UN on drug problem: People first through health, rights

MANILA, Philippines — Member-states of the United Nations have called for a balanced approach to the world problem on drugs by putting people first through approaches that attend to health and human rights, and promote the safety and security of all societies. 

At a joint training program on “Regional Law Enforcement in New Psychoactive Substances” in Singapore, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said officials from 11 Southeast Asian and Pacific Island countries made the call that reaffirms the emphasis on health and welfare of humankind as the founding purpose of international drug conventions.