http://vienna.usmission.gov/090212-unodc-cnd.html

UNODC: Preparations for the High-level Segment of the 52nd CND
Consultations on the Political Declaration

U.S. Statement by Chargé Geoffrey Pyatt
February 12, 2009

Madame Chair, as you prepare to lead the
delegations in a final push to craft the
political declaration of the UNGASS review, I
appreciate the opportunity to explain the new
U.S. position on drug demand reduction.

Most importantly, I want to make clear that the
United States supports needle exchange programs
as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the
transmission of HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne diseases.

The United States also supports other
evidence-based approaches to reduce the negative
health and social consequences of drug abuse,
including access to medication-assisted treatment
for narcotic addiction, as part of a
comprehensive substance abuse treatment protocol.

The United States is committed to a comprehensive
approach to demand reduction. It continues to be
a key priority for the U.S. government, as it has
been for the past decade. In 2008 our federal
government spent some $5 billion on demand
reduction programs, and state and local
governments spent millions more. The United
States does 85% of the world's research on drug
abuse. Consequently, most evidence-based programs
and best practices for prevention and treatment
either originate in the U.S. or are facilitated
by the U.S. in collaboration with other foreign researchers.

Evidence-based approaches to reduce the negative
health and social consequences of drug abuse,
including access to medication-assisted treatment
for opiate addiction, behavioral therapies, and
comprehensive needle-exchange programs, form
parts of a comprehensive approach to substance
abuse that has long-term recovery, abstinence and
social reintegration as its goal.

However, the United States continues to believe
that the term "harm reduction" is ambiguous. It
is interpreted by some to include practices that
the United States does not wish to endorse or see
included in UNGASS documents, not in the
Political Declaration nor in the Plan of Action.

Over the past several days my delegation has
consulted widely with other delegations to
explain our new position, and to explore ways to
find common ground on these issues in the UNGASS
documents. We are confident that under your
leadership, we member states will be able to work
constructively together and reach the agreement
essential to make the ministerial meeting in March a success.

We want once again to express our deep
appreciation and admiration for your work, Madame
Chair, and for the skill with which you have
guided our discussions. We stand ready and
committed to assist you in successfully concluding the UNGASS process.

Thank you