October 2009

UN Special Rapporteur calls for decriminalisation and an end to compulsory treatment

At a conference on international human rights in Hanoi, Anand Grover, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, called for the decriminalisation of drug use and an end to compulsory drug rehabilitation camps in Asia.  He said compulsory treatment amounted to "keeping sick people jailed" and that criminalising drug use "hinders the right to health of all persons." 

At a conference on international human rights in Hanoi, Anand Grover, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, called for the decriminalisation of drug use and an end to compulsory drug rehabilitation camps in Asia.
Added on 27 October 2009

US and Bolivia - Déjà Vu All Over Again: "Decertification" Memorandum of Justification inaccurate and misleading

On September 15, the Obama administration submitted the Memorandum of Justification explaining their decision to name Bolivia as a country that "failed demonstrably... to adhere to their obligations under international counternarcotics agreements" for the second year in a row. Once again the determination presents inaccurate, poorly prepared information, further complicated by confusing language.

On September 15, the Obama administration submitted the Memorandum of Justification explaining their decision to name Bolivia as a country that "failed demonstrably... to adhere to their obligations under international counternarcotics agreements" for the second year in a row. Once again the determination presents inaccurate, poorly prepared information, further complicated by confusing language.
Added on 23 October 2009

Indonesia adopts new repressive narcotics law

A new Narcotics Law was adopted by the Parliament in Jakarta in September 2009. Although a careful textual analysis of the legislation is still needed, it is clear that the political considerations far outweighed sensible drug policy arguments in the adoption process, which is reflected in the texts. As a consequence, the new law did not represent a move away from a repressive approach to drugs and their use towards a more considerate and complex legislation. At the same time with the adoption of the Narcotics Law, a new health law was passed by the legislative assembly.

Indonesia has adopted a new narcotics law that once again clearly prioritises a law enforcement approach over public health and human rights considerations. The law has been criticised by HIV/AIDS, harm reduction and rights-focused NGOs for being seriously flawed in its construction and disproportionately severe in its implementation.
Added on 23 October 2009

3rd UNAIDS Asia Pacific Monitoring and Evaluation Meeting

Approximately 100 participants from across Asia and the Pacific met in Bangkok from 28 September to 2 October to take part in the third UNAIDS Asia Pacific M&E meeting. Participants were invited to discuss preparations for the upcoming UNGASS on HIV as well as how to strengthen M&E among key affected populations, including injecting drug users.

Approximately 100 participants from across Asia and the Pacific met in Bangkok from 28 September to 2 October to take part in the third UNAIDS Asia Pacific M&E meeting. Participants were invited to discuss preparations for the upcoming UNGASS on HIV as well as how to strengthen M&E among key affected populations, including injecting drug users.
Added on 23 October 2009

Asian drug users unite to form regional organisation

Over twenty-five drug users from nine different countries met in Bangkok on 16th and 17th October 2009 to finalize the Asian Network of People who Use Drugs (ANPUD) Constitution and elect a Steering Committee for the first regional network of people who use drugs. Based on the principles of Meaningful Involvement of People who Use Drugs (MIPUD), ANPUD has been setup by people who use drugs to advocate for the rights and unify the voices of their communities across Asia.

Over twenty-five drug users from nine different countries met in Bangkok on 16th and 17th October 2009 to finalize the Asian Network of People who Use Drugs (ANPUD).
Added on 23 October 2009

Launch of ‘After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation’

Transform Drug Policy Foundation will launch their internationally groundbreaking book ‘After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation’ on 12th November 2009 at 11.15am, at the House of Commons, London and at 11.00am at the DPA Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The book is also being launched in mainland Europe, South America, Australasia and Asia.

Transform Drug Policy Foundation are to launch their internationally groundbreaking book, ‘After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation’ on 12th November 2009 in London, UK and Albuquerque,New Mexico. The book is also being launched in mainland Europe, South America, Australasia and Asia.
Added on 23 October 2009

IHRA release new position statement defining harm reduction

The International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) has recently released a detailed position statement on the definition of ‘harm reduction’, which outlines a set of underlying principles that best describe this approach. Although the term ‘harm reduction’ has been widely used since the 1980s, there has always been some debate regarding the exact definition. More recently, this has led to concerns that some organisations may hijack the term to justify interventions and policies which would not normally be classed as harm reduction.

IHRA releases a new definition of harm reduction.
Added on 23 October 2009

Call for effective law on access to medicines for developing countries

Two leading NGOs are making the case before Parliamentarians that Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime (CAMR) must be changed.

The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) are making the case in Canada for an effective law on access to medicines for patients in the developing world.
Added on 23 October 2009

Protest against overcrowding in Italian prisons

Italian prisons are severely overcrowded. A document endorsed by major organizations urges the Government to implement treatment alternatives to imprisonment for drug addicts.

Italian prisons are severely overcrowded. About 65,000 men and women are presently secluded beyond every limit of capacity, and half of them are under custody for drug-related offences. This summer inmates broke the silence and raised their voice to protest against their condition.

Italian prisons are severely overcrowded. A document endorsed by major organizations urges the Government to implement treatment alternatives to imprisonment for drug addicts.
Added on 23 October 2009

EU Council agrees on the need to apply common measures to prevent or delay the onset of drug use, including poly-drug use

The Council calls for action based on the EU Drugs Action Plan for 2009-2012, which sets as a main priority the reduction of the demand for drugs, and the health and social consequences of drug use by improving the coverage, quality and effectiveness of services of prevention, treatment and harm reduction.  See the full conclusions below.

The Council calls for action based on the EU Drugs Action Plan for 2009-2012, which sets as a main priority the reduction of the demand for drugs, and the health and social consequences of drug use by improving the coverage, quality and effectiveness of services of prevention, treatment and harm reduction.
Added on 23 October 2009