BACKGROUND 

In addition to its work at the international, regional and national levels, the Global Commission on Drug Policy has also been advocating for the importance of supporting local drug policy reform.

Cities are the level of government closest to the reality of what is happening on the ground. While they pay significant (financial, social and human) costs related to the negative consequences of repressive drug control policies, it is also at the city level that local innovative initiatives may be developed before being piloted and sometimes leading to change at the national level.

In line with its organizational strategy 2023-2025, and following consultations with local governments, the Global Commission is developing a Cities’ Strategy for Drug Policy Reform, which includes a set of Shared Principles and Common Approach grounded in human rights intended to guide local authorities in their drug policy reform actions.

The Global Commission is committed to continuing to support local authorities in their drug policy reform work, by fostering a global platform of exchange for cities and other local authorities to share their practices, with the aim of moving towards more human rights- and public health- based drug policies for all.

TIMELINE

2017
On 26 June 2017, the Global Commission on Drug Policy, in collaboration with the Mayor of London, hosted a high-level event focusing on “The role of Mayors in implementing humane drug policies”, in London, United Kingdom.

2020
On 7 September 2020, the Global Commission on Drug Policy organised a pre-Conference event, ahead of the Fast-Track Cities Conference 2020 in Lisbon.

2021
The Global Commission on Drug Policy published its Position Paper, Drug Policy and City Government.

On 22 June 2021, the City of Geneva, the City of Zurich, and the Global Commission on Drug Policy organised an international event entitled “Drug Policies and Cities Governments” in Geneva, Switzerland.

2023
On 5 July 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland, the Global Commission on Drug Policy organised a Consultation on a proposed “Cities’ Strategy for Drug Policy Reform” with selected partners, on the sidlines of the Global Commission on Drug Policy 2023 Plenary. The aim of the consultation was to meet with a small group of relevant actors to discuss and analyze how cities can help to promote changes in their responses to drug-related complexities.

2024
On 25 January 2024, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the Global Commission on Drug Policy organized a technical workshop: “Cities’ Strategy for Drug Policy Reform – Developing Common Principles for Drug Policy Reform at Local level”. Co-chaired by Commissioner Ruth Dreifuss and Dr Saket Priyadarshi from the City of Glasgow, local authority representatives and relevant actors such as the International Network of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD) and UN-Habitat participated and discussed a draft set of Common Principles.

As part of the “Dealing with Drugs” Conference organised by the Mayor of Amsterdam, on 26 January 2024, the Global Commission organized a session entitled “The Global Commission on Drug Policy: Drug Policy Reform at City Level”, moderated by Commissioner Michel Sidibé at which cities and other partners were able to share their perspectives on drug policy reform issues that they are dealing with.

In November 2024, the Global Commission on Drug Policy achieved a significant milestone in its Strategy for Local Drug Policy Reform during the World Urban Forum 12 (WUF12) in Cairo, Egypt. At the event, the Global Commission and UN-Habitat signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize their collaboration on promoting sustainable urban development and integrating drug policy reforms. This agreement underscores the shared commitment to advancing health and human rights at the local level.

As part of the panel discussion titled “Moving Drug Policy Reform Forward at the Local Level,” co-hosted by the Global Commission and UN-Habitat, global leaders and local government representatives shared insights on addressing drug-related challenges in urban settings. The session highlighted innovative reform efforts in cities such as Bern, Glasgow, Melbourne, Tshwane, and Vancouver, and presented the Commission’s draft Common Principles for local drug policy reform. By showcasing these initiatives, the discussion emphasized the crucial role of local governments in driving meaningful change while advancing health, safety, and human rights for urban populations.

MATERIAL

• Cities Strategy for Drug Policy Reform
• 2021 Drug Policy and City Government Position Paper
• Cities’ Animation

PARTNERS

• UN Habitat
• Global Cities Hub
• International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC)
• International Network of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD)
• Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
• International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC)