Statement by
Ms. Marina Rosenberg
Israel's Delegate to the Third Committee
“International Drug Control”
5 October 2011
Mr. Chairman,
Allow me to congratulate you on your election as Chairman of our committee. The Israeli delegation would like to take this opportunity to assure you of our complete cooperation as you guide our deliberations.
Mr. Chairman,
Organized crime and drug trafficking pose significant threats to the security and welfare of societies across the globe, including my country of Israel. These crimes are transnational. Single countries cannot face these issues alone. In a globalized world, international collaboration remains a necessity.
Israel’s national law enforcement officials, including the police, customs, army, and prison services work in close cooperation with international counterparts and UN bodies to combat illegal trafficking and crime. In addition, Israel joins forces with our regional counterparts to curb trafficking.
As a signatory to all three international drug control treaties and as a member of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Israel continues to seek opportunities for partnership and collaboration with other Member States and United Nations entities.
On the international front, Israel has enhanced its cooperation with the European Council and European Union, in particular with the Pompidou Group and the EMCDDA. The Israel Anti-Drug Authority strongly promotes exchanges of information and experience with our counterparts and continues to organize bilateral study visits for expert delegations to and from Israel.
Mr. Chairman,
In order to prevent drug trafficking, we must not only target suppliers and smugglers; we must also reduce demand. Without demand for drugs, there would be no market for illicit drugs and no end buyer for traffickers. Thus, Israel views prevention as an integral element of any comprehensive drug reduction strategy.
Israel is particularly concerned with the threat that drugs pose to our younger generation. Israel employs evidence-based measures to protect our children and teenagers. We have implemented a comprehensive drug prevention strategy that promotes a healthy life style as part of the school curriculum. These programs begin in kindergarten and extend all the way through university.
Mr. Chairman,
Drug addiction is a serious concern, affecting the entire global community. Our comprehensive demand reduction strategy addresses drug addiction as a chronic health disorder, and aims to provide adequate and accessible treatment and rehabilitation solutions to all drug abuse victims. As Secretary General Ban Ki-moon noted on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: “Drug Dependence is a Disease, Not a Crime”.
In this respect, Israel offers victims of substance abuse and their families a wide array of treatment solutions, such as detox, therapeutic communities and harm reduction measures. These programs address the unique needs of each individual, with an approach that respects human rights and ensures human dignity. Our programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of various groups in Israeli society and take into consideration factors such as age, culture and religious background. Particular emphasis is placed on the specific needs of women. To this end, Israel has developed a women’s only treatment center with all-female staff, as well as centers catering to addicted women with children. These centers ensure that women have a safe environment for detox and rehabilitation, enhancing their chances of recovery and successful reintegration into society.
Evidence-based prevention and treatment programs have been implemented all over the country, targeting general and at-risk populations. For more than twenty years Israel has recognized the importance of research and data collection. Striving to meet to the highest international standards in data collection, we are establishing the Israeli Monitoring Center for Drugs and Alcohol, a national center dedicated to collecting drug and alcohol related data. The center will provide policy makers the scientific backing to promote evidence-based policies and legislation.
Mr. Chairman,
Cannabis is the most popular illicit drug in the world. Last year in Israel, 5.7% of youths and 8.9% of adults used cannabis. Among Israeli university students, the rates are even higher. After twenty years of a conservative approach, and in line with the changing global attitude towards cannabis use, policy makers realized it is time to reevaluate our strategy. Presently, the Israeli legal system emphasizes treatment as an alternative to prosecution for first time offenders.
The Israeli parliament recently appointed a national expert committee to reassess the way that the legal system copes with cannabis use. The final recommendations of the committee will be integral in the evolution of Israeli drug policy and will be adopted by the government.
Another cannabis related issue prominent on the national agenda is the use of cannabis for medical purposes. To regulate this issue, the Israeli government has recently granted the Ministry of Health full regulatory control of medical cannabis, taking into account all relevant international conventions. This authority oversees licensing for the import of cannabis as well as the cultivation and distribution of cannabis for medical purposes.
Mr. Chairman,
The scourge of organized crime and drug trafficking remain significant issues across the globe. To win this battle, we must focus not only on penalizing drug suppliers, but also on dis-incentivizing drug use amongst our citizens. In Israel, we believe that education is the key to this battle. By informing our citizens about the risks of drug use, we can reduce the exchange and use of drugs.
Most importantly, the fight against drug use must not be confined to individual countries. This must be a collaborative undertaking that spans across the globe. Israel pledges to do its part – and looks forward to working with the rest of the international community to further this critical effort.
Thank you.
