Minister expresses disappointment at UN drug talks
UNITED NATIONS — Jamaica on Tuesday registered its disappointment that the outcome of the United Nations (UN) Document on addressing the world’s drug problems does not allow individual countries the flexibility to design domestic policies to fit national circumstances.
The country’s position was outlined by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith.
She made the remarks as she explained Jamaica’s vote on the adoption of the outcome of the UN Document on the world drug problem during the opening plenary of a special session of the world body held here.
The minsiter said that despite the disappointment, “Jamaica supports the consensus on the outcome of the document”, acknowledging that it is the result of a long and difficult negotiating process.
She noted that the process included multi-stakeholders’ consultations and the submission of inputs from UN member states, civil society, international organisations and UN agencies
According to Johnson Smith, while significant advances have been made, Jamaica would have liked to see included in the policies, “recognition of the traditional use of cannabis in our society as a religious sacrament”.
She also expressed Jamaica’s concern that “there is no follow-up mechanism to review the global drug control architecture and make recommendations for the consideration of member states on how best to recalibrate the global response”.
Johnson Smith said that although the document did not fully live up to Jamaica’s expectations, “we remain committed to continued, constructed dialogue”.
She, meanwhile, encouraged the international community to move forward to address the world drug problem in a manner that reflects contemporary and evolving realities.