UN joint statement: Compulsory drug detention and rehabilitation centres in Asia and the Pacific in the context of COVID-19

Many countries in East and Southeast Asia have compulsory detention centres in the name of “treatment” for people who use drugs.

A Joint UN Statement on compulsory drug detention and rehabilitation centres in Asia and the Pacific in the context of COVID-19, signed by regional directors of 13 United Nations agencies from 16 regional offices in the region, calls on UN Member States to permanently close compulsory drug detention and rehabilitation centres and implement voluntary, evidence-informed and rights-based health and social services in the community.

The Statement was prepared by the UNAIDS regional office in partnership with OHCHR Asia as part of advocacy efforts to transition to voluntary community-based treatment and services for people who use drugs.