An important draft recommendation on Human Rights and Drug Policies is currently being developed, and we need strong representation from our Global Task Force (GTF). The Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC) will participate in two upcoming Council of Europe meetings—the 19th Ministerial Conference of the Pompidou Group and the 2nd Meeting of the Drafting Committee on Human Rights and Drug Policies.

These discussions will shape international guidance on human rights and drug policy, and your expertise is essential to ensure that public health, prevention, and the rights of children are fully reflected.

Please review the resources shared by the Drafting Committee:

Key Rights of the Child to Consider in Your Input

When preparing your contribution, we encourage you to highlight the following obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and their relevance to drug policy:

  • Best Interests of the Child (Art. 3): All drug policies must prioritize children’s safety, health, and development.
  • Right to Health (Art. 24): Prevention, early intervention, and safe environments are fundamental human rights duties.
  • Protection from Harm & Neglect (Art. 19): Children must be shielded from drug-impaired caregiving, unsafe homes, and community drug harms.
  • Protection from Illicit Drugs (Art. 33): States must take all appropriate measures to prevent children’s exposure and involvement in drug activity.
  • Protection from Exploitation (Arts. 32–36): Children must be safeguarded from exploitation linked to drug markets, trafficking, or unsafe environments.
  • Right to Safe Family Care (Arts. 18, 20): Families affected by substance use need support to ensure children’s stability and well-being.
  • Recognizing Impaired Decision-Making: Substance use disorders are chronic brain diseases that impair judgment; drug-impaired actions can endanger children and violate their rights.

Submit your insights and written suggestions via email to Matatej Kosir at mkosir@vngoc.org and info@vngoc.org by 28 November.