« …The tragedies caused by the lack of adequate and effective control of drug markets have increased social suffering, especially in relatively less developed countries and regions.

That is the reason why sustainable development opportunities must be taken as a guidance to improve the performance of drug policies. But this will not be possible without a strong public administration and efficient evidence-based public policies that, without repeating schemes worn out by the absence of results, take on the challenge of incorporating a new focus.

For all these reasons, we commend the efforts that Civil Society is undertaking to achieve an effective political incidence of this agenda, and we gladly join in an open dialogue where diverse voices and visions can fit. »

Diego Martín Olivera Couto,
Secretary-General, National Drug Council,
Office of the Presidency of the Republic, Oriental Republic of Uruguay.