DFAF’s special distinction as a Non-Governmental Organization in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, allows to have a voice in global drug policy. As an NGO with ECOSOC Consultative Status, DFAF has the ability to organize, host, and participate in side events during at CND. The CND is the main policy-making body with the United Nations system on narcotic drugs and serves as one of the governing bodies of the UNODC.
This year marked the 66th Session of the CND held in Vienna, Austria during the week of March 13th with funding from the Colombo Plan with support from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). DFAF travelled 10 participants, including two youth, from seven countries. With help from a private donor we were also able to travel three doctors from Colorado. Each year our delegation grows, giving us a stronger voice to promote evidence based prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.
Side Events
In collaboration with World Federation Against Drugs, Celebrate Recovery/Proslavi Oporavak, San Patrignano, and the Women’s Organisations Committee on Alcohol and Drugs (WOCAD), DFAF hosted a side event titled Advancing Effective Strategies in the Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery of Women. In addition to this side event, DFAF co-sponsored events with the Europe for Action on Drugs, University of Derby, the Recovered Users Network, the Turkish Green Crescent, the Well Communities, EURAD, the Fourth Wave Foundation, and Carlton Hall Consulting.
Luncheon: Impacts of Marijuana Legalization
In collaboration with the World Federation Against Drugs and the African Union, DFAF hosted a luncheon for Members States on the Impacts of Marijuana Legalization in the United States. We were honored to have Abel Basutu, the Senior Drug Control Officer at the African Union Commission, provide opening remarks, Regina Mattsson from the World Federation Against Drugs moderate the luncheon, and the following speakers from the U.S. speak on marijuana related issues: Amy Ronshausen, Dr. Roneet Lev, Dr. Catherine Antley, and Dr. Kimberly Wagoner. The event was closed by Angela Martins, Ag. Director from the African Union Commission and all attendees received the DFAF hard cover book on counter narcotics and a talking point guide for policy makers on drug demand reduction issues. The luncheon was attended by various Member States from the African Union, as well as representatives from Norway, Singapore, and Italy.
Global Task Force Training
Additionally, through the Colombo Plan grant, DFAF is responsible for building capacity through our Global Task Force (GTF). DFAF’s attendance and participation at the CND and building this global task force is critical to ensure that NGO’s representing science-based prevention, treatment, and recovery are involved in global drug policy. We want to extend a special thank you to Matej Kosir (VNGOC, UTRIP), John Redman (CADFY), Dr. Kim Wagoner (PTTC Wake Forrest), the team at Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), and Carlton and Cedric Hall (CHC Consulting) for their partnership in conducting trainings for our GTF members covering diverse topics from abstract writing, CBD, impacts of marijuana legalization, and engaging youth in prevention.
