IDPC July 2010 Alert
Welcome to the IDPC July 2010 Alert. The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) is a global network of NGOs and professional networks that work together to promote objective and open debate on drug policy. This Alert contains news, updates on the latest publications and upcoming events relevant to international drug policy, along with a special section on the 18th International AIDS Conference that took place in mid-July in Vienna, Austria.
AIDS 2010: Mainstreaming drug policy reform The 18th International AIDS Conference took place in Vienna from 18 to 23 July 2010. The conference brought together some 20,000 policy makers, people living with HIV, scientists, researchers, clinicians and advocates – all committed to halting the spread of HIV. Many issues were highlighted throughout the conference but there was one clear unifying call to address the criminalisation of key population groups most at risk from HIV – namely sex workers, men who have sex with men and people who use drugs.
In the opening plenary, Anya Sarang, director of the Andrey Rylkov Foundation for Health and Social Justice, gave a rousing address that criticised Russia's drug policy, highlighted the human costs of the war on drugs and called for a drug policy based on human rights and harm reduction. Watch Anya's address.
The Rapporteur's session provides an overview of the conference highlights.
The Vienna Declaration – Sign up now!
The Vienna Declaration is the official declaration of AIDS 2010, and calls for drug policies that are based on scientific evidence rather than ideology. More specifically, the Declaration calls for the decriminalisation of drug use and the meaningful involvement of affected communities in developing policies and programmes. As of today there are over 14,000 signatories including ex-President of Brazil, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Michel Kazatchkine, the Executive Director of the Global Fund, and the First Lady of Georgia, Sandra Roelofs. The Lancet has also published the Declaration, launching a special edition dedicated to drug use, HIV and human rights at AIDS 2010. The Declaration is a live call and signatures will continue to be collected in the lead up to the next International AIDS Conference that will take place in Washington D.C. in 2012. Sign the Vienna Declaration. Drug Policy Networking Zone – Know your drug war
IDPC and Transform Drug Policy Foundation co-hosted the Drug Policy Networking Zone – a busy and dynamic space that was shared with the Harm Reduction and Human Rights Networking Zones. The key message of the Drug Policy Networking Zone was a call to consider the costs of the dominant approach to drug control both in monetary and human terms. The week-long event included panel discussions put together by IDPC members such as Release, the Malaysian AIDS Council, Intercambios and the Correlation Network, and other partners such as the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, the International Doctors for Healthy Drug Policies and the International Center for Science in Drug Policy. Discussions were lively and varied and involved topics as diverse as law enforcement and harm reduction, advocacy strategies, reform of the UN Drug Control Conventions and the possibilities for a regulated drugs market. IDPC launched the Drug Policy Guide in two sessions and was proud to disseminate the newly published Russian version of the Guide. See Transform's photo blog of the zone.
After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation
Transform re-launched 'Blueprint for Regulation' in two sessions, with Steve Rolles looking beyond the issues relating to the criminalisation of users and HIV to the problems created by the illegality of drug production and availability. The British Medical Journal also published a special edition to coincide with AIDS 2010 titled: 'Drug users and HIV: treat don't punish' and included an article by Steve Rolles on drug policy alternatives. Read more.
News
IDPC new policy principles now available online!
IDPC is delighted to announce that we have updated our website content and reviewed our policy principles to summarise our members' shared position towards drug policy, in accordance with the IDPC Drug Policy Guide. For more information, visit the IDPC website.
TNI & WOLA launch website highlights the human toll of the 'war on drugs' in Latin America
The Transnational Institute (TNI) and the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) have launched a new website to provide up-to-date analysis of trends in drug policy reform and videos that show the human face of drug laws' collateral damage in Latin America.
New webpage on cocaine production and trafficking in the Andes Region
The Centro de Investigación 'Drogas y Derechos Humanos' (CIDDH) has developed a webpage in which the organisation intends to provide a virtual analytical, graphical and cartographic tour of the various locations involving cocaine trafficking in the Andes Region.
