Drug Foundation - International

Get active in drug policy

Ross — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +1300

Hot topics: alcohol | drug law review

The Government and its agencies, Parliament and other organisations often seek comment and input into drug policy issues. This might be in the form of consultations or inviting submissions to select committees, or seeking expert comment on draft policies.

The ultimate price: The death penalty for drug offences

Ross — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:49:41 +1300

Over the course of two weeks in November 2007, Vietnamese courts condemned 35 people to death for drug related offences [1]. It was such a flurry of death sentences that even the media became interested after having ignored the issue for so long.

According to Amnesty International, the death penalty has been abolished in law or practice in 133 states. Of the 64 states that continue to use capital punishment, nearly half have legislation applying the death penalty for drug related offences. Rick Lines illustrates how this ultimate breach of human rights is used by many countries as punishment for drug users and traffickers.

Over the past 20 years, there has been a remarkable trend towards the abolition of capital punishment worldwide. Yet, during this same period, the number of countries expanding the application of the death penalty to include drug offences has increased from 22 in 1985, to 26 in 1995, to at least 34 by the end of 2000 [2]. The majority of these countries are in the Middle East, North Africa and the Asia Pacific region, and in some, drug offences can carry a mandatory sentence of death.[3]

"Beyond 2008" NGO Questionnaire

Ross — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:52:44 +1300

Release date:

20 Nov 2007

Media release summary:

Media release:

In June 1998, the UN General Assembly met in a Special Session to address the world drug problem. This was the first time that the General Assembly met solely to focus on drug issues. This event was also unique in that the General Assembly, for the first time, assigned the same level of importance to demand reduction as other components of drug control. The Session culminated in the adoption of a Political Declaration committing some 150 states to the achievement of significant and measurable results in reduction of illicit supply and demand for drugs by the year 2008. Two other resolutions were adopted dealing with Guiding Principles of Demand Reduction and Measures to Enhance International Cooperation to Counter the Drug Problem.

Apart from the Member States' commitments and pledges adopted on June 10, 1998; the General Assembly, directly or indirectly, called upon NGOs to work closely with governments and others in assessing the drug problem, identifying viable solutions and implementing appropriate policies and programmes.

NGO engagement

The Vienna NGO Committee has rich history and experience in convening major international NGO events that have contributed to global drug policy priority setting and decision making. These include the 1st NGO Forum organized by the Vienna NGO Committee in September 1986 with the financial assistance of the Swedish government. This was a preparatory conference for the 1987 International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (ICDAIT). The NGOs worked in a series of workshops to produce documents on key themes: prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, etc.

A 2nd NGO Forum took place in June of 1987 in conjunction with ICDAIT. This forum saw a representation of approximately 200 NGOs. The organizing Committee for this event was solely composed by NGO representatives, four from the Vienna Committee and three from the New York Committee. In addition to the success of these two Forums, these events also saw an active representation from several government delegates and a direct influence by the NGO community concerning decisions being incorporated to the CMO.

A 3rd NGO Forum took place in Bangkok in December 1994, with financial assistance of the UNDCP and the Thai government. The organization for this event was carried out in joint partnership with UNDCP and the NGO Committees in Vienna and New York.

Finally, the Vienna NGO Committee organized an NGO Village in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on Drugs in 1998. This resulted in an active exchange of views amongst various NGO's along with an address to the UNGASS Plenary Session by six NGO's representing different points of view.

Beyond 2008

The upcoming target date of 2008 for the achievement of "significant and measurable results" presents an opportunity for the NGO community to reflect on its own achievements in drug control, exchange ideas on promising new approaches, reach agreements on ways to work together and make recommendations to multilateral agencies and UN member states on future directions for drug control. Moreover, this target date is a unique opportunity for NGOs to rethink current collaboration mechanisms with UN agencies with a view to establishing a more effective partnership. Building on their past experience, the Vienna NGO Committee is hosting a 4th International NGO Forum to contribute to the 1998-2008 review and forward looking agenda setting exercise.

