THE ROLE OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE PROMOTION OF THE RIGHTS OF DRUG USERS

Abstract

The concept of human freedoms and rights is the backbone of a democratic society and states are obligated to ensure the rights and freedoms of all citizens without any basis of discrimination. Many civil society actors are active and struggling to improve the human rights situation in different areas. Some of the main stakeholders are non governmental organizations working in the field of advancement of human rights and freedoms. These organizations most often represent vulnerable and unprotected groups of people, such as women, children, refugees, migrants, people with disabilities, drug users, etc. When it comes to drug users, the activities of non governmental organizations are reflected in providing help to drug users in exercising their rights in health and social care, providing free legal aid, counseling, assistance in the process of rehabilitation, resocialization and reintegration, etc. The NGOs also work on the provision of the rights of drug users in prisons, especially in terms of improving the conditions in which they exist, the access and availability of treatment programs, and also have actions to implement the harm reduction programs, because this category of persons is one of the most vulnerable categories of drug users. In the Republic of North Macedonia, the civil sector plays a major role in the field of drug users' rights through various forms of services. Many non governmental organizations directly or indirectly care for drug users, their equality and non discrimination based on their status, through advocacy, for the consistent respect of the guaranteed human freedoms and rights.