Welcome to the IDPC April 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.
IDPC has recently published a comprehensive Drug Policy Guide which brings together global evidence and best practices on the design and implementation of drug policies and programmes at the national level. The Guide is now available in English and Spanish on our website.
News
Italian government’s position on harm reduction raises controversies among NGOs During the negotiations on an EU resolution in view of the 2010 Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the Italian government challenged the European position on the definition of 'harm reduction', which has led to important debates between the Italian Drug Policy Department and a group of Italian NGOs. The controversy was reported in the Italian national paper Il Manifesto, and Italian NGOs issued a common statement on the topic. Read full statement.
The dark side of drug policies - Scholarships for journalists The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union is now calling for applicants to the 'Dark Side of Drug Policies' scholarship for journalists who are prepared to work on an investigative report about a specific problem generated by drug policies in their countries. The aim of the scholarship is to raise media awareness on the consequences of drug control policies at the local or national level.
Become a fan of the new Facebook page on methadone Welcome to the new Facebook fan page dedicated to methadone. This page aims to encourage collaboration among NGOs in order to attract media attention and engage the public in the struggle around access to opioid substitution therapy worldwide.
IDPC Drug Policy Guide now available in Spanish This is the first edition of the IDPC Drug Policy Guide aimed at national government policy makers. This publication is a collaborative effort by a number of IDPC 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 on our website in English and Spanish.
IDPC Briefing Paper - Jar wars: the question of schools-based drug testing This briefing paper examines the use of schools-based drug testing, analysing its underlying assumptions, its ethical dimensions and the research so far conducted into its practical application. It explores whether this tactic should have in prevention and harm reduction strategies. Read the full paper.
Report of the 53rd Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) now online As usual, the report does not give a full flavour of the debate and goings-on at the 2010 CND. However, the report does contain the final texts of all the resolutions adopted during the proceedings. Compared to previous years, there has been a clear movement towards human rights within the texts of the resolutions on both the demand reduction and supply reduction sides. Read the full report.
UNODC Discussion Paper – From coercion to cohesion: treating drug dependence through healthcare, not punishment 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 full paper.
Do needle-exchange programmes really work? Reporting in the journal Addiction, Canadian researchers say that based on their review of available literature on needle-exchange programmes - an analysis of five previous reviews of needle-exchange programmes - the evidence for the programmes' effectiveness is weaker than generally thought. On the other hand, there was strong evidence across the reviews that needle-exchange programmes reduce the sharing or reuse of dirty needles, and no evidence of harmful effects. Read the full article.
Decriminalisation - a former Commissioner for Narcotics of India looks at Portugal and compares In many countries, drug addiction and trafficking have only increased, despite high levels of incarceration. In Portugal, where decriminalization was adopted in 2000: “jails have emptied out, enforcement has more time to follow the main traffickers." As a result of needle sharing, HIV infection is said to have been reduced to zero in 2007, and the prevalence of drug use has decreased. Deaths reportedly were reduced 60% by 2007, and treatment is promptly available to all who seek it. Read the full article.
EMCDDA scientific monograph - Harm reduction: evidence, impacts and challenges The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction's 10th scientific monograph provides a comprehensive overview of the harm reduction field. The monograph provides an overview of the emergence of harm reduction and its diffusion, the current evidence and impacts of harm reduction, and the current challenges and innovations in the drug policy field. The monograph is directed at policymakers, healthcare professionals working with drug users, and the wider interested public. Read the full report.
Remembering people who use drugs on World TB Day Worldwide, over 1 million people die from TB each year. People who inject drugs and people in prisons are disproportionately affected by this curable disease. They are also less likely than the general population to have access to TB diagnosis and treatment. To read more about World TB Day (March, 24th 2010) and work around the world on increasing access to TB services, visit the Stop TB Partnership’s website.
Upcoming events
The art of the possible: advancing drug policy reforms in Latin America 6 May 2010, Washington D.C., USA The Washington Office on Latin America, the Transnational Institute and George Washington University's Latin American & Hemispheric Studies Programme are organising a conference on drug policy debates and reforms underway in Latin America on Thursday, 6 May from 9:00am to 1:00pm. The event will feature government officials and legislators from South America discussing national-level reforms, as well as experts addressing cross-cutting themes such as harm reduction, law enforcement, human rights and cannabis policy. For more information, visit the conference website.
The Club Health Conference 2010 7 - 9 June 2010, Zurich, Switzerland The Club Health Conference 2010 is geared towards those working on public health, substance use, sexual health, violence prevention, policing and criminal justice, tourism, nightlife industries, transport, environmental health, general practice and therapy. The call for abstracts will be open until 28 February 2010. For more information, visit the conference website.
2nd CONNECTIONS European Conference – Drugs, alcohol and criminal justice: ethics, effectiveness and economic of interventions 24 - 25 June 2010, London, UK The University of Kent is delighted to announce the Second European Conference of the CONNECTIONS Project, organised by the Conference Consortium and supported by Drink and Drugs News and Napo. The conference will look at a range of interventions and treatments, from harm reduction to drug free ‘recovery’ in the criminal justice system. The premise is that no one treatment modality can deal effectively with the complex range of presented need. The task of the conference is to discuss and debate how best the different components can be combined most effectively. For more information, visit the conference website.
'Rights Here, Right Now' – XVIII International AIDS Conference 18 Jul 2010 - 23 Jul 2010, Vienna, Austria The XVIII International AIDS Conference will take place in Vienna in July of this year. The abstract deadline is 10th February 2010 and the deadline for satellite session proposals is 31st March 2010. For more information, visit the conference website.
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. Click here for more information.
8th National Harm Reduction Conference – Harm Reduction Beyond Borders! 18 Nov 2010 - 21 Nov 2010, Austin, Texas, USA This November, the 8th National Harm Reduction 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.
Mark Haden currently works for Vancouver Coastal Health, Addiction Services, and has worked in detox, methadone and outpatient settings in both counseling and supervisory roles for over 20 years. Mark is a pivotal voice in the drug policy reform movement, providing viable, coherent models for reforming drug education and regulating markets for currently illegal substances.
Mark's listserv has become an invaluable hub of information about drug policy and reform efforts. This blog will serve as an archive for future mailings.
0 comments:
Post a Comment