Quality Assurance for Drug Use Disorder Treatment

Over 38 million people worldwide are living with drug use disorders, yet only a fraction have access to appropriate treatment. These disorders place a heavy burden on individuals, families and communities, and their wider social costs – from health care to justice systems – are significant. Investing in evidence-based treatment is not only vital for recovery and well-being, but also for reducing crime, protecting public health and supporting sustainable development.

To address this, UNODC and WHO developed the International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders. These Standards provide practical guidance for building ethical, effective and affordable treatment systems, with care that is accessible in community settings as well as specialist services. A companion Quality Assurance Toolkit helps countries strengthen service delivery and ensure consistent, patient-centred care. Together, these resources support better health outcomes, reduce stigma, and contribute to global goals on universal health coverage and the prevention and treatment of substance use.