Substance abuse represents a serious public health concern with an impact on social development and security. It can only be addressed through the rational application of non-moralistic public health interventions emphasizing harm reduction programmes over punishment.

Barriers to prevention, care and treatment services for people who use drugs (PWUD) are common across the globe. This means that integrated services which optimise the treatment of complex health risks and conditions faced by PWUD are rare and referral system between services remains weak. Additionally, systematic violation of human rights through legal, regulatory and discriminatory practices represent significant barriers to accessing services.

WHO has put Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as one of the strategic priority for the next years, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target 3.8 of Universal Health Coverage for all by 2030. In order to achieve UHC agenda, PWUD should not be left behind.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Partnership on Substance Abuse supports Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies to advocate for PWUD equitable access to health and social services and the adoption of humanitarian drug policies based on humane and effective approaches that prioritize individual and public health.