Working with the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and numerous governments, the 4th International NGO Forum is meant to substantively contribute the voice of civil society to the singular most important global drug policy review and priority-setting effort. Given the scores of views on how to best address drug problems today, the Forum will strive to represent a broad range of experience and contributions. It is also well acknowledged that drug policy spans a vast ideological continuum and this is no different when it comes to the NGO's associated with that work. That said, the purpose of the Forum is to focus on the valued added benefit of NGO's themselves regardless of their ideological stripe. As such, all efforts will be undertaken so that every stage of the Forum's development, deliberations and follow-through, will provide a balanced representation among participating NGO's.

Objectives/deliverables:

The 4th International NGO Forum will focus on three keys areas.

To highlight tangible NGO achievements in the field of drug control, with particular emphasis on contributions to the 1998 UNGASS Action Plan such as achievement in policy, community engagement, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and social-reintegration.
To review best practices related to collaboration mechanisms among NGOs, governments and UN agencies in various fields of endeavour and propose new and/or improved ways of working with the UNODC and CND.
To adopt a series of high order principles, drawn from the Conventions and their commentaries that would be tabled with the UNODC and CND for their consideration and serve as a guide for future deliberations on drug policy matters.

More specifically, this will include the development of an instrument (questionnaire) to canvass NGOs involved in drug control as a means of collecting information towards the goals identified in the 1998 UNGASS Action Plan. A series of semi-structured interviews would also be conducted with key NGO informants to obtain more detailed insights on gaps and ideas for future direction. In addition there would be a review of other NGO/UN consultation mechanisms with a view to recommending a new more systematic and substantive process for NGO contributions to CND and UNODC. A thorough review of the Conventions, their commentaries and other relevant document would be examined to identify a series of guiding principles for consideration and discussion by Forum participants. Finally, a complete report would be prepared for tabling with CND, UNODC and other appropriate actors.

Complete the NGO questionnaire

The NGO Questionnaire aims to collect data from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) about their involvement in drug-related activities in the period since the United Nations General Assembly held a special session to consider the global drug problem in 1998. NGOs are important contributors in the provision of drug demand reduction services and alternative development and key players in policy advocacy and development.

We want this to be the largest global survey ever carried out on the work of NGOs in the drugs field. With this data we will have have a major source of information which can contribute to a review of achievement to date and help to identify ways forward.

Please let us have your knowledge and experience by completing the NGO Questionnaire now. You should know that the questionnaire will take 30 minutes to complete and you will need specific information about your organisation. The good news is that you can answer part of the questionnaire in one session and then come back another time to complete the questionnaire.

International Drug Policy Consortium August Information Alert

Ross — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 08:59:58 +1200

Release date:

3 Aug 2007

Media release summary:

Monthly update on international drug policy issues.

Media release:

The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) is a global network of 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) Please forward this alert to anyone on your email networks with an interest in drug policies.

IDPC Briefing Paper Number 6 - The World Drug Report 2007.
This IDPC Briefing reviews the data in the latest report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime on the state of the global market, criticises the claims made in the report that international action is successfully controlling the market, and questions the political objectivity of the UNODC as we approach the review of the global objectives set in 1998.
http://www.idpc.info/docs/IDPC_BP06_WorldDrugRpt2007_EN.pdf

Beckley Report 12 - Prisons and Drugs.
The latest report from the Beckley Foundation Drug Policy Programme describes the high rates of drug problems in all prison systems, summarises the current state of global knowledge and research evidence, and provides a guide for policymakers on how to develop effective policies and programmes in this area.
http://www.idpc.info/docs/Beckley_RPT12_Prisons_Drugs_EN.pdf

