Topic: 2024-Substance Abuse
Country: United States of America
Delegate Name: Moon Fenchel
The United States (US) has a complex history in attempting to manage substance abuse. Initiatives were shaped by societal attitudes, medical achievements, and political priorities of the time. Historically, the US implemented punitive measures; this can especially be seen during the “War on Drugs”, Especially with the Anti Drug Abuse Act in the 1980s, which focused on criminalization of racial minorities and internal eradication. While these policies aimed to curb drug trafficking and usage, they often targeted marginalized communities such as African American and impoverished populations. Additionally, these policies didn’t do much to address addiction as a public health issue, especially as approximately 5.8 million people were addicted to opioids such as heroin. These measures neglected the root causes of addiction, which include poverty, trauma, and mental health issues, and framing substance abuse as a moral failing rather than a medical condition. This era sadly deprived public health systems of the resources needed to combat addiction effectively, fostering societal stigma.
In recent years, the US has shifted its substance abuse policies towards a more liberal, forward thinking, and health centered approach. Under the Biden Administration, the 2022 National Drug Control Strategy choses to emphasize harm reduction, expanding access to treatments, and improving data to guide interventions. Key measures include promoting syringe exchange programs and integrating addiction treatment into the criminal justice systems. Biden’s administration seeks to disrupt drug trafficking networks and to collaborate with international organizations to combat synthetic drug abuse. Additionally, integrating substance abuse treatment into the criminal justice system allows prisoners to work on getting clean before leaving prison to hopefully avoid a relapse or further-incarceration. On a global level, the US has worked closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse.
Looking to the future, the US plans to focus on expanding healthcare and treatment access for substance addiction. Additionally, it looks to improve harm reduction strategies. Future programs include addressing barriers to care; these can stem from social stigma and financial instability. Additionally, the US will continue to collaborate with WHO and the US Department of Defence to promote global substance abuse management and to ensure alignment with sustainable development goals. The Biden Administration will continue to highlight the importance of tackling the emergence of drugs such as xylazine through advanced surveillance. By aligning efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the US will work to foster a health focused domestic and global approach to substance abuse, ensuring that marginalized communities have access to the resources they need.
