Following the resignation of Mrs Ghada Waly as the Executive Director of the UNODC*, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr António Guterres, is repsonsible for the appointment of her successor. In the current global developments and insecurities, it is essential to ensure and include the focus on drug-demand reductions alongside with supply reduction. Hence, we shared our Urgent Appeal with Mr António Guterres on August 11th, highlighting the importance of the next Executive Director of the UNODC to underscore the inclusion of the continuum of care, from prevention to recovery and reintegration, whilst ensuring the continued space for civil society.
The letter has been endorsed by 215 networks, organisations, and individuals from 62 countries.
*A letter of appreciation was shared with Mrs Ghada Waly on July 9th, recognising her positive impact during her term.
To: H.E. Mr. António Guterres Secretary-General of the United Nations
Your Excellency,
Amid the current transition period for the United Nations at large and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in particular, including the change of leadership, we, the undersigned civil society organisations would like to commend you on the excellent appointment of Ms. Ghada Waly. During her leadership, she has been committed to uphold the mission of the UNODC, in line with the International Drug Control Conventions, with an emphasis on a continuum of care with human rights and public health at the centre. Ms. Waly placed particular emphasis on civil society engagement and the importance of evidence-based prevention and recovery-oriented systems of care, whilst highlighting the unique challenges faced by women, vulnerable populations, and underserved regions.
During this significant time of transition within the United Nations System, we write to you with deep concern and urgent conviction to call attention to the importance of comprehensive and integrated systems of drug demand and supply reduction. We understand the massive challenge you face in reconciling the mission and values of the UN with the reality of reduced and unstable funding. During this time, we call on you to ensure that the United Nation’s commitment to drug demand reduction including evidence based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery and reintegration remains a fully supported an integral part of the mission of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and that your next appointee underscores the importance of this continuum of care whilst ensuring the continued space for civil society.
Amid restructuring discussions, we understand that there is a risk that drug demand reduction may be deprioritised in favour of a sole focus on supply reduction. This would come with massive negative impact. Abandoning or weakening drug demand reduction would not only undermine decades of progress in public health and human rights, but it would also erode the protective factors that shield children, youth and communities from the harms caused by illicit substances, violence and organised crime.
A rights-based and evidence-based mandate
Drug demand reduction is not an optional add-on to global drug policy. It is a rights-based obligation rooted in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 33 of the CRC, uniquely among other UN human rights conventions, explicitly mandates that children be protected from illicit drug use and exploitation. This calls for comprehensive prevention and treatment approaches, not solely enforcement-based supply control but rather an integration of drug demand and supply reduction efforts through comprehensive frameworks and cross-cutting partnerships.
Prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery are essential components of a holistic and humane response to drug use. These approaches are cost-effective and when gender-sensitive, age-appropriate, and culturally adapted, yield long-term benefits in terms of public health, safety, peacebuilding and social development.
A global crisis demands comprehensive responses
The world is facing converging crises, including conflict, [forced] migration, environmental degradation, and severe mental health emergencies. These crises not only exacerbate risks associated with substance use but also create opportunities for illicit trade, particularly in areas affected by conflict and [governance] instability, fuelling a vicious cycle. Furthermore, stigma, poverty, gender-based violence, inadequate services, and barriers to access further compound these vulnerabilities – especially for women, children and marginalised groups.
As the world population continue to grow, with certain continents dominated by a large population of youth, the lack of opportunities is intensifying. In these cases, drug demand reduction becomes particularly important. The World Drug Report 2025 reported that “on average, young people around the world use drugs at least as much as adults”. On the African continent alone, drug use disorders among young people are projected to rise by 40% by 2040 (African Union 2023).
When children grow up in environments marked by environment ts with substance abuse, poverty, trauma, displacement or neglect we have a duty to intervene, not only with protection from trafficking but with tools to build resilience. Prevention is protection. Treatment is hope. Recovery is possible. These are not abstract ideals but life-saving interventions.
The power of prevention and recovery:
Prevention is one of the most cost-effective investments available. For every dollar spent in prevention, we are saving up to 400 in spent in future social, criminal justice, and health costs. At the same time, recovery is not only possible but probable, with research showing that, when provided with the right support, more than 50% of people recover and go on to lead healthy, contributing lives.
Drug demand reduction is not just beneficial, it is essential.
Mr. Secretary General, we know that the UN System is under strain. As are we. The space for civil society is shrinking. Funding is fragile. Rights are being rolled back. And yet, we continue to stand by the multilateral system. We defend the values and the institutions that protect human dignity.
We urge you to do the same. Do not allow the essential mandate of drug demand reduction to be dismantled. We call on you to:
- Safeguard the full spectrum of drug demand reduction efforts within the UNODC and across the UN system, including prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery and reintegration.
- Maintain and strengthen mechanisms for civil society participation.
- Promote child- and gender sensitive approaches to drug policy.
