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From: tdpf_news-l-bounces@gn.apc.org [mailto:tdpf_news-l-bounces@gn.apc.org] On Behalf Of Monthly newsletter from Transform Drug Policy Foundation
Sent: Friday, January 08, 2010 8:28 AM
To: tdpf_news-l@gn.apc.org
Subject: [Transform News] December Newsletter
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| Transform News - December 2009 | Briefings | Support | Donate | Media Blog |
" This is the most thorough, evidence-based, balanced discussion of how we might move towards a more rational drugs control policy that I have seen. It should be compulsory reading for all our policy makers. " Contents1. Transform News
2. UK News
3. International News
4. Upcoming events
International launch of ' After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation ' Transform Drug Policy Foundation held an international launch for the groundbreaking new book 'After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation' , on the 12th November 2009, in the House of Commons. The book was also launched in Scotland, the US, Australia and Mexico, and will be launched in Brazil later this year. Speakers at the House of Commons included: Ms. Robin Gorna, (Executive Director of the International AIDS Society), Professor Rod Morgan (former Chair of the Youth Justice Board) and Dr Ben Goldacre (Guardian 'Bad Science' Columnist). Attendees at the launch included academics, MPs, diplomats, and representatives of NGOs. Rod Morgan, Professor Emeritus of Criminal Justice, former HM Chief Inspector of Probation, and Chairman of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales put it: "This is the most thorough, evidence-based, balanced discussion of how we might move towards a more rational drugs control policy that I have seen. It should be compulsory reading for all our policy makers." For the first time anywhere, ' Blueprint ' provides a detailed roadmap showing how currently prohibited drugs could be legally regulated. It proposes specific models of regulation, based on already existing models, for each drug preparation, coupled with the principles and rationale for doing so. The models include prescriptions, pharmacy sales, licensed premises and off-license sales. The book was received to critical acclaim and has gained a large volume of high quality media coverage in the UK and internationally, including CNN , BBC , the Guardian , the Independent and the Economist .
Steve Rolles, Caroline Pringle, Robin Gorna, Dr Ben Goldacre and Prof. Rod Morgan
The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU) produces a short film about 'Blueprint' Peter Sarosi from HCLU has produced this short film featuring Transform's new publication 'After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation', filmed at the recent DPA conference in Albuquerque. Steve Rolles provided evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee hearing Steve Rolles gave oral evidence at the Home Affairs Select Committee cocaine inquiry on 20th October. He appeared alongside Neil McKeganey from Glasgow University and was questioned by the committee on various aspects of cocaine production, supply and use. Steve Rolles spoke in the Netherlands Steve Rolles attended and spoke at the 7th Informal Drug Policy Dialogue in Amsterdam held between 10-12th December.
UK government makes three more drugs illegal Three drugs were prohibited on 23 rd December; a synthetic cannabinoid often sold as 'spice', the synthetic stimulant benzylpiperazine ( BZP) , and the synthetic sedative gammabutyrolactone ( GBL) which also happens to be an industrial solvent. All have been brought within the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, GBL and BZP becoming class C drugs (subject to penalties of up to 2 years prison for possession or 14 years in prison for supply) whilst 'Spice' becomes a Class B (subject to up to 5 years in prison for possession or 14 years for supply). For more information read the Transform blog here . The Economist highlights Home Office suppression of Transform's FOI request The Economist magazine has printed Part V of Transform's long running campaign to force the Government to release its publicly funded research into the effectiveness of UK drug policy. "After thinking about it for nearly two years and trying out various exemptions, the Home Office has refused to release a confidential assessment of its anti-drugs strategy requested by Transform. The reason is that next March the National Audit Office (NAO), a public-spending watchdog, is due to publish a report of its own on local efforts to combat drugs. The Home Office says that to have two reports about drugs out at the same time might confuse the public, and for this reason it is going to keep its report under wraps." "That's really scraping the barrel. On those grounds you would have to ban the various hospital reports that are coming out at the moment because the public are confused about that too. It's not an argument for censorship, it's an argument for an even more open and clear debate." The Home Office was making "a quite ridiculous attempt to hide from freedom of information," he said.
US lifts ban on funding of needle exchanges On the 13th December, the US Senate passed a spending bill that will allow for federal funding of syringe exchanges for the first time since 1988. The bill also removed the restriction, proposed earlier in the year by the House, which would have prohibited provision of sterile syringes within 1,000 feet of a school or playground. For more information, click here . US House of Representatives establishes an independent commission on drug policy In December a bill in the US Congress made surprisingly smooth progress through the House of Representatives on its way to the Senate, where it is now under consideration. The bill establishes a Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Commission which will have two million dollars to investigate and research independently of the political process in order to, "review and evaluate United States policy regarding illicit drug supply reduction and interdiction". Danny also met with members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to discuss 'Blueprint'. For more information read our blog here .
Danny to speak in Copenhagen Danny was due to give a presentation to Danish parliamentarians, the Danish media and NGOs on 6th - 7th January. Due to the extreme weather he was unable to attend, but he gave his presentation by video instead. If anyone wants a copy of the presentation, contact us for a video version that can be emailed out. Danny to speak at Cumberland Lodge Residential Conference Danny has been invited to speak at the ' Drugs and Harm: A New Agenda for a New Government? ' conference held at Cumberland Lodge over 27 th - 29th January. The conference " will examine the question of how best to minimise the harm caused by the use of drugs in the UK ." | ||||
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