Moving drug policy reform forward at the local level

Cities or municipalities are central to the design of public policies, including drug policies. Cities are the level of government closest to the reality of what is happening on the ground and it is cities that suffer the most, in terms of paying the costs (financial, social and human) of the negative consequences of repressive drug control policies in countries all around the world. At the same time, it is at the local level that initiatives - sometimes developed in contrast to national policies - may be developed, before being piloted and sometimes leading to change at the national level.
In addition to its work at the international, regional and national levels, the Global Commission on Drug Policy (GCDP) - founded in 2011 by former Heads of State and Government from the Americas and Europe, with the aim of opening an honest debate on drugs and inspiring better drug policies globally - has also been advocating for the importance of supporting local drug policy reform, taking into account health, human rights and safety considerations (see the Global Commission’s 2021 position paper : Drug Policy and City Government).
In July 2023, the Global Commission held a Cities for Drug Policy Reform Consultation in Glasgow, Scotland where it met with a small group of relevant actors to discuss how cities can help cities to promote changes in their responses to complex issues related to drug policy and practice; as well as see how the Global Commission could help cities and other local authorities in coming together and furthering drug policy reform in their respective jurisdictions. Crucial to the Cities’ Strategy for Drug Policy Reform is the development of a set of Common Principles - grounded in human rights – to help guide local authorities that are interested in signing on to the Cities’ Strategy.
Collaboration between the Global Commission on Drug Policy and UN Habitat on the question of local drug policy reform is essential, particularly seeing how Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 - “to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” - and drug policy issues are inextricably linked.

The session will present the Cities’ Strategy for Drug Policy Reform being developed by the Global Commission on Drug Policy, as well as elements of the Common Principles. It will also provide an opportunity for certain local authorities and partners from cities around the world to share their perspectives on various drug policy reform issues that they are dealing with at their respective local levels, as well the value of engaging with this Cities’ Strategy for Drug Policy Reform.