North American Non-governmental Organizations Overwhelmingly Agree to Preserve UN Conventions on Drugs

(St. Petersburg, FL) On January 24th and 25th, Drug Free America Foundation hosted a North American Consultation that included more than 60 key stakeholders from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around Canada and the United States. This Consultation was an opportunity for NGOs to have a voice regarding the drug conventions of the United Nations (UN).

Overwhelmingly, the attendees expressed a strong desire to preserve the UN conventions on drugs and further articulated their excitement about being able to contribute their expertise to help shape international drug policy.

The North American Consultation was one of 9 regional consultations being held around the world. The findings of these worldwide meetings will be presented to the UN for consideration at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session in 2009. 

Calvina Fay, Executive Director of Drug Free America Foundation, commented: “This consultation generated significant outcomes that will support the mission and the goals of the United Nations, resulting in stronger and mutually beneficial partnerships between the UN and NGOs around the world.”

“The conventions have helped to promote a safer world and one less accepting of the negative impact of drugs and those who would profit from drug trafficking,” Fay concluded.

“The results of these two intense days of brainstorming plans and practices will enable NGOs and the UN to better communicate with each other in order to uphold and promote the United Nations Drug Conventions worldwide. It was refreshing to see so many organizations agree on drug policy,” said Ben Jenkins, President of Drug Prevention Network of Canada and a participant at the forum.

Drug Free America Foundation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to fighting drug use, drug addiction and drug trafficking and to promoting effective drug policies, education and prevention.

If you would like to set up an interview regarding this issue with Calvina Fay please contact Lana Beck, Director of Communications, at (727) 828-0211 or (727) 403-7571.