punitive drug polices. We must highlight the contradictions within the UN policy and call on the CND to reschedule methadone and support Harm Reduction strategies immediately. With a stronger, firm, and unified NGO presence, we will ensure that government delegations feel pressured to properly address the way drug users are represented at the meeting and treated around the world.

The CND is the central policy-making body within the United Nations dealing with drug-related matters. It assesses the world drug situation and develops proposals to strengthen the international drug control system to combat the world drug problem. It is not surprising that these proposals are usually focused on strengthening criminal enforcement. Furthermore, the CND continues to be used strategically as a way for law enforcement officials to gather and leave drug users, NGOs, and other advocates in the field out of the dialogue on drug policies and laws.

Last year we had a satellite session. Our participation in the NGO forum was worthwhile in an effort to have the CND begin to see and hear the connections between punitive drug policies and HIV. It would be beneficial if others considered conducting the same type of an event to solidify our opposition to the way CND is currently dealing with drug use and HIV. Accredited ECOSOC NGOs usually receive 5 badges to bring representatives from their organization to attend the session. Use of these badges is especially important to hold government delegations accountable and intensify our presence. We must ensure that drug users’ rights are represented throughout the session. Let’s mobilize our communities and bring international attention to how the rights of drug users are being stripped away. I urge you to take part in this coming year’s session, to contact your local representatives, and use your ECOSOC accredited status to make an impact on the 48th CND session.

Greater actions on HIV and AIDS are imperative for this year at CND!

EATN - European AIDS Treatment News, Volume 13, I – Spring 2005