A/HRC/31/45 a joint statement with International Service for Human Rights, Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales and Intercambios Asociación Civil; Washington Office on Latin America, Comisión Mexicana de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos, Asociación Civil and Harm Reduction International; Penal Reform International; and International Educational Development.1 A. General observations 26. A number of States noted that the world drug problem constituted a challenge to safety, national security, socioeconomic and political stability, the health and well-being of populations and sustainable development. These challenges were compounded because of the illicit activities of criminal organizations connected to drug trafficking. Others underlined the negative impact of drugs and drug trafficking on peace, human rights, stability and security. One State commented that it was important to address the drug problem through a holistic and human rights-based approach, protecting the human rights of all, including drug offenders. Another State noted that, while drug use was harmful, the means to address it were not always equally effective, proportionate or legitimate. Some States said that the drug problem was a shared challenge and cutting both supply and demand needed to be reinforced. One State stressed that the current international legal framework for drug control should be maintained and that it firmly opposed the legalization of drugs. Another State called for profound changes to the current system. States welcomed the special session of the General Assembly on the world drug problem and called for strengthened international cooperation. One State commented that the special session should formulate drug policies in close cooperation with those affected and focus on how the important element of prevention could be integrated. 27. Some States underlined that drugs were a major problem for the African continent, which was a major transit area. African countries were increasingly concerned about the interconnectedness between narcotics traffic, organized crime and terrorism. One State noted that, at gateways for drug trafficking into Africa, traffickers were paid in drugs, which had led to increased drug use by local populations. 28. An intergovernmental organization underlined the importance of human rights in addressing drug use and that the unintended social and economic consequences of drug policies needed to be studied. Without advancing conclusions, a number of questions were raised, including on the State’s responsibility to take steps to avoid preventable deaths and whether there was evidence that different drug policies could prevent undesirable situations. A number of non-governmental organizations called for the Human Rights Council to keep the issue of the world drug problem and human rights on its agenda, and further called for the creation of a special rapporteur mandated to deal with this issue. B. Right to health 29. A number of States noted the negative impact of drugs and drug trafficking on public health, safety and security but underlined the necessity to combat drugs through a comprehensive and human rights-based approach. One State said that there should be an increased focus worldwide on public health, prevention, treatment and care, and on economic, social and cultural strategies. 1 Statements not delivered owing to lack of time but provided to the Secretariat can be consulted on the extranet of the Human Rights Council, available from www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/HRCRegistration.aspx. 7