Vienna Declaration (drug policy)

The Vienna Declaration is a science-based statement advocating for incorporating public health and human rights principles into drug policy. Released in 2010, the declaration calls for a shift away from primarily punitive drug control approaches towards policies focused on harm reduction. It emphasizes the need to address the root causes of drug use, such as poverty, social exclusion, and lack of opportunity, rather than solely focusing on criminalization and law enforcement.

The declaration argues that the war on drugs has been ineffective and has contributed to significant harms, including increased rates of HIV, hepatitis C, and other blood-borne infections among people who inject drugs. It also highlights the social and economic costs of mass incarceration and the disproportionate impact of drug laws on marginalized communities.

The Vienna Declaration specifically supports evidence-based interventions such as:

• Needle and syringe programs: Providing sterile injecting equipment to reduce the transmission of blood-borne infections.
• Opioid substitution therapy: Prescribing medications like methadone or buprenorphine to help people manage opioid dependence.
• Supervised consumption sites: Providing safe spaces for people to use drugs under medical supervision.
• Drug checking services: Allowing people to test their drugs for adulterants and potency.
• Decriminalization and regulation: Exploring alternative approaches to drug control that focus on public health and safety rather than criminal sanctions.

The declaration was developed by a group of scientists, academics, and public health experts and has been endorsed by numerous organizations, including the International AIDS Society and the Global Commission on Drug Policy. It continues to serve as a call for evidence-based and human rights-focused drug policies worldwide.