Since the 1980s, the United Nations has pursued a demand-reduction approach to drug control alongside its ongoing focus on supply reduction. This shift was largely a response to the adverse consequences that arose from the repressive strategies targeting the drug supply. This article, through a documentary and library-based analysis, examines the UN’s policies and orientations regarding drug control. It explores the reasons behind the failure of the supply-oriented approach and outlines the key elements of the UN’s demand-focused strategy, as well as the rationale for adopting it. The outcomes of the supply-side approach have often fallen short of expectations and, in some cases, have even contradicted the organization’s primary objectives. With the growing emphasis on human rights both within the United Nations and globally, drug control policies have increasingly come under the influence of human rights discourse, shaping the UN’s evolving approach to combating drug-related issues.