The Meaning of Quality in Drug Treatment, Care, and Rehabilitation

At the 66th Commission on Narcotic Drugs in March 2023, UNODC, together with international partners, hosted a side event on strengthening quality assurance in the treatment and recovery support of people with drug use disorders. Experts from across the world shared experiences, good practices and challenges, highlighting the importance of evidence-based, patient-centred approaches in community settings.

The event underlined the need for ongoing improvement in treatment systems to ensure accessible, ethical and effective care. It also introduced a key paper reviewing the link between treatment quality and patient outcomes, reinforcing the global commitment to building stronger, more responsive services.