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Delegates to the 51st
Directing Council endorsed a regional plan of action that defines the
issue of psychoactive substance as a public health priority.
The Plan of
Action on Psychoactive Substance Use and Public Health seeks to reduce
the burden associated with substance use disorders and promotes an
integrated public health response.
The plan
proposes lines of action that focus on prevention, screening, early
intervention, treatment, rehabilitation, social reintegration, and
support services.
The
prevalence of drug use, especially among youth and other vulnerable
groups, varies greatly, but in general is concentrated in urban areas.
In addition to alcohol and tobacco, the substances most widely used in
the Americas are cannabis, cocaine, and volatile solvents. There is also
growing nonmedical use of psychotropic substances.
The new
regional plan stresses the need to improve access to health services;
promote the health and well-being of individuals, families, and
communities; and promote and protect the right of all persons to the
enjoyment of the highest degree possible of mental and physical health.
In 2010, PAHO’s 50th
Directing Council approved a regional public health strategy to respond
to problems associated with the use of psychoactive substances in the
Americas. The new plan of action will address each of the strategy’s
five areas of action: development of national policies and resource
allocation; promotion of universal prevention; early intervention, care,
support services and treatment systems; research, monitoring, and
evaluation; and development of strategic partnerships.
Most
countries in the Region have a limited number of health professionals
and services specialized in substance use, resulting in significant
treatment gaps. The most feasible way to improve treatment coverage is
to integrate prevention and treatment services for substance use
disorders into health and social welfare systems based on primary health
care, and to work with the criminal justice system. Professionals and
nonprofessionals working in this area need training to be able to
provide adequate care.
At the same
time, psychotropic medications need to be appropriately prescribed and
regulated in order to significantly reduce their nonmedical use and
increase their availability when and where they are needed.
The approved
plan of action urges countries to develop and implement national and
subnational plans, with PAHO/WHO support, and calls on PAHO/WHO to
monitor and evaluate the implementation of the regional plan. |
