July 2009

US House of Representatives remove ban on needle exchange

 

The US House of Representatives have voted in favour of lifting the ban on the use of US federal funds for needle exchange by a vote of 218 - 211.  There are still some challenges ahead in this process but this is an important step in US government policy towards the endorsement of evidence-based harm reduction measures. Speaker Nancy Pelosi made the following statement: 

"Sound science is an essential component of good public health policy, and the scientific support for needle exchange could not be more clear.

The US House of Representatives have voted in favour of lifting the ban on the use of US federal funds for needle exchange. Challenges remain but this is an important step in changing US public policy on harm reduction measures.
Added on 27 July 2009

UNAIDS and Global Fund speak out for a coherent strategy on drug policy at IDPC side event

Michel Sidibe, Executive Director of UNAIDS and Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund joined Damon Barrett (IHRA) and Mike Trace (IDPC) at a side event in the margins of the high-level segment calling for greater coherence within the UN system on the issue of drug policy, with particular reference to HIV prevention for people who inject drugs.  The event was co-sponsored by IHRA and Human Rights Watch.

Michel Sidibe, Executive Director of UNAIDS and Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund call for greater coherence within the UN system on the issue of drug policy, with particular reference to HIV prevention for people who inject drugs.
Added on 15 July 2009

Series of videos available from the New Zealand Drug Foundation

The New Zealand Drug Foundation has produced a series of videos which are now published on their YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/nzdrugfoundation).  The clips are edited highlights from the February 2009 International Drug Policy Symposium: "Through the maze - Healthy drug law"

The New Zealand Drug Foundation has produced a series of videos which are now published on their YouTube channel.
Added on 15 July 2009

The Netherlands reviews its tolerant approach to drug policy

Limit the sale of cannabis to local users, reconsider the distinction between hard and soft drugs, raise the legal age for drinking alcohol from 16 to 18 and appoint a drug czar to overlook policies. These are the most striking recommendations published on Thursday by a committee chaired by Christian democrat Wim van de Donk.

A Dutch review of national drug policy has called for a number of key changes and focuses on four key points: concern about drug use among young people (particularly the very young), a more restrictive approach to coffee shops, tougher measures against organised crime and the establishment of a drugs authority.
Added on 15 July 2009

US announces change of policy in Afghanistan

 

At a side event of the recent G8 meeting of Foreign Ministers, the US envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, described what seems like a significant shift in US tactics towards opium poppy cultivation and trafficking in Afghanistan.
Added on 5 July 2009

DS Daily - DrugScope launch a daily drug and alcohol news service

DrugScope have launched DS Daily, a new daily drug and alcohol news service. The service will operate every weekday, plus you can subscribe to a weekly email which will provides a summary of the week's news.

Subscribe at http://www.dsdaily.org.uk/

DrugScope have launched DS Daily, a new daily drug and alcohol news service.
Added on 15 July 2009