Guiding principles of drug demand reduction: an international response.
BACKGROUND
The 20th century has seen the globalisation and homogenisation of substance misuse problems, blurring traditional boundaries between producer and consumer countries and forcing the international community to consider new responses to substance misuse.


OBJECTIVE
To highlight the importance of the principles of illicit drug demand reduction and related activities in tackling global drug problems and to discuss the commitment made by United Nations (UN) Member States at the highest political level towards meeting the objectives set in their Declaration on the Guiding Principles.


METHODS
A review of international responses to substance misuse.


RESULTS
Traditionally, the focus has been on reducing the supply of controlled drugs, while maintaining adequate supplies of narcotic and psychotropic drugs for clinical and scientific purposes. However, it has become apparent that supply reduction in isolation is insufficient and demand reduction is now receiving greater emphasis--culminating in the UN General Assembly adopting the Declaration on the Guiding Principles of Demand Reduction in 1998.


CONCLUSIONS
This declaration offers a genuinely holistic approach to the complexities of substance misuse. To be successful, it requires the commitment of governments at the highest level and the willing participation of small communities.
Ghodse
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Department of Addictive Behaviour & Psychological Medicine, St George's Hospital Medical School, London.
D003256:Community Participation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D007391:International Cooperation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014480:United Nations / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence
D013287:Illicit Drugs