Global Commission on HIV and the Law - Get in at the start to influence its agenda!
The Global Commission on HIV & the Law, established in June 2010, is working with the World AIDS Campaign to ensure meaningful civil society engagement. The World AIDS Campaign has begun this process with a call for submissions on issues of priority for the Commission. The deadline for submission is 5th September 2010.
Speaking out for communities affected by HIV – UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board NGO Annual Report
The NGO Delegation to the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) focused its report and consultation around civil society experiences of stigma and discrimination. This video presents excerpts of the presentation of the UNAIDS PCB NGO Delegation, followed by a slide show from the NGO Delegation and Observers at the UNAIDS PCB in June 2010. Read the NGO report.
NGO Delegation to the UNAIDS Program Coordinating Board seeks new members
The NGO Delegation to the UNAIDS Program Coordinating Board (PCB), which represents the perspectives of civil society, is currently recruiting new members. The deadline for applications is 16 August 2010. For more information visit the PCB website.
Launch of the European Harm Reduction Network
The European Harm Reduction Network (EuroHRN) was recently launched to reduce the health and social harms related to drugs and the policy environment, by promoting the human rights and health of people who use drugs through collective advocacy, research and information exchange. To join please go to the EuroHRN website or email maria.phelan@ihra.net.
IHRA 'Complicity or Abolition?' report and the Early Day Motion
A very important Early Day Motion is being circulated in Parliament in response to the International Harm Reduction Association report, 'Complicity or Abolition? The Death Penalty and International Support for Drug Enforcement'. As IHRA recommended in its report, the motion 'calls on the Government to review its policies on funding for drug enforcement activities in countries which retain the death penalty.'
Methadone Man and Buprenorphine Babe – A new campaign to promote substitution therapy
This campaign aims to raise awareness on the importance of harm reduction policies and to reduce the stigma surrounding opioid substitution therapy. The campaign features two superheroes, Methadone Man and Buprenorphine Babe, who work together to help injecting drug users in distress and promote substitution therapy on a global scale. For more information, visit the campaign website.
2010 Italian Report on Drug Addictions shows decrease in drug use prevalence, but figures are not reliable
The 2010 Report on Drug Addictions, presented a few weeks ago to the Italian Parliament by Mr Berlusconi's Drug Czar Carlo Giovanardi, contains data that have triggered hot debates, and ironical comments from professionals working in the drugs field. Read more.
Latest Publications
IDPC Drug Policy Guide now available in Russian
This publication, aimed at national policy makers, was created thanks to the collaborative effort of IDPC expert members and partners, and brings together global evidence and best practices on the design and implementation of drug policies and programmes at national level. The Guide is now available in English, Spanish and Russian.
IDPC Magazine – Law enforcement attitudes towards drugs in South East Europe and Eurasia
This second edition of the IDPC magazine, created in collaboration with TalkingDrugs features interviews with police officers from South East Europe and Eurasia, who were asked to express their views on their countries' law enforcement strategies, which in these regions often tend to focus on arresting drug users for possession of small amounts of illegal substances. Read the magazine.
Heroin assisted treatment, the state of play – IDPC Briefing paper
This IDPC briefing paper explores the question of heroin assisted treatment, examines the growing body of evidence emerging from its clinical use in addiction therapies, and makes recommendations for policy makers. Read the paper.
UNODC toolkit for HIV situation and needs assessment in prisons
This toolkit published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) provides information and guidance on conducting situation and needs assessments for the prevention and treatment of HIV infection and tuberculosis in prisons, and aims to help governments set more specific targets for achieving the universal access of prisoners to evidence-based HIV prevention, treatment, care and support interventions. Read the toolkit.
Good practice guide: HIV and drug use, community responses to injecting drug use and HIV
This Guide produced by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance aims to support the scale up of community-based HIV and harm reduction programmes in developing and transitional countries. It looks at practice and research and sets out an approach to programming at the community level where communities are fighting poverty, rapid social change, inequality and sometimes restrictive political cultures. Read the guide.
