Regional Consultation on Compulsory Centres for Drug Users (CCDUs) in Asia and the Pacific
14 to 16 December 2010
Bangkok
First regional consultation on compulsory centres for drug users concludes in Bangkok
ESCAP Resolution 66/10 issued a regional call for action to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support in the Asia-Pacific region especially having noted with concern the continuing high prevalence of HIV among key affected populations including injecting drug users. Pursuant to this landmark resolution, the first Regional Consultation on Compulsory Centres for Drug Users (CCDUs) was convened in Bangkok from 14 to 16 December 2010.
The event was organized jointly by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Centre for East Asia and the Pacific, ESCAP and the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific. Supported by the Australian National Council on Drugs, AusAID and USAID, the Consultation was attended by officials from eight Governments in East and South-East Asia and resource persons in the field of drug dependence treatment and HIV and AIDS.
The Regional Consultation aimed to provide a forum for Governments in the region to share information and experiences on effective drug dependence treatment approaches that lower the risk of HIV transmission. Additionally, it served to foster regional dialogue on the development and implementation of community- and evidence-based drug treatment, as well as HIV services for people who use drugs.
The Consultation reviewed the legal, policy and institutional environment governing national responses to drug use and dependence, including CCDUs. Participants noted the variation in approaches and recognized the need to take into account the local context in formulating and implementing responses.
Among other recommendations, the Consultation called upon the United Nations system, particularly UNODC, UNAIDS, WHO and ESCAP, to:
- Promote multisectoral collaboration by bringing together officials from law enforcement, health, judiciary, human rights, social welfare and drug control sectors and assist in the development of a regional framework for action;
- Enhance dialogue with policy makers to consider evidence-informed, community-based treatment;
- Promote the sharing of experiences on community-based treatment through regional intergovernmental and expert consultations;
- Incorporate the results of this Consultation into relevant intergovernmental processes, including the Asia-Pacific Regional Dialogue of the Global Commission on HIV and Law and the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting, as mandated by ESCAP Resolution 66/10;
- Support Governments in their efforts to assess the performance of CCDUs.
- Programme (PDF 541 KB)
- Outcome document of the Regional Consultation on Compulsory Centres for Drug Users (CCDUs) in Asia and the Pacific (PDF 147 KB)