ALTERNATIVES TO THE HARM REDUCTION POLICY

RESOLUTION

20 May, 2005, Vilnius

 Conference,

  -Having heard the reports of foreign and Lithuanian professionals, and representatives of the Lithuanian organizations, which work in the drug prevention field,

– taking into account the experience of international organizations, which work in the drug prevention field, and their negative assessment they presented of the so called “harm reduction” programs, such as syringes/needles exchange for drug addicts and the substitution or maintenance treatment when drugs (e.g. methadone or subutex) are used, as well as other programs by whatever name, which make the possibility to root drug culture in Lithuania and to legalize drugs,

– having discussed the alternatives suggested by foreign experts – methods and programs,

– taking into consideration the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Resolution of March 18, 2003, which stands strictly against attempts to legalize drugs and against the policies, which increase spreading of drugs,

– having assessed the danger for national security of Lithuania and the neighboring countries, which arises from the spreading of drugs,

– having in mind the suggestion of the 1961 conference of the United Nations to the countries, in which drug addiction is a serious problem, and if they have sufficient economies, to ensure drug-free treatment of drug addicts in hospitals,

– paying attention to the fact that in the 48th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, held on April 7-14, 2005 even the mentioning of the “harm reduction” programs was refused to be included into resolutions, because the commission considered such programs are not relevant to the fight against drugs,

suggests:

For the Action Group of experts organized by the Drug Prevention Commission of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania to examine various harm reduction and the alternative programs, which were discussed at the conference, as well as other options and to define the ways how to implement the alternative programs in Lithuania seeking to gradually replace the programs, associated with further legalization of various forms of drug use, with other programs, which are not associated with drug use,

For the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania to approve the State strategy and policies in the field of drug control and prevention of drug addiction, by which the alternative methods to “harm reduction” programs were legitimated, not raising danger of spreading of drugs, and reducing the drug demand, and by which the following principles would be stipulated:

The Republic of Lithuania invoking the 1961 United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances, the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, ratified by the Republic of Lithuania, and the 2002 Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Resolution on the Prevention of Drug Addiction in Lithuania, as well the 2003 Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Resolution on the Drugs Control Policy, Decides that:

1) the State priorities of the drug policy are drug supply and demand reduction, which include primary prevention, early diagnostics and intervention in schools and families, also interdiction of illegal distribution of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and the drug-free treatment of drug addicts;

2) The State upholds the strategy against any legalization of drugs, against any theories, strategies or activities, which would stimulate, make easier, and facilitate or promote in any way the use and spreading of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances;

3) Taking into account the aggravating factors of the criminal responsibility foreseen in the 1988 United Nations Convention, the State tightens up the administrative and criminal responsibility for activities associated with production, distribution, and usage or inducement of someone to use narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. For persons, who had committed these crimes, with the exception of those who were using narcotic and psychotropic substances, confiscation of property is applied, while release from criminal responsibility, suspension and release from enforcement of punishment for such persons is not used;

4) Special courts (judges) are being established for the lawsuits associated with production, distribution and usage of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances;

5) The State of Lithuania acknowledges the drug addiction as a disease, and the State undertakes a responsibility to present the adequate conditions for those who want to be treated;

6) Mandatory medical and social control programs are applied for children, who use narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances without prescription, while for those who are dependant on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances treatment and mandatory social rehabilitation measures financed from the State budget are applied;

7) Regular analysis of normative documents associated with the control of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and activities of the State officials responsible for the drug control on various state power levels, also public organizations, which work in this field is performed with the aim to prevent possible corruption activities and to stop possible attempts of liberalization of the drug policy in Lithuania;

8) The State supports non-governmental organizations carrying out the programs of drug prevention and the programs of public awareness of the drugs made harm.

The Resolution of the Conference has been adopted by consensus.