UNODC calls to treat drug addiction as public health challenge, advocating a more efficient judicial system

From left: Augusto Nogueira and Ghada Fathi Waly

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) believes that the local government must look to “always adopt a balanced approach […] in treating drug addiction and overcoming a public health challenge, looking at conventions which explore the possibilities of treatments.”

During a visit to the city on Friday, Ghada Fathi Waly, executive director of the UNODC toured facilities belonging to the Association for the Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers of Macau (ARTM), an NGO that collaborates with the Macau government to provide prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services for those struggling with addiction.

Waly emphasized the importance of a “balanced approach” to drug control, where governments treat addiction as a public health challenge and explore ways to make the judicial system more efficient.

The director said that Macau could work on looking at how its “judicial system could become a system that is efficient in addressing trafficking and related crime.”

The official has also expressed praise for Macau’s unique public-private partnership in addressing substance abuse issues.

“I saw a very dedicated team of people working together to help other people, and also trying some innovative models of reintegration, rehabilitation, and vocational training,” said the UNODC representative, who was in Macau after attending a conference in Hong Kong. “I think these models are proving very positive,” she stated.

“The fact that the government is providing funding for such an NGO and, therefore, funding for an NGO that is working towards harm reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and vocational training, is a positive step. It is positive when governments work closely with civil societies,” the UNODC director said.

The UNODC, as the UN entity responsible for monitoring international drug control treaties, emphasized the importance of a balanced approach to drug policies that both treats addiction as a public health challenge and adopts enforcement measures against trafficking.

“What we try to do is to provide every possible opportunity for governments to learn from each other, for governments to look at the whole continuum of interventions, starting with prevention, to treatment, to law enforcement, addressing trafficking and violence related to drug trafficking, but also protecting society, community, families and individuals, and giving them another chance,” said the director.

Meanwhile, the ARTM president has called for greater sentencing flexibility and has advocated for “greater willingness” among judges to find alternatives to prison for drug-related offenses in the territory.

Augusto Nogueira argued that there should be a “greater desire on the part of those judges who sentence to give people the opportunity to enter treatment, without having to send them to prison.”

Current Macau law criminalizes drug use, with offenders facing up to one year in prison or a fine.

However, Nogueira rejected the need for legislative changes, noting that since 2009 the law has allowed for the suspension of sentences for those who voluntarily undergo treatment or hospitalization.

“We believe that people who use drugs should not go to prison. They should undertake alternative corrective measures, like treatment. Depending on the situation, there are a lot of alternatives that can be provided,” Nogueira told the press.

“Any law that puts people who use drugs in prison is a harsh law, because there is no need; there are always other alternatives for people who use drugs,” he said.

The official said that placing drug users in prison “will not work, and this is proven.”

In 2023, Macau recorded 119 known drug consumers, a slight increase from the previous year but down significantly from 2021. Nogueira acknowledged the territory has a “very stable situation” but warned of “hidden cases,” underscoring the need for persistent prevention and outreach efforts. Staff Reporters