Harm Reduction International, the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA), the Association of Women Affected by HIV/AIDS and Their Family Members “Demetra”, Coalition “I Can Live”, Support Foundation “Rigra” and youth-led NGO “Young Wave” welcome the opportunity to submit information to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) regarding the List of Issues for the forthcoming review of Lithuania by the Committee.

Focusing on the right to health, this submission will highlight the failure of the Government of Lithuania to implement the State program on drugs, tobacco and alcohol control for 2018–2028 in line with its obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), with particular attention to:

• Repressive drug policy as a barrier to achieving the realization of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health for people who use drugs in Lithuania
• Access to health services for people who use drugs in prison
• Lack of health care, harm reduction and psychological support services in the community (outside prisons) for people who use drugs