Objective The overall objective of the meeting is to raise awareness and galvanise commitment and action of high-level Government leadership, policy makers, public health officials and other stakeholders to take appropriate measures (including legislative, administrative, social and educational etc) in addressing drug use prevention and SUDs treatment and related co-morbidities. Specific Objectives of the high-level session 1. Enhance legal, policy and institutional frameworks to effectively prevent drug-use, crime and violence amongst youth Sensitize for a comprehensive multi-sectorial health response to drugs. A response using the UNODC WHO International Standards on Drug Use Prevention and the UNODC WHO International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders as guidance material for national and regional strategies in line with science focusing on human rights, gender-sensitivity and particularly vulnerable groups (children, women and youth) 3. Reflect on the overall health and social situation of drug use as well as experiences from the African Union that are in line with such standards in an effort to galvanize and network positive South-South experience exchange. 4. Discuss newly availed open-sourced tools designed for, and experiences derived from, Low- and Middle- Income countries in the field of prevention of substance use focusing on building family skills, life and social skills in a universal setting or in selective settings for higher risk groups (particularly those living in humanitarian setting). 5. Discuss newly availed open-sourced tools and services designed for, and experiences derived from, Low- and Middle- Income countries availing evidence based, affordable and accessible treatment services and systems in line with the human right principles. Such services will focus on alternative to convictions or punishment, treatment services geared for youth and their families as well as services for women including pregnant women. . 6. Advocate for the value of Youth empowerment and inclusion at the level of policy making as well as·service provision and equipping them with the necessary tools, skills and platforms to become key enablers in preventing drug use, building resilience to drugs, crime and violence. 7. Mobilize Donor engagement and to commit increased resources for drug demand reduction interventions at the regional level and member state level 8. Agree on a roadmap for strategic interventions in addressing drug use prevention and SUDs among youth, women and children in African Union Expected outcomes 1. Increased awareness and knowledge of drugs and drug use disorders and interventions in line with the UNODC WHO International Standards among High Level Government Leadership, policy makers, public health officials and other stakeholders 2. High Level continental dialogue stimulated to serve as a platform to promote cooperation and collaboration to address evidence-based drug demand reduction responses 3. A roadmap for strategic interventions in addressing drug use prevention and SUDs treatment among youth, women and children in the African Union agreed. 4. Donor engagement and expression of commitment and mobilisation of resources for drug demand reduction interventions at regional level and member state level. Format of meeting The high-level session will be held over three days, preceded by two days of senior expert meetings. Day 3 will culminate in the opening session and plenary interventions by Heads of State and Government on key meeting outcomes and the overview of SUDs and related mental health disorders on the continent. There will also be statements by the leadership f the AU, US State Dept.IINL, the World Bank Group and relevant UN agencies including UNODC, WHO etc.
https://au.int/en/newsevents/20231106/au-high-level-session-addressing-substance-use-and-related-mental-health
