The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child reviewed Sweden’s latest report on implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on June 12th. The Committee applauded Sweden’s reported drug prevention efforts, however it also raised concerns about absence of harm reduction among young people.

The Committee expressed concern about the “limited treatment possibilities” for young people under 18 years in Sweden. It stressed and that there are no statistics on the number of heavy drug users below 18 years of age or on how many of them are injecting drugs. Large number of children who suffer as a result of their parents’ drug abuse remains a problem too.

It is important to stress that the content of recommendations to Sweden from the Committee is different from its previous statements on the issue of drug use among children and young people. The Committee calls the Government of Sweden to strengthen efforts to provide children and parents with accurate and objective information about the harmful consequences of substance use. It also calls to ensure the provision of necessary evidence-based support, recovery and reintegration services to all children affected by substance use.

The whole Conclusion of the Committee on the Rights of the Child is available in English.

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