Statement made by the Minister of Health at the UNGASS
2016
in New York, yesterday
Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, my
delegation subscribes to the statement delivered by the European Union.
I would like to
add some remarks in my national capacity. I appreciate the opportunity to
address on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus this high level meeting which aims
to address all the achievements put forward since the 2009 "Political
Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation towards an
Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem", as well as
the challenges that remain. Cyprus strongly believes that UNGASS 2016 is an
opportunity to achieve feasible and viable solutions to the world drug problem,
as well as find a common ground based on the international treaties.
The Republic of Cyprus is fully aligned with the EU
position and supports a balanced and evidence-based approach with a main focus
on the individual and the protection of society as a whole. We consider drug
dependence as a public health and human rights policy priority that has to be
managed in an integrated manner that recognizes its complexity. Cyprus, together
with the fellow EU Member States, has a strong and unequivocal opposition to the
death penalty in all circumstances and especially as regards drug related
offences.
We believe that the death penalty undermines human
dignity and errors made in its application are irreversible. We also strongly
believe that sanctions provided for, under national law for all drug-related
offences should be proportionate to the severity of the offence. Along these
lines, alternatives to imprisonment should be offered to drug users in order to
keep them out of prison and provide them with a second chance to seek treatment.
In Cyprus, a relevant legislation on the alternatives to imprisonment for drug
dependent offenders was recently approved by the House of Representatives and
these measures are currently being forwarded.
To address the drugs’ challenge and the negative related
consequences, we believe that, drug policies should promote evidence-based and
cost-effective measures. Such measures that have been implemented in the EU and
have proven to be effective as regards the reduction of drug-related deaths,
crime and infectious diseases are harm reduction measures such as opioid
substitution therapy, needle and syringe exchange programmes and naloxone
provision.
We strongly advise the Member States to consider
implementing or reinforcing these measures in the context of the drug demand
reduction part of the balanced approach.
Dear Excellencies, Cyprus would also like to stress the
following issues as important points for consideration today:
· The access to controlled substances for use by the
scientific and medical community should be increased.
· The promotion of the participatory role of civil society
and the scientific community regarding all aspects of drug policy.
· The recognition of the different needs for men, women,
young people and children when addressing the drug phenomenon.
· The challenge of new constantly emerging psychoactive
substances and the role of the internet on drug supply should be addressed.
· The promotion of an effective law enforcement policy
towards the illicit production, manufacturing and trafficking of drugs should
also be an integral part of the balanced approach.
Ladies and Gentlemen, We regret that a drug-free world
is not realistic. Nonetheless, all of us participating in this meeting today
have the obligation to strive, for the establishment of achievable measures and
policies that will be crowned with success and will benefit the lives of people
who struggle with drug dependency.
Thank you.
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