UNODC Launches International Standards Workshop to Strengthen Drug Use Disorder Treatment in Southern Africa
Key Insights
UNODC convened 45 stakeholders from Zambia and Botswana in January 2026 for the first workshop on the International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders in Lusaka, Zambia.
The workshop introduced key treatment principles: accessibility, ethical and voluntary care, effectiveness, individualized recovery-focused approaches, and multisectoral coordination.
Southern Africa faces a significantly elevated HIV (search) prevalence of 43.2% among people who inject drugs, far exceeding the global average of 12%, alongside rising synthetic drug and methamphetamine trafficking.
From January 26 to 28, 2026, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (search) (UNODC), in partnership with the Zambia Drug Enforcement Commission (search) (DEC) and the Botswana Drug Enforcement Agency (search) (DEA), facilitated the first-ever workshop on strengthening local knowledge of the International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders in Lusaka, Zambia. The three-day event convened 45 key stakeholders from across the region, marking a significant step toward translating global treatment principles into local solutions for Southern Africa's evolving drug crisis.
The workshop brought together officials from the Zambia Ministries of Health, Community Development, and Correctional Services, the Botswana Police Service, frontline treatment providers, individuals with lived experience of treatment and recovery, as well as representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV (search)/AIDS (UNAIDS).
A Region Under Pressure
According to the 2025 World Drug Report, drug markets across Southern Africa are showing signs of rapid diversification and growth. Beyond persistently high cannabis consumption, the region is experiencing an increase in synthetic drugs, new psychoactive substances (NPS), and stimulant use. Cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking present additional pressing challenges, with Zambia reporting an increase in drug treatment admissions for cocaine use.
The public health stakes are particularly acute. Southern Africa has a significantly higher prevalence of HIV (search) among people who inject drugs, reaching 43.2%, compared to the global average of 12%. These developments, the UNODC notes, "raise critical concerns for public health and community well-being both locally and globally."
Core Principles of the International Standards
Participants were introduced to the foundational principles of the International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders: treatment should be accessible and available, ethical and voluntary, effective, tailored to individual treatment needs, aiming for recovery, and provided through effective multisectoral coordination.
The workshop employed a combination of plenary sessions, small group discussions, presentations, and collaborative work sessions focused on developing action plans for national drug use disorder treatment systems. Presentations showcased innovative approaches, including web-based screening tools such as ASSIST and effective interventions tailored for women with substance use disorders and survivors of gender-based violence.
A panel discussion led by a multidisciplinary team featuring policymakers, practitioners, health and social sector professionals, and individuals with lived experience enabled participants to learn directly from experienced practitioners while gaining insight into how the International Standards translate into science-based, effective treatment and care services.
Participant Reflections
The workshop's impact was evident in participant feedback. One attendee stated: "The workshop gave me a new perspective on drug use disorder treatment and how to work with the International Standards at the national, district and community level." Another participant noted: "I now have a comprehensive understanding of the continuum of care for people with drug use disorders and how to implement it in communities."
A Four-Pillar Roadmap
Building on the workshop outcomes, UNODC has initiated further discussions with the Zambia Drug Enforcement Commission (search) and the Botswana Drug Enforcement Agency (search) around interventions across four key pillars:
- Advancing technical support to strengthen national drug use disorder treatment systems
- Establishing and operationalizing national rehabilitation centers coupled with robust Quality Assurance mechanisms for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders
- Exploring non-custodial alternative options for individuals with drug use disorders in contact with the criminal justice system in appropriate cases of a minor nature, and establishing referral pathways to effective drug treatment and care
- Building awareness among traditional and faith-based leaders as partners in addressing drug use and drug use disorders
These coordinated efforts aim to create an effective, science-informed response for addressing substance use disorders across both countries, ensuring that no one is left behind in their path to recovery. The workshop serves as a catalyst for strengthening regional capacity to respond to drug use disorders with evidence-based, humane, and coordinated approaches.