Beckley Briefing Paper 12 - The Australian "heroin shortage" six years on: what, if any, are the implications for drug policy?
This briefing paper summarizes the results of research into the consequences of the so-called Australian "heroin shortage" in 2001 and reviews the continuing debate about its causes and policy significance.
http://www.idpc.info/docs/Beckley_BP12_AusHeroinShortage_EN.pdf

Transnational Institute Drug Policy Briefing No 22 - Colombia Coca Cultivation Survey Results - A Question of Methods.
Despite 2006 witnessing the most intensive use of fumigation in the country's history, some 157,200 hectares of cultivation were detected, 13,200 hectares more than in 2005. Is the fumigation strategy failing?
http://www.tni.org/detail_page.phtml?&act_id=17020

Opium Jihad. Martin Jelsma and Tom Kramer - Red Pepper, June 2007. With Afghanistan now responsible for more than 90 per cent of the world's opium production, there is massive international pressure for repressive policies. But quick-fix solutions like opium bans and eradication don't work, write Martin Jelsma and Tom Kramer, who report back from Afghanistan on the rising anger of poor farmers on the front line.
http://www.tni.org/detail_page.phtml?&act_id=17028

International Harm Reduction Association - The Ultimate Price.
This article by Rick Lines describes the global situation regarding the death penalty for drug-related offences. Although there has been an emerging international trend away from capital punishment in general, more and more "retentionist" countries are expanding the death penalty to include drug offences - and even drug possession itself. This article (from Druglink magazine - the bi-monthly publication from DrugScope in the UK) outlines how the death penalty for drug offences can be seen as a violation of international law and human rights.
http://www.ihra.net/uploads/downloads/NewsItems/Lines-DrugLink0707.pdf

International Harm Reduction Association - Policing Harm.
This article by Jamie Bridge describes the impact that policing practice can have on harm reduction approaches - as well as the efforts that have been made to engage law enforcement personnel in harm reduction interventions and training. The article (from Druglink magazine - the bi-monthly publication from DrugScope in the UK) is adapted from the "50 Best Resources on Policing and Harm Reduction" - IHRA's free resource collection which is available at: www.ihra.net/policing.
http://www.ihra.net/50BestCollectionsOverview http://www.ihra.net/uploads/downloads/NewsItems/Bridge-DrugLink0607.pdf

International Harm Reduction Association - The Works Party Comedown
This article by Jamie Bridge describes some of the issues and problems facing needle exchange services and staff in the UK. An audit of needle exchanges in the UK showed the extent of the "postcode lottery" that exists in terms of service coverage and quality. The article (from Druglink magazine - the bi-monthly publication from DrugScope in the UK) describes what needs to be done in order to take needle exchange into the next era and rise to the challenges of rising HIV and hepatitis C prevalence amongst the country's injecting drug users.
http://www.ihra.net/uploads/downloads/NewsItems/Bridge-DrugLink0906.pdf

Reality Check on Coca in the Andes - WOLA BRIEFING, JUNE 2007
The latest ONDCP data on coca cultivation in the Andes makes one thing clear: there is plenty of coca. Overall Andean coca cultivation in 2006 may have reached its highest level in 20 years. The high coca cultivation levels, especially in Colombia, indicate continued robust cocaine supplies and provide no reason to expect imminent reductions in U.S. cocaine availability. This report provides a detailed analysis of the 2006 ONDCP coca cultivation figures with helpful charts and graphics.
http://www.wola.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=viewp&id=457&Itemid=2

Reforming the Ranks: Drug-Related Violence and the Need for Police Reform in Mexico. WOLA Briefing, July 2007.
Mexico's accelerating drug violence has highlighted the limits of police effectiveness and the problems of police corruption. At least 1,400 people have died in attacks since January 2007, figures that far exceed those for the same period in 2006 and 2005. The Calderón government has been quick to call out troops but slow to start the necessary process of professionalizing police forces. Long-term remedies to drug-related violence require strong, accountable police forces - with the support and trust of the civilian population.
http://www.wola.org/media/Drug%20violence%20and%20police%20reform%20report.pdf

