A/HRC/39/39 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 37/42, the Human Rights Council requested the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to prepare a report on the implementation of the joint commitment to effectively addressing and countering the world drug problem with regard to human rights, and to present it to the Human Rights Council at its thirty-ninth session, and to share the report with the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. 2. The present report is prepared mainly on the basis of submissions received pursuant to a call for inputs, made to States and other stakeholders. 1 In the report, OHCHR discusses human rights aspects of various joint commitments of States, as contained in the outcome document of the thirtieth special session of the General Assembly, on the world drug problem. II. Joint commitments on prevention, treatment, other health-related issues and human rights A. Prevention of drug abuse 3. In the outcome document of the thirtieth special session, all States committed to take effective, practical, primary and scientific evidence-based prevention measures that protect people, particularly children and youth, from drug use initiation by providing them with accurate information about the risks of drug abuse.2 4. On several occasions, human rights treaty bodies have recommended the adoption of preventive measures to address the drug problem, including through awareness-raising programmes and campaigns. 3 Special procedure mandate holders have stated that prevention must be pursued through evidence-based interventions as well as accurate and objective educational programmes and information campaigns. 4 5. In terms of national practice, Argentina, Cuba, Guatemala, Lebanon, Mexico, Myanmar, Paraguay, Switzerland and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela referred to existing prevention and awareness-raising measures. These included programmes to facilitate the communication of information and educational materials on drug use for groups potentially at risk, including children and adolescents, the holding of educational meetings, and evidence-based prevention measures targeting vulnerable groups. 5 6. In its resolution 61/2, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs recommended that efforts to prevent drug abuse in educational settings should include developing and implementing “comprehensive, scientific evidence-based and tailor-made initiatives and programmes”. In that regard, the Commission invited States to strengthen interaction and partnerships with students, teachers, families and communities and also with the private sector and civil society. 7. The primary message of prevention has been one of complete abstinence from drug use. The Global Commission on Drug Policy stated that there is not only little evidence of the effectiveness of such a message, it may in fact be counterproductive. The Commission recommended that if there were to be public awareness campaigns on youth and drug use, a 1 2 3 4 5 2 All submissions are available at www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/WorldDrugProblemHRC39.aspx. Recommendation 1 (a)–(c). The outcome document is available at www.unodc.org/documents/postungass2016/outcome/V1603301-E.pdf. See E/C.12/MKD/CO/2-4, E/C.12/ESP/CO/5, CRC/C/VCT/CO/2-3 and CEDAW/C/SWE/CO/8-9. See www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=19833&LangID=E. Submissions from States, submissions from the national human rights institutions of Argentina and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and the strategy of Myanmar which is available at www.unodc.org/documents/southeastasiaandpacific/2018/02/Myanmar_Drug_Control_Policy.pdf.