Most people with drug use disorders do not receive effective treatment says WHO

(June 27, 2012) Most people with drug use disorders do not receive effective treatment and care, according to a new United Nations information system that, for the first time, provides details on the resources allocated to the prevention and treatment of alcohol and drug-related problems in 147 countries. “Drug dependence is a disorder that can be treated effectively but, unfortunately, the large majority of persons who need it, do not have access to treatment,” said Dr. Shekar Saxena - the Director of WHO, the World Health Organization’s Department for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. According to WHO, until now, drug dependence has not been recognized as a health problem in many countries, and stigma and discrimination associated with drug dependence have been major barriers to appropriate treatment. For the health agency, drug dependence is a disorder that can be treated effectively with low-cost medicines and standardized psychological therapies. WHO has been working closely with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) since 2009, to increase the access to treatment for people with drug use disorders.