International Drug Policy Consortium June Information Alert

The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) is a global network of 26 NGOs and professional networks that specialise in issues related to illegal drug production and use. The Consortium aims to promote objective and open debate on the effectiveness, direction and content of drug policies at national and international level, and supports evidence-based policies that are effective in reducing drug-related harm. It disseminates the reports of its member organisations about particular drug-related matters, and offers expert consultancy services to policymakers and officials around the world.

The following reports have been published in recent weeks, and can be downloaded from the Consortium website (http://www.idpc.info/)

IDPC POSITION PAPER - DRUG POLICY OBJECTIVES SHOULD INCREASINGLY FOCUS ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF DRUG USE. This position paper explains the thinking behind the IDPC call for a refocusing of high-level drug policy objectives.
http://www.idpc.info/docs/IDPC_Position2_June07.pdf

IDPC POSITION PAPER - EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE SUPPLY OF DRUGS SHOULD NOT FOCUS ON THE PUNISHMENT OF GROWERS. This position paper outlines the IDPC view that programmes, such as forced eradication, that criminalise those involved in the cultivation of illicit crops are ineffective and counterproductive, and that source country strategies should focus more clearly on development and poverty reduction goals.
http://www.idpc.info/docs/IDPC_Position3_June07.pdf

IDPC POSITION PAPER - THE UN SYSTEM SHOULD DEVELOP A MORE CO-ORDINATED APPROACH TO DRUG POLICY ISSUES. This position paper describes the many ways in which the current UN system for dealing with problems related to illegal drugs is incoherent, and sets out suggestions on how the system could become more co-ordinated and effective.
http://www.idpc.info/docs/IDPC_Position5_June07.pdf

WOLA Report on Coca Prices in the USA - "CONNECTING THE DOTS". This report, from the Washington Office on Latin America, analyses the most recent US government figures on prices of Coca and Cocaine in wholesale and retail markets, identifying a recent reduction in prices.
http://www.idpc.info/docs/WOLA_CTD_April2007.pdf

International Harm Reduction Association - "50 BEST RESOURCES ON POLICING AND HARM REDUCTION". The latest in IHRA's "50 Best" series focuses on the role that police forces can play in supporting harm reduction initiatives.
http://www.ihra.net/50BestCollectionsOverview

Report of the 2007 Wilton Park Conference on Global Drug Policy. "HOW CAN INTERNATIONAL DRUG POLICIES SUCCEED?". This is the report of the 2007 Wilton Park conference on drug policy, covering speeches and discussion amongst an invited group of senior policymakers, diplomats and academics.
http://www.idpc.info/docs/WiltonPK_DPSucceed_March2007.pdf

"AN ANALYSIS OF UK DRUG POLICY". Peter Reuter and Alex Stevens, on behalf of the UK Drug Policy Commission. This is the executive summary of a report prepared for the launch of the Commission, that reviews progress against the objectives of the UK Government's 10 year national drug strategy.
http://www.idpc.info/docs/UKDPC_DP_review_May2007_EN.pdf

"SAFETY FIRST". A toolkit produced by the Drug Policy Alliance, that provides an alternative approach to "Just Say No" approaches to drug education and prevention.
http://www.idpc.info/docs/SafetyFirst_teensanddrugs_May2007_EN.pdf

"FIRST GLOBAL FORUM OF PRODUCERS OF CROPS DECLARED TO BE ILLICIT". This is the first announcement of a conference, to be held in February 2008, that will bring together representatives of groups involved in the cultivation of crops controlled under the UN Conventions.
English version: http://www.idpc.info/docs/IPC_Illicit_Crops_May07_EN.pdf
Spanish version: http://www.idpc.info/docs/IPC_Illicit_Crops_May07_ES.pdf
French version: http://www.idpc.info/docs/IPC_Illicit_Crops_May07_FR.pdf

"A DIALOGUE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST ON SOCIAL WORK". This conference, to be held in Shanghai, China on 28/29 October 2007, aims to bring together social work professionals from East and West to compare approaches.
http://www.idpc.info/docs/ECUST_PapersCall_May2007_EN.pdf

The conference of "POLICING DRUGS ON THE STREETS OF EUROPE", Warsaw, Poland, 12-14 September 2007 offers mid-ranking police officers an opportunity to meet, share best practice and learn about innovative operational initiatives. The conference is organised by IWR Associates, and is supported by the Association of Chief Police Officers, the UK Home Office and Europol. For further details and to book your place, go to the dedicated conference website at:http://www.policingdrugs.com/