The IDPC also wish to publicise the following events and conferences that are of interest to individuals and organisations engaged in drug policy issues:

HARM REDUCTION 2008: IHRA's 19th International Conference. The latest in the series of global gatherings to review the state of harm reduction services, exchange best practices, and plan for the future.11 - 15 May 2008; Barcelona, Spain.
http://www.ihra.net/Barcelona/Home

2007 INTERNATIONAL DRUG POLICY REFORM CONFERENCE - NEW ORLEANS, DECEMBER 5-8. The International Drug Policy Reform Conference is the world's principal gathering of people who believe the war on drugs is doing more harm than good. No better opportunity exists to learn about drug policy and to strategize and mobilize for reform.
http://kessjones.com:80/conf07

"BEYOND 2008" REGIONAL FORUMS.
This series of conferences is designed to facilitate regional discussion between NGOs that will feed into a global forum in July 2008, that itself will formulate the official NGO presentation to the UN global review of drug policy scheduled for 2009. The following regional session has been confirmed:
SOUTH-EAST ASIA , EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC - MACAU, 31st October to 1st November 2007.
Conferences in other regions are currently being planned. For latest updates, visit
http://www.vngoc.org

FIFTH NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DRUG POLICY.
This conference, to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 27/28 August 2007, aims to promote an informed debate on drug issues in order to strengthen public opinion towards drug policies alternative to prohibition. The conference is organised by Intercambios Civil Association, and is supported by the National Agency for Scientific and Technological Advances of the Argentine Ministry of Education.
http://www.intercambios.org.ar

SOUTH EAST ASIA REGIONAL FORUM ON AMPHETAMINE-TYPE STIMULANTS.
Manila, the Philippines, 29-31 August 2007. The Forum addresses the current state of the ATS problem in Asia, assesses responses and future possibilities. For further details please contact Mr Jeremy Douglas (jeremy.douglas@unodc.org) or Mr Gerson Bergeth (gerson.bergeth@unodc.org) and visit http://www.apaic.org/

Alcohol, poverty and development

Catherine — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:55:32 +1200

The use of alcohol presents a dual challenge in developing societies. Alcohol related problems, including addiction, family violence and so on, become an additional burden on families and communities already struggling with poverty. Perversely, experience shows that, once developing societies have begun to reduce poverty problems and create economic growth, alcohol consumption tends to rise, with a corresponding rise in related harm. In this guest editorial, Øystein Bakke introduces us to these issues.

Alcohol has long been in use in most societies throughout history. Normally its use has been regulated by traditions and social norms concerning when, how and by whom it should be consumed. In many locations, however, traditional production is still going on, and new alcoholic products and drinking patterns are compounding already existing problems.

International Drug Policy Consortium June Information Alert

Ross — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:34:22 +1200

Release date:

12 Jun 2007

Media release summary:

Media release:

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/

Inquiry into New Zealand’s relationships with South Pacific (Submission)

Catherine — Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 +1200

The Drug Foundation is concerned about the widespread harms caused by drugs in New Zealand communities; the biggest harms are being caused by our legal drugs – alcohol and tobacco. Alcohol and tobacco cause serious problems on a global scale.

Making a dramatic impact?

Catherine — Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 +1200

New Zealand prides itself for punching above its weight on the world stage. Ashley Bloomfield argues we play an important role in the international response to tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs.

“All the World’s a Stage and all the men and women merely players” - William Shakespeare’s As You Like It (II, vii, 139-143)

Health Select Committee report on the WHO framework convention on tobacco control December 2003

Catherine — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 09:43:19 +1300

International treaty examination of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (11 December 2003)

The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control represents an important step towards addressing the rise in tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. The objective of the Convention and its protocols is to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental, and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke by providing a framework for tobacco control measures. The framework is to be implemented by parties at the national, regional, and international level in order to reduce continual and substantial tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke.