Jane Philpott, Bill Blair in New York to attend UN talks on war on drugs

Health Minister Jane Philpott and Bill Blair, the MP leading the Liberals' strategy on the legalization of marijuana, will be in New York Wednesday to join the United Nations General Assembly for three days of meetings to scrutinize and reform treaties signed 18 years ago to stem the global drug trade.

The UN special session comes at a contentious time for Canada, whose plan to legalize recreational marijuana is in direct breach of three previously adopted globaltreaties.

The purpose of the meeting is toreview the progress and implementation of the UN's 2009 Political Declaration and Action Plan on drugs, a follow up to a 1998 declaration, and assessongoingchallenges in combating the world drug problem.

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In his address to the General Assembly, Werner Sipp, thepresident of the International Narcotics Control Board, saidthere hasbeen remarkable successes in the implementation of the declaration, however some targetshave not yet been met.

But the international war on drugs has also been deemed a failure by many for the high cost of enforcement, issues around incarceration and the violence associated with countering drug cartels.

PhilpotttoldCBC'sSusanLunn that Canadawants to have an approach todrug policy that is firmly grounded in evidence, respects human rights and that is driven by a public health lens that includes maximizing education and minimizing harm.

But Philpottsaid Canada expects to discuss the plan for marijuana legalization at the UN meetings because many countries have shown aninterest in Canada's progress on the matter.

Rethinking the war on drugs

8 years ago

Duration 2:22

UN General Assembly will meet to scrutinize and reform treaties signed 18 years ago to stem the global drug trade

Blair to work with provinces, cities

The governmenthas proposedto set up a task force to workcollectively with thefederal, provincial and municipal governments on the policy, andwillseek input from experts inhealth, substance abuse and policing to develop asystem of marijuana sales and distribution withinCanada.

Blair, who is parliamentary secretary to the minister of justice and is the government's point man on its legalization effort, said the federal,provincial andterritorial task force will be assembled shortly, and willbe engaged in consultations across the country.

"It's a great deal of work. It's important to do it right. And so, we're looking at regulations with respect to production, distribution, the retail and consumption of marijuana and we want to make sure that it's based on the best evidence and the best advice from experts," Blair told reporters on his way to the airport Tuesday.

"It's really a comprehensive drug policy," said Philpott, "and that's the way Canada wants to address these concerns. I think it puts us in a very good position internationally."

Global treaties

The policy, however, would be in direct breach of all three international conventionsregarding global drug control currently adopted by Canada. Each convention criminalizes the possession and production of marijuana:

• Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961; as amended by the 1972 protocol.
• Convention onPsychotropicSubstances of 1971.
• Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of1988.

Canada will needto prove that legalizing marijuana will not negatively affect the global push to end illicit drug use, or decisions will need to be maderegarding international obligations.

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Philpott isaware the Canadian policy could face some tough criticismsat the UN meeting, but said the focus should be placed on looking for common ground in battling theworldwide problem.

"What I think we need to just be talking about at the UN is the fact that our objectives are similar that we want to make sure our citizens safe, and we want to makesurethatthey are healthy," she said.

This week's UN special sessionwill give member states the opportunityto commit to a new plan of action.