Good practice guide: greater involvement of people living with HIV
This Guide, produced by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), contains information, strategies and resources to support programme officers in enabling meaningful involvement of people living with HIV in new and existing HIV programmes. Read the guide.
A strategy to halt and reverse the HIV epidemic among people who inject drugs in Asia and the Pacific 2010-2015 – WHO, UNAIDS, UNODC, Global Fund & ANPUD Report
This regional strategy is a roadmap for Member States, civil society and development agencies on how to successfully address the HIV epidemic among people who inject drugs in Asia and the Pacific. Read the report.
From coercion to cohesion: treating drug dependence through healthcare, not punishment - UNODC Discussion paper
This discussion paper promotes a health-oriented approach to drug dependence. It outlines a model of referral from the criminal justice system to the treatment system that is more effective than compulsory treatment, which results in less restriction of liberty, is less stigmatising and offers better prospects for the future of the individual and the society. Read the paper.
What can we learn from the Portuguese decriminalisation of illicit drugs?
Drawing upon independent evaluations and interviews conducted with 13 key stakeholders in 2007 and 2009, this paper critically analyses the criminal justice and health impacts against trends from neighbouring Spain and Italy. It concludes that contrary to predictions, the Portuguese decriminalisation did not lead to major increases in drug use. Read the paper.
Argentina: reform on the way? TNI Series on Legislative Reform of Drug policies
In August 2009, the Argentina Supreme Court declared legislation criminalising drug possession for personal consumption as unconstitutional. This TNI briefing discusses the background of that decision, the small steps taken since, but argues that there is still much to do before a genuine reform agenda can be implemented. Read the paper.
A matter of substance: Fighting drug trafficking with a susbance-oriented approach - TNI Series on Legislative Reform of Drug Policies
This TNI paper discusses the "substance-oriented approach" Dutch authorities implemented to to scare off potential small-scale cocaine smugglers. The focus was on the drugs, rather than the couriers, and on incapacitating the smuggling route, rather than deterrence by incarceration. Read the paper.
EHRN Drug Policy Position Paper
This Eurasian Harm Reduction Network position paper is based on an evidence-informed approach and promotes the respect, observance and protection of human rights. Read the paper in English and Russian.
New report recommends extensive legislative reform in 6 Central Asian countries to address HIV in prisons among people who inject drugs
This report provides recommendations to governments for legislative and policy reform to strengthen the national response to HIV and improve accessibility of evidence-based HIV services for people who use drugs and incarcerated people. Further recommendations aim to ensure that UN and other international aid organisations support countries in implementing such reforms. Read the report in English or its executive summary in Russian.
Comprehensive HIV prevention for people who inject drugs – PEPFAR report
This PEPFAR document serves as an update to the previous policy and technical guidance on the development of HIV prevention-focused programmes for people who inject drugs in an effort to reduce their risk of HIV acquisition and transmission. Read more.
Why overdose prevention matters for HIV – EHRN/OSI fact sheet
This document, prepared by overdose experts Matt Curtis and Nab Dasgupta for the Open Society Institute and the Eurasian Harm Reduction Network, presents evidence and arguments that organisations can make to AIDS funders to show that overdose prevention and response matter for HIV programming. Read the fact sheet in English and Russian.
Young people's recommendations for addiction prevention policy paper
The 'Young People's Recommendations for Addiction Prevention Policy Paper' was compiled by the Drug Policy Programme of Espolea through a series of workshops, in order to build on the current drug policy debate and contribute to the engagement of young people in dialogue around prevention, harm reduction, treatment and law enforcement. Read the paper in English and Spanish.
