Current drug policies continue to have negative health and social impact in CEECA, and also to result in human rights violations, corruption and emergence of new drugs. This negative impact is regarded as a side effect or unintended consequences of zero tolerance policy and criminalization of drug use and drug possession.

High-level decision-makers may not always understand links between police raids and increased overdose mortality. They may not know how criminalization of drug use may lead to police violence against women. The relation between the lack of state support for substitution treatment programs and high HIV mortality rates may be also unclear to those who are in charge of drug policy on the country level.

EHRN encourages you to make these links known to your countries' decision-makers by a strong regional action. Document and submit online examples of 

Based on your submissions, EHRN will produce educational and advocacy materials which you can use in the process of preparation for UNGASS on Drugs and your further drug policy advocacy work.

To submit your examples of unintended consequences of drug policies, please fill in this questionnaire.

Keep up-to-date with drug policy developments by subscribing to the IDPC Monthly Alert.

Survey: Share your examples of unintended consequences!

The “War on Drugs” has failed and we all know it, but the stories of why and how it will end are just beginning to be told. That is why Global Exchange is hosting an international video contest, as part of our Peace, Life and Justice Caravan project We want to hear your story, and those of your community!

We invite you to create a 1-3 minute original video on the drug war’s impact in your community and what people are (or aren’t) doing about it. Convey to an international audience the urgency for action to end the drug war tragedy.

The creators of the top 3 videos will win great prizes:

First prize: A chance to join the Caravan as part of the audiovisual team in charge of the documentation of the Caravan for Peace, Life, and Justice, March 28th until April 19th, 2016, from Honduras to New York, with all expenses paid, including airfare, accommodations, transportation, and food!

Upload your video to YouTube and send us the link at caravana2016@gmail.com by March 8, 2016 and generate “votes” in the form of social media shares and likes through March 13, 2016. Winners will be announced March 16, 2016. Details below Your story will be part of the growing movement to end the war on drugs!!

The objective of the Caravan is to open a necessary debate about the war on drugs, promoting a paradigm shift in which governments’ actions cannot be limited to the use of violence while leaving behind fundamental aspects such as education, prevention, public health programs, and real measures against money laundering and the corrupting power of the mafias that control the high-level drug trade.

Each country holds histories of people that reflect concretely the challenges that we face as societies with respect to our drug policies, such as: the stigmatization and persecution of peasant farmers; the drastic penalties against people who sell small amounts of drugs while the large cartels remain intact; the incarceration, murder, and attacks against migrants, young people and people living in poverty who appear as “perfect culprits”; the moral double standard of societies which tolerate the disproportionate use of alcohol but impede information and education about other substances, while recriminating and persecuting the people who use those substances; and the stigmatization of ancestral cultures that use substances and plants that could be alternative treatments for different ailments.

Because it is of great importance to know these stories in order to amplify the perspectives around such a complex issue, which needs to be analyzed from all possible angles, the Caravan for Peace, Life, and Justice is launching an international video contest about drugs and human rights.

The videos will be shared on the Caravan website, on the Strutta website, and through the social networks Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, in order to receive the impressions of the general public (which will be part of the selection criteria); the author is free to share far and wide on their social media platforms.

Videos can be sent from January 28th until (11:59pm) on March 8th, 2016. (The time of submission will be determined by the local time of the sent email.)

Videos can be voted on until (11:59pm) of March 13th, 2016.

The winners will be announced on March 16th, 2016.

Winners will be contacted in order to validate prizes.

Click here to find further information about the selection criterias and the participation form.

International video contest on drugs and human rights

In my experience, good public policy is best shaped by the dispassionate analysis of what in practice has worked, or not. Policy based on common assumptions and popular sentiments can become a recipe for mistaken prescriptions and misguided interventions.

Nowhere is this divorce between rhetoric and reality more evident than in the formulation of global drug policies, where too often emotions and ideology rather than evidence have prevailed.

Take the case of the medical use of cannabis. By looking carefully at the evidence from the United States, we now know that legalizing the use of cannabis for medical purposes has not, as opponents argued, led to an increase in its use by teenagers. By contrast, there has been a near tripling of American deaths from heroin overdoses between 2010 and 2013, even though the law and its severe punishments remain unchanged.

This year, between April 19 and 21, the United Nations General Assembly will hold a special session on drugs and the world will have a chance to change course. As we approach that event, we need to ask ourselves if we are on the right policy path. More specifically, how do we deal with what the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has called the "unintended consequences" of the policies of the last 50 years, which have helped, among other things, to create a vast, international criminal market in drugs that fuels violence, corruption and instability? Just think of the 16,000 murders in Mexico in 2013, many of which are directly linked to drug trafficking.

Kofi Annan on why it's time to legalise drugs

It wasn’t until several years after the birth of the couple's daughter that they learned the mother had contracted the hepatitis C virus (HCV) during an operation shortly after her pregnancy.

