Dr. Massimo Barra, Chairman, Development Commission, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
The meeting today provided a concrete illustration of the collaboration between The Senlis Council and the Red Cross.
I would like to address a very special thanks to our guests for being here in Rome for this leadership meeting.
The reason why we are here can be summarised in few words: public health and drug use are two inseparable dimensions.
When neglected, the health – drug use link becomes deadly.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic in some of the countries represented today is a sad illustration.
But, when political and social leaders face their responsibility in a pragmatic and compassionate sense, public health can become an effective tool to address drug use problems.
Greater public health response also reduces the social stigma attached to drug users.
Stigmatisation is the most deadly epidemic that affects vulnerable drug users. It kills more than drug themselves.
Public health measures are also about restoring the individual’s dignity and with it, the sense of safety of the communities in which they live.
We have been elected or appointed for some to care for the most vulnerable groups such as drug users. If some of our political leaders do not see any short-term gain to include those groups in their policy, we, the Red Cross Movement, do.
This is our duty, our raison d’etre.
So, what have we done to show that we care?
The European Red Cross/Red Crescent Network on AIDS (ERNA), whom many of you are familiar with, represents a first important step.
It has created a conscious, an awareness on the need for National Societies to commit to addressing the link between drug and public health in countries in Eastern Europe.
ERNA shows that the technical and grass root level can be involved in difficult areas such as drug-related problems.
Things have already started to change at the basis of our movement.
Action is being taken on the ground, with innovative health programmes making a difference.
I can only mention the bold public health steps taken by our friends from the Croatian Red Cross to tackle growing drug use problems. But there are many more National Societies who have shown a sense for innovation in taking care of drug users.
And I know and hope that there are even more National Societies ready to take this step.
With these activities on the ground, we now have the possibility for advocacy at the highest level.
Activities on the ground and advocacy are the twin engine of the Red Cross Movement. Should one of these engines be missing, we cannot go forward.
And I say to you my friends, let’s go forward together. Let’s show that the Red Cross is not afraid of complex issues like public health and drug policy.
If we fail to take the way forward on this, who will do it?
Who?
Who has enough recognition and universal reach to take care in a humanitarian and comprehensive way of this matter.
It is now in the hands of the governance, in our hands here in Rome today, to show leadership on this issue.
We can and must involve our National Societies at all level of the fight against vulnerability, including at the level of drug use.
It is necessary we bring drug policy higher up in our agenda for humanitarian action.
Our National Societies have a unique position. A bridge between society and governments.
As auxiliary to public authorities we make an important difference, first and foremost by being able to reach all components and levels of society.
Our unique position comes with a special responsibility.
We have got to commit our leadership to show that a better treatment for drug users is a better response to HIV/AIDS.
This morning, Mr. Paul Flynn presented the project by the Council of Europe of a convention for public health in relation to drug use. This is a concrete policy initiative that can make a very significant contribution to our work on the ground.
We should bring our full support to this initiative. We have a direct stake in it. And should make sure, with The Senlis Council, that it translates in a new framework to fight health and social stigmatisation of drug users.
At the special UN session on HIV/AIDS in 2001 in New York, the Red Cross was the sole civil society organisation to be mentioned in the official declaration.
This is an honour. But it is also a great responsibility.
We have taken a commitment before the world. We cannot afford to miss this pledge.
If our governments are reluctant to engage pragmatically on the drug issue, this is an even better reason for us to take on the task.
Drug policy and public health is not an easy task. But our Movement exists to make difficult and forgotten issues, the issue of humanity. The Red Cross has the duty to be an intermediary between drug users and government. A bridge for modern society.
My friends, this is not optional, it is a must.
Let’s find together the way forward.
Many thanks for your attention and bon appetite.