IDPC December 2010 Alert
Welcome to the IDPC December 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.
Top stories
News
IDPC/MAC Seminar - Options for the management of drug using offenders
This seminar, co-organised by IDPC and the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC), provided the opportunity to share experiences from different countries and encourage new thinking at a time where the Malaysian government has already successfully implemented harm reduction measures and is in the process of scaling these up. Read more.
Asian launch of the Lancet Special Series on HIV in People Who Use Drugs
This Series draws attention to the issues around the growing HIV epidemic in people who use drugs, including tackling the myths surrounding HIV and people who use drugs, and subjects as diverse as women and drugs to the effect of amphetamines, alcohol, and human rights on the epidemic. Read more.
Former Polish President and other prominent figures call for drug liberalisation in Poland
Signatories of the open letter urge the government to advance proceedings on amendments to the drug policy bill that has now reached the parliament. Read more.
IDPC participates to training course on the prevention of discrimination in Switzerland
In December 2010, IDPC participated to a training course organised by the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. The training aimed to raise awareness of human rights and the right to health among Swiss professionals specialised in health, addictions and vulnerable populations. Read more.
‘Access to HIV services is a right for drug users', states UNODC Executive Director
At the occasion of World AIDS Day on 1st December 2010, the UNODC Executive Director raised awareness of the need to target drug users in the fight to combat the HIV epidemic. Read more.
'NGOs a vital link in fight against drugs', says UNODC Executive Director
During the appointment of the new chairperson of the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs, Mr. Fedotov, the UNODC Executive Director, declared: 'To tackle drugs, we need to keep constant contact with on the ground knowledge and expertise. Our main partner NGOs provide that context and support our work from the local to the global level'. Read more.
A War on Drugs: A War on People - Facebook Campaign!
IDPC, along with a number of organisations, marked Human Rights Day 2010 by launching “A War on Drugs: A War on People” Facebook campaign. Each month the page will highlight a different type of human rights abuse carried out under the drug prohibition regime. Please help us by spreading the word and joining the movement!
UK's former Drugs and Defence Minister calls for drug legalisation
Bob Ainsworth MP, former Home Office drugs minister and Secretary of State for Defence, called for the legalisation and regulation of drugs during a Parliamentary debate he was leading in Westminster Hall, London, on 16th December 2010. Read more.
Youth RISE recruits volunteers for its 'International Working Group'
Youth RISE, the global youth-led network for reducing the risks and harms associated with substance use – is seeking volunteers from around the world to join their ‘International Working Group’ (IWG) in 2010. The deadline for applications is 27th December 2010. Read more.
Publications
Executive summary of IDPC Drug Policy Guide now available in 6 languages!
The Executive Summary of the IDPC Drug Policy Guide is now available in English, Czech, French, Italian, Russian and Spanish. The full version of the Guide can be downloaded on our website in English, Russian and Spanish.
Systems overload: Drug laws and prisons in Latin America - TNI/WOLA Report
This comparative study, conducted by the Transnational Institute (TNI) and the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) on the impact of drug policies on the prison systems of eight Latin American countries reveals that drug laws have contributed to the prison crises these countries are experiencing. Read more.
IDPC Report on South East Europe Drug Policy Network Meeting, Ohrid, Macedonia
Throughout 2010, IDPC has developed a South East Europe drug policy Network. This session was attended by 27 participants, both from NGOs and national governments and focused on two topics: harm reduction, and the Roma population. This report summarises the main discussions that took place during the seminar. Read the report. UNAIDS report on the global AIDS epidemic 2010 now available online!
Based on the latest data from 182 countries, this global reference book provides comprehensive analysis on the AIDS epidemic and response. Read the report.
Independent reference group to the UN calls for evidence-based approach to address HIV among IDUs
In this Consensus Statement, the Reference Group to the United Nations on HIV and Injecting Drug Use identifies key regional issues of concern and outlines recommendations for action. Read the report.
South East Asia opium survey 2010: LAO PDR, Myanmar - UNODC Report
Combining the UNODC Lao PDR and Myanmar Opium Surveys, as well as information on poppy cultivation in Thailand from that country's Office of the Narcotics Control Board, the Survey points to rising levels of opium poppy cultivation across all three countries. Read the report.
Breaking the silence - In search for Colombia's disappearances
In this report, the Latin America Working Group Education Fund and the US Office on Colombia highlight that the military aid that the U.S. government provided—and continues to provide—to Colombia strengthened an army that was responsible for thousands of forced disappearances and extrajudicial executions and has collaborated with, or at least turned a blind eye to, paramilitary violence that escalated as U.S. aid flowed. Read the report.
Drugs – Alternatives to the ‘war’
Thanks to his experience in the field, Col. Jorge da Silva is certain that repressive policies to control drug use is not only inefficient, but it is also the cause of the serious public security problems in countries like Colombia, Mexico and Brazil. Read the paper.
The limits of equivalence: Ethical dilemmas in providing care in drug detention centres
For organisations offering health education, food, or even life-saving medical care inside drug detention centres, what are the limits of providing ethical care, without risking legitimising the system or building its capacity to detain more people? This report explores how organisations might weigh the risks and benefits of their engagement. Read the report.
Opioid substitution therapy in Central Asia: Towards diverse and effective treatment - EHRN Report
New research provided by the Eurasian Harm Reduction Network (EHRN) shows that in countries of the Central Asia, shows that in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan only 5% of the estimated IDU population has got access to the OST. The report concludes that drug policies are the key constrain to the access to medical care for drug users. Similar conclusions have been reached in a mission report entitled 'State-of-the-art of opiate substitution treatment and necessary supportive structures for scaling-up'. The EHRN report is available in English and Russian.
Events
First IDPC drug policy Seminar in the Middle East and North Africa
3 - 4 Jan 2011, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The seminar, co-organised by IDPC and the National Rehabilitation Centre in Abu Dhabi will aim to examine the current state of drug policies in the region, identify key areas for discussion and improvement, and agree on a method of working together to developing networking and advocacy activities. Read more.
Democracy, cities and drugs conference - New challenges, new solutions
23 - 25 Feb 2011, Vienna, Austria
The partners of the Democracy, Cities & Drugs II project will hold the conference 'New challenges, New solutions' in Vienna on 23-25 February 2011. The deadline for submitting abstracts is on 20 December 2010. For more information, visit the conference website.
10th Stapleford International Addiction Conference
25 - 28 Feb 2011, Athens, Greece
This is the only conference focusing on treatment with pharmacological and behavioural antagonists. The participants are invited to submit abstracts for oral or poster presentations on topics related to treatment. For more information, visit the conference website.
Seminar on social intervention tools 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.
22nd International Harm Reduction Conference: ‘Building capacity, redressing neglect’
3 - 7 Apr 2011, Beirut, Lebanon
The 2011 conference will have a strong focus on building the skills and capacity of civil society organisations in harm reduction implementation and advocacy, and will highlight the particular needs of women who use drugs and other marginalised populations within the overall harm reduction response. For more information, visit the conference website.
32nd Annual International Human Rights Training Programme
5 - 24 Jun 2011, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
The 32nd International Human Rights Training Programme, organised by Equitas, will aim to strengthen the capacity of human rights organisations to undertake educational efforts aimed at building a global culture of human rights. Read more.
6th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention
17 - 20 Jul 2011, Rome, Italy
Registration and abstract submissions to the 6th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2011) are now open. Delegates are encouraged to register by 24 February 2010. For more information, visit the conference website. |
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