Drugs and drug policies in times of COVID-19: obstacles and implications for health and human rights
The COVID19 pandemic has prompted major disruptions across the world, exacerbating inequalities and disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable and marginalized communities.
People who use drugs are particularly vulnerable and disproportionately affected by the crisis. The pandemic and the restrictions put in place to halt the virus pose additional obstacles to access health and harm reduction services, imposing a heavy toll on people who are dependent on drugs with several implications for health and human rights.
Disruptions of the illegal drug market due to lockdowns and the closure of borders contributed to an increase in the availability of more potent and cheaper substances on the market. As we witness increases in drug use and record rates of overdoses deaths, a holistic and health-centred approach to drugs has never been more relevant. This crisis not only propels authorities to review their approach to drugs, but also underpins the urgent need for drug policy reform.
The objective of this high-level panel is to explore the implications of repressive drug policies at times of Covid-19 for the health and rights of people who use drugs. The session aims at providing an understanding of sound policy making, the role of evidence and best practice, and the interconnectedness between public health, human rights and drug policy.
Moderator
- Ruth Dreifuss, Former President of Switzerland Global Commission on Drug Policy
Speakers
- Pavel Bém, Global Commission on Drug Policy Former Mayor of Prague
- Naomi Burke-Shyne, Harm Reduction International
- Judy Chang, INPUD
- Antons Mozalevskis, World Health Organization
- Daniele Zullino, Geneva University Hospitals