- Recognise the strategic importance of prevention in building safe, peaceful and resilient societies, particularly in conflict affected contexts
The future of millions depends on your continued leadership and your refusal to allow funding constraints determine the scope of human rights and global responsibility. As you consider the appointment of Ms.Waly’s successor at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, we hope this vision will be carried forward. We stand ready to work with you and we ask that you stand with us.
Respectfully,
Regina Mattsson
Secretary General
World Federation Against Drugs
Endorsed by,
A total of 215 organisations and networks in prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery along with individuals, including practitioners, government agencies/representatives, youth, and other stakeholders, from 62 countries.
- A Hand to Humanity Association, Zimbabwe
- A New Thing International Foundation, Nigeria
- Active Youth Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
- Afya Care Foundation, Kenya
- Alma Cad, Colombia
- AYA Women and Youth Initiatives, Nigeria
- Anti-Drugs & Doping Group, Rwanda
- Applied Prevention Science International, USA
- ARTM -Associacao Reabilitação Toxicodependentes de Macau, Macau, SAR China
- Asociación Boliviana de Comunidades Terapéuticas, Bolivia
- Asociación Civil Ser Libre, Uruguay
- Asociación comunidad terapeutica Fuente de Agua Viva, Peru
- Asociacion de Comunidades Terapeuticas Peruanas, Peru
- ASSHO (Afghanistan Solidarity for Social & Humanity Organization), Afghanistan
- Assistance and Empowerment Foundation for Papuan Community, Indonesia
- Associação para Integridade de Crianças e Jovens em Angola, Angola
- Associação Pró Coalizões Comunitárias Antidrogas do Brasil, Brazil
- Association Izlazak, Serbia
- Association of Anti-Drug Abuse Coalitions of the Philippines Inc, Philippines
- Association Proyecto Hombre, Spain
- BARNALY, Bangladesh
- Bethesda Reincarnation Centre, Sri Lanka
- Blue Cross Society of Tanzania, Tanzania
- Bring Light Save Life, Cameroon
- Celebrate Recovery – Proslavi Oporavak, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Center for Youths Mental Health and Drug Abuse Prevention, Nigeria
- Centro de Vida – PGB / PGBRSC, Bolivia
- Centro Terapeutico Renacer, Uruguay
- Cetad Sembradores de Vida, Ecuador
- Children Education Society (CHESO), Tanzania
- Civil Development Organization -CDO, Iraq
- Clínica Jorge Jaber, Brazil
- Community Alliances for Drug Free Youth, USA
- Community Development & Entrepreneurship Foundation, Pakistan
- Compagnon d’Action pour le Développement Familial, DRC
- COMUNIDA TERAPÉUTICA ENSÉÑAME EL CAMINO, Peru
- Comunidad La Roca, Chile
- Comunidad Terapéutica de Rehabilitación Mburucuya, Uruguay
- Comunidad Terapéutica Taller del Maestro, Paraguay
- Comunidade SÓ POR HOJE, Brazil
- Comunidades Preventoras Asociación Civil, Argentina
- Conseil de Facilitation et Gestion Locale (CFGL), DRC
- Corporacion Cambiando Corazones, Colombia
- Crea Chile, Chile
- Crisis Resolving Centre, Tanzania
- Dalgarno Institute, Australia
- Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Bangladesh
- DJC Solutions, LLC, USA
- Drug Advisory Training Hub (DATH) a project of Youth Council for Anti Narcotics (YOCFAN), Pakistan
- Drug Free America Foundation, USA
- Drug Prevention Network of Canada, Canada
- Eden House Group, Kenya
- EDITO – Espacio de Diagnóstico e intervención Terapeuta Oportuna, Bolivia
- Empower India, India
- Endless Welfare Foundations, Pakistan
- Erase una vez, Bolivia
- Eurad, Belgium
- European Federation of Therapeutic Communities (EFTC), Greece
- Fazenda da Esperança, Kenya
- Federación Ecuatoriana de Comunidades Terapeuticas, Ecuador
- Federación Latinoamericana de Comunidades Terapéuticas (FLACT), Chile
- Federación Salvadoreña de Centros de Tratamiento en Adicciones (Fesacta), El Salvador
- FEÚCA (Federación Uruguaya de centros terapéuticos en prevención y rehabilitación de conductas adictivas), Uruguay
- Fighting Against Drug Use in the Communities, Namibia
- FONGA, Argentina
- Foundation for a Drug-Free World, USA
- Fourth Wave Foundation, India
- FRIENDS – (Forum for Rural Income & Environmental Development Services), Sri Lanka
- Fundación Faro, Colombia
- Fundación Madres del Cerro, Uruguay
- Fundación Para la Promoción de la Salud Humana, Argentina
- Fundación Proyecto Hombre Navarrra, Spain
- Fundación Renuevo, Bolivia
- Global Action for Sustainable Development-GASD, Liberia
