A Call for a Reprioritization for Metrics to Evaluate Illicit Drug Policy (January 2016)

Date: 21 January 2016

This open letter was published by the International Centre for Science in Drug Policy in 2016. The letter was written as a preparation for UNGASS 2016.

The open letter urges all national and international stakeholders, including the UN, to commit to a review the formal metrics used when evaluating drug control policies. It is highlighted that there is a need for evidence based measures when discussing drug policy, and that current indicators are insufficient as they inadequately assess how drug policies affect peace/security, human development, human rights and health issues.

Concussively the open letter recommends the creation of an expert advisory group whose task it would be to formally revise drug policy metrics, seeing as if nothing of the sort is done then the consequences and issues stemming from illicit drug use will continue across the globe.

Citation: International Centre for Science in Drug Policy, 'A Call for a Reprioritization for Metrics to Evaluate Illicit Drug Policy' (2016)