Focus

Pompidou Group will take part in the 62nd CND Session

As in previous years, the Pompidou Group will take part in the 62nd Session (Vienna, 14-22 March 2019) of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).

During the Ministerial Segment (14-15 March), which will take stock of the implementation of the international commitments made to counter the world drug problem, the Portuguese Presidency will deliver a statement on behalf of the Pompidou Group.

On the occasion of the 62nd CND Session, the Pompidou Group is co-sponsoring four high-profile side events:

• Spearheading Prison Health Reforms in Eastern Europe
  (18 March, 2.20-3.10 p.m., Room M6), organised by the Governments of the Republic of Moldova and Romania
   
• Opioid Dependence Syndrome: A Regulatory Framework Assuring Access to Treatment
  (19 March, 9.00-9.50 a.m., Press Room), organised by the Governments of Malta, Switzerland and Portugal
   
• Psychoactive Substances and the SDGs – Towards a Comprehensive Approach in the Era of the 2030 Agenda
  (19 March, 9.00-9.50 a.m., Room MBR-A), organised by the Government of Slovenia, Utrip Institute for Research and Development and IOGT International
   
• Drug Prevention Approaches That Make a Difference
  (19 March, 2.20-3.10 p.m., Room M6), organised by the Governments of Serbia and Iceland

A stand of the Pompidou Group with publications and materials presenting the Group’s work will be located in the M0E building on level O.
 

• Pompidou Group statement
• More information on the 62nd CND Session

"Opioid Agonist Treatment, Guiding Principles for Legislation and Regulations"

With nearly 35 million opioid users worldwide, access to opioid agonist treatment (OAT) is a major health issue. Only 12 million are intravenous drug users and are at risk of becoming infected with HIV or hepatitis C virus (HCV). These high-risk opioid users are close to 1.3 million in Europe. Only 50% have access to treatment and there are considerable differences from one country to another, between cities and rural territories, and in terms of population groups (women, minors, etc.). The major obstacle is the requirement to obtain prior approval, notwithstanding the effectiveness of this treatment which is beyond any doubt. Scaling up the access to opioid agonist medicines is a WHO recommendation and is part of the EU Action Plan on Drugs for 2017-2020. In particular, two medicines are deemed essential: methadone and buprenorphine. The report drafted by a group of health and legal experts thereby calls upon countries to review their national regulations in the light of four recommendations: (1) the delivery of opioid agonist medicines without prior approval; (2) the removal of financial barriers to health care access; (3) the setting up of a national consultative monitoring body; (4) the use of a neutral, precise and respectful terminology. All these courses of action are aimed at an equitable and timely access to health care, in alignment with the human rights-based approach recommended by the Pompidou Group.

• Opioid agonist treatment guiding principles for legislation and regulations P-PG_2017_15