Statement des Beauftragten der Bundesregierung für Sucht- und Drogenfragen zur 69. Sitzung der Commission of Narcotic Drugs

Es gilt das gesprochene Wort.

Mr Chairman,

Mr Executive Director,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The world is moving fast.

And the pressure for quick solutions is growing.

Success is determined not by speed, but by precision.

Impact is not created by volume, but by clarity.

And clarity is exactly what our institutions need today.

The UN80 Initiative seeks to ensure that our institutions remain fit for the challenges ahead.

In the field of drugs and organized crime, this means that UNODC must continue to evolve.

Germany stands firmly with UNODC.

But support does not mean standing still.

It means improving together.

The same clarity is needed in the debate on drug policy.

Questioning assumptions is legitimate.

Science thrives on doubt. Politics demands scrutiny.

But doubt must not lead to relativism.

Debate must never replace evidence.

Evidence must remain the foundation of drug policy.

As a scientist, I say this clearly.

Addiction is a severe chronic disease.

It will not be solved by moral appeals, but by prevention, treatment and pathways to recovery.

And as a politician, I say this just as clearly.

Organized drug crime undermines the rule of law, fuels violence and threatens our security and social cohesion.

Neither a one-dimensional war on drugs nor unregulated liberalization will succeed.
Repression alone cannot solve a health problem.
And liberalization without safeguards creates new and unpredictable risks.

What we need is a balanced but also determined approach — addressing supply and demand alike, strengthening law enforcement while expanding prevention and treatment, and working in strategic partnership.

Human rights are not an obstacle here.
They are and haver to be our benchmark.

Germany is taking action.

We support the European Action Plan against organized crime and have launched a national programme against criminal networks.

At the same time, we are nationally strengthening prevention, treatment and harm reduction - broadening substitution therapy, enabling drug checking and making naloxone widely available.

This is evidence-based policy.
This is responsible action.
And it saves lives.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Drugs are becoming more potent.
Markets are becoming more digital.
Criminal networks are becoming more sophisticated.

Our response must be just as clear: reform, focus and shared responsibility.

Let us strengthen UNODC.
And let us pursue a drug policy that is comprehensive, balanced and science-based — but also resolute in its implementation.

Thank you.