- Green Crescent Health Development Initiative, Nigeria
- Greenfield Hospital of Psychiatry, Pakistan
- GSFEN Worldwide Limited, UK
- Hayat Rehab Clinic (HRC), Pakistan
- Human Rights and Conflicts Resolution Centre Abakaliki, Nigeria
- Iglesia Evangelica Bautista Nueva Esperanza, Argentina
- Impact Community Planning Group, LLC, USA
- IMPACT VOICES – The Social Innovation Intermediary, Sri Lanka
- Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc., USA
- Institute for Research and Development “Utrip”, Slovenia
- Integrated Behavioral Healthcare Alliance, Nigeria
- International Islamic university Islamabad, Pakistan
- International Police Organization, Serbia
- IOTT, South Africa
- ISTM/Lubumbashi, DRC
- Jatio Tarun Shangh (JTS), Bangladesh
- Journey NGO, Maldives
- Jurwa Recovery & Aftercare center, Bhutan
- Justsayno Nepal, Nepal
- Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation KKAWF, Pakistan
- Kawempe Youth Development Association, Uganda
- Kenya Association of Muslim Medical Professionals, Kenya
- Komphash, Denmark
- LEEDO, Bangladesh
- Life Challenge Nigeria, Nigeria
- Makhdoom Counseling Center, Pakistan
- Menorah Trustees Community Service, Ethiopia
- Millenium Foundation for the Survival of African Migrants, Nigeria
- Mon-Yhue Education Foundation, Liberia
- Movendi International, Sweden
- Narkotikapolitikk.no, Norway
- National Career Education Foundation Pakistan, Pakistan
- National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence-Maryland Affiliate, USA
- National Drug Prevention Alliance, UK
- New World Hope Organization (NWHO), Pakistan
- NPC, Sweden
- Nusroto Al-Anashid Association, Lebanon
- OASI Foundation, Malta
- ONG RENAISSANCE AFRICAINE, RENAF KIVU en RDC, DRC
- OPADEC, DRC
- Organización de Tratamiento y Prevención de Drogas, Chile
- Pakistan youth organisation, Pakistan
- PARENTS CONTRE LA DROGUE, France
- Pastoral de la Sobriedad El Redentor, Paraguay
- Peace Inn, Pakistan
- Planet Youth, Iceland
- Prevention for Progress, Georgia
- Professional Driving and Safety Academy, Nigeria
- Proyecto Origen, Colombia
- Proyecto Hombre Catalonia, Spain
- Psico Salud y Transformación, Colombia
- Ready to serve Humanity, Nigeria
- Reclaiming Futures Nigeria, Nigeria
- Recovery Solutions Treatment and Counselling Centre, Uganda
- RNS, Sweden
- SABR FOUNDATION CANADA, Canada
- SafeLaunch, USA
- SAF-Teso, Uganda
- San Patrignano, Italy
- Save Our Society From Drugs, USA
- SDG Youth Network of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka
- Secure the future international initiative, Nigeria
- Securing the. Creative on Youths Initiative, Nigeria
- Shine IRCA, India
- Siripa Sewana drug rehabilitation center, Sri Lanka
- Slum Child Foundation, Kenya
- Smart International, Sweden
- Só por Hoje, Brazil
- Soberlife Mentorship Society, Kenya
- Social Linkages for Youth Development and Child Link, Sierra Leone
- Stampout Drug Abuse Initiative, Nigeria
- STAND, South Africa
- Students Campaign Against Drugs (SCAD), Kenya
- SUNFO Global Fedaration, Sri Lanka
- Support Persons in Trauma Initiative, Nigeria
- Synergie des Femmes de la Société Civile “SYFES”, DRC
- Taller del Maestro, Paraguay
- The Eye Opener Youth and Women Foundation, Nigeria
- The Jordan Anti Drugs Society, Jordan
- TruPurge, USA
- Turkish Green Crescent Society, Türkiye
- UDOM Health Club, Tanzania
- Uganda Youth Development Link, Uganda
- Unheard Voices Afrika, Kenya
- Valle de Guerreros, Colombia
- Vision for Alternative Development (VALD), Ghana
- WCTU Drug-Free Lifestyles, Australia
- Women Development Fund (WODEF), Kenya
- World Federation Against Drugs, Sweden
- World Federation Against Drugs- DRC, DRC
- World Federation of Therapeutic Communities (WFTC), USA
- Youth Against Drugs Ghana, Ghana
- Youth for Development and Human Rights Advancement, Rwanda
- Youth for human right Kenya, Kenya
Signed anonymously - Liberia
- Georgia
- Togo
- Tanzania
- Nigeria
- Nigeria
- India
- Kenya
- Kenya
- Nigeria
- Philippines
- Zambia
- South Africa
- Kenya
- South Africa
- Bangladesh
- Uganda
- Pakistan
- Poland
- Paraguay
- India
- Uganda
- Kenya
- Pakistan
- Argentina
- India
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Uganda
- Pakistan
- Pakistan
- Maldives
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- India
- Paraguay
- Paraguay
- USA
- Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka
- Spain
- Spain
- The Netherlands
- Paraguay
- Paraguay
- Chile
- Paraguay
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