UNODC Training for Uruguayan Policymakers on the Nature, Prevention and Treatment of Drug Use Disorders
A policy maker training on the nature, prevention and treatment of drug use disorders was organized for 50 participants in coordination with the National Board of Drugs (Uruguay), the UNODC Country Office in Peru and Ecuador, and the UNODC regional section for Latin America from 9-11 September 2019 in Montevideo, Uruguay.
In the opening of the meeting, the Secretary General of the National Board of Drugs (Diego Oliveira) outlined the national strategy on drugs. Moreover, a leading national expert Dr Antonio Pascale presented the toxicology of different substances available in the country. Time was also assigned for participants to conduct a diagnosis of the current national prevention, treatment & care system and identify key needs or priorities for future policies in Uruguay.
The UNODC Policymakers Training Package on the Nature, Prevention, and Treatment of Drug Use Disorders was developed in 2016, as part of UNODC's work in supporting Member States in their efforts to create humane, effective and evidence-based drug use prevention and drug dependence treatment and care services. This tool aims at supporting Member States in developing appropriate policies, strategies, programmes and interventions targeted at preventing drug use and increasing the availability of and access to comprehensive systems of care for people affected by drug use and drug use disorders.
The ultimate goal of this initiative is to contribute to the efforts of Member States in building a health-and human-rights-oriented response to the problem of drugs and to reduce the burden caused by associated health and social consequences. With the involvement and active participation of public governmental institutions, universities, treatment centres, civil society organizations and prevention and health professionals, UNODC promotes a systematic, intersectoral and multidisciplinary response to a very complex problem, affecting large segments of the world’s population and supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3.5, on strengthening substance use prevention and treatment, and related goals and target of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030.