Lowering the threshold: models of accessible methadone and buprenorphine treatment
This report from the Open Society Institute documents low-threshold methadone and buprenorphine programmes – that is, programmes that seek, in the spirit of harm reduction, to meet patients "where they're at" and minimise bureaucratic requirements. The report is now available in Russian.
Upcoming Events
2nd Latin American Conference on Drug Policy
26 - 27 Aug 2010, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Intercambios, in association with Psicotropicus, will bring together public officials, scholars, advocates, and professionals to debate drug policy. The Conference hopes to send a regional call to leave behind repressive policies and to tackle drug-related issues from a health and human rights perspective. For more information, visit the conference website.
Advanced seminar on amphetamine use for Eastern Europe and Central Asia
1 - 3 Sept 2010, Prague, Czech Republic
This three-day training is designed to assist public health professionals in acquiring an understanding of work with stimulant users and will equip them with the skills required to analyse the local drug situation with respect to the types of stimulant drugs. Read more.
Correlation Seminar - Building capacities on hepatitis C virus: A training for trainers
22 - 24 Sep 2010, Budapest, Hungary
The main objective of this Correlation pilot training is to test the training tool and receive feedback from potential users of the tool. Such feedback is crucial to ensure that the tool is being used and is adapted to the needs of the target group. The training tool will be completed based on the feedback from Correlation partners, the results of the training and the participants' evaluation. Read more.
5th Adriatic Drug Addiction Treatment Conference
30 Sept - 2 Oct 2010, Ohrid, Macedonia
The South Eastern European and Adriatic Addiction Treatment Network (SEEA net) 2010 Conference will focus on drug dependence treatment with co-morbidity and cooperation with existent drug prevention and treatment services, medical, social and other services and NGOs in the region, treatment of hepatitis C, different praxis through the region and treatment in prisons. For more information, visit the conference website.
Urban Drug Policies in the Globalised World
30 Sep 2010 - 2 Oct 2010, Prague, Czech Republic
Discussions at the Conference will bring up burning questions and recent developments in the field of urban drug policy and related interventions. For more information, visit the conference website.
10th International Colloquium of Human Rights
9 - 16 Oct 2010, São Paulo, Brazil
This Colloquium, organised by Conectas Human Rights, will focus on the following topic: "Regional and International Human Rights Systems: Challenges for Civil Society Participation". For more information, visit the conference website.
Recovery Conference - Addiction: the case for recovery in a changing world
17 Nov 2010, London, UK
Participants will discuss the evidence base for drug and alcohol recovery models and what the implications are for therapeutic interventions. Using examples of best practice the Conference will explore how drug treatment systems can gear up for the increased demand for recovery options from the public, the political support for recovery options, and how to make this possible within the economic climate. For more information, visit the conference website.
8th National Harm Reduction Conference: Harm Reduction Beyond Borders!
18 - 21 Nov 2010, Austin, Texas, USA
The Conference will bring together approximately 1,000 drug users, ex-drug users, researchers, sex workers, social workers, doctors, politicians and community organizers from around the United States to share perspectives on Harm Reduction. For more information, visit the conference website.
Correlation Seminar – Standards of outreach work with young people in Europe: what works, what doesn't?
18 - 20 Nov 2010, Prague, Czech Republic
This seminar organised by Correlation will focus on the current state of affairs regarding outreach work and early intervention. Read more.
Correlation Seminar – HIV/AIDS policy recommendations, reduce existing health inequalities in the EU
29 - 30 Nov 2010, Brussels, Belgium
The objective of the seminar organised by Correlation is to stimulate the dialogue, dissemination and advocacy relating to HIV and health inequalities in Europe. Read more.
Correlation Seminar – Training event & presentation of a new social intervention tool for online outreach
17 - 19 Mar 2011, Padova, Italy
Correlation's main goal is to train participants in the use and implementation of the Social Intervention Tool within their own organisation. The training will focus on different aspects of the use of online strategies, including practical use of the SIT, online communication methods and conversation techniques, and guidelines for successful implementation. Read more. |
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