They also soon learned that, in Kyrgyzstan, the best options for treating hepatitis C were only for the rich—an effective medicine called Pegasys (pegylated interferon) would cost as much as $25,000 for the treatment cycle. But help came in the nick of time—a representative from Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Health was going to India to secure access to an affordable generic version of sofosbuvir, a new hepatitis C treatment. After a month of treatment on these generics, the mother's viral load was down to zero.

They were lucky—there are 220,000 other people in Kyrgyzstan infected with hepatitis C, the vast majority of whom can’t afford $25,000 worth of treatment.

Sofosbuvir is on the WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines. At the end of 2015, three generic versions of this high-efficiency drug were registered in the Kyrgyz Republic. Two versions are made in India and one in Egypt, all permitted by Gilead Sciences, the drug company holding the patent. Supply of these generics in Kyrgyzstan is planned for the near future.

The introduction of the Egyptian drug was made possible by amendments to Kyrgyzstan’s patent law, which were adopted by the parliament after advocacy work by patients suffering from hepatitis C, as well as civil society organizations, including the Open Society Foundations.

The amendments to the patent law not only helped to resolve the issue of HCV treatment, but will also facilitate the supply of high-quality generic drugs for the treatment of cancers, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and other diseases in the future. The previous revision of the law had made it impossible to import high-quality generic versions of drugs protected by manufacturers’ patents. High-quality generics have the same efficiency as “original” drugs, but are affordable for far more patients.

When we began this work in 2011, we were criticized by various organizations and experts who said that HCV treatment will always be expensive for patients in poor countries. But beginning this year, a full three-month HCV treatment course of generic sofosbuvir will cost about $1,000—a small fraction of the cycle of branded pegylated interferon. In addition, the sofosbuvir generics have fewer side effects and are easier to administer than pegylated interferon’s intramuscular injection. Moreover, the new drugs boast 95 percent curability of any HCV genotype, whereas the old treatment regimen curability rate was as low as 45 percent.

Patient organizations and the Open Society Foundations will continue working to reduce drug prices and to secure state funding for treatment of vulnerable groups. The lives of people suffering from HCV and other diseases shouldn’t hang in the balance when affordable generic medicines are merely a legislative victory away.

Kyrgyzstan’s long fight for generic drugs is finally paying off

The Special Session of the General Assembly on the World Drug Problem (UNGASS 2016) will be convened from 19 – 21 April 2016 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The UNGASS will feature a general debate plenary and five interactive, multi-stakeholder round tables conducted in parallel with the plenary.

A selection process is now open to identify speakers from civil society, the scientific community, academia, youth groups and other relevant stakeholders that may participate in the special session. Eleven (11) speakers will be selected: six (6) for the plenary and five (5) - one for each of the interactive round tables. Please note that travel funding is available for speakers chosen through this process. The final selection of speakers will be made by the Office of the President of the General Assembly, in collaboration with the Civil Society Task Force (CSTF) for UNGASS 2016. For more information on the CSTF, please click here.

The following criteria will be used when selecting speakers:

Must represent an organization actively working in the drug field and be authorized to speak on behalf of that organization;

Geographical balance and in the case of equal qualification, representatives from the Global South will be prioritised;

Thematic balance in terms of approaches to drug policies;

The call is open to representatives of ECOSOC and non-ECOSOC accredited NGOs.

In addition, selected representatives must:

be able to speak compellingly within the context of an intergovernmental plenary or the respective round table;

be available to be in New York on 19 April;

have a visa for travel to New York, if applicable, or be able to obtain one within 4 weeks for travel to New York. The selected speakers will be responsible for obtaining the visa for travel and for any costs associated with obtaining the visa.

To apply to speak at UNGASS 2016, please complete the form available here.

For more information about the special session, please visit the website.

Keep up-to-date with drug policy developments by subscribing to the IDPC Monthly Alert.

Applications for speakers at the Special Session of the General Assembly on the World Drug Problem (UNGASS 2016) now open

In 2001 the use of all drugs was decriminalised meaning possession of drugs was now identified as a public health issue rather than a criminal offence. Today, whilst drugs remain illegal, users do not receive a criminal record and are instead referred to rehabilitation and treatment programmes. Drug related deaths, HIV infection rates and use of legal highs are at an all-time low.

This edition of My Perfect Country traces the development of the policy over the last 15 years and asks whether other countries should use this model for their own legislation on drug control. The architect of Portugal’s policy Joao Goulao explains how the policy was implemented and Doctor Rodrigo Coutinho explains how it was taken on by health services. Our roving ambassador hears from the volunteers of mobile units that doesn’t wait for patients to come to them and hears emotional recovery stories from former users. The My Perfect Country panel of presenter Fi Glover, academic Henrietta Moore, professor Alex Stevens from Kent University of Tony Duffin of the Ana Liffey drug project in Ireland discuss how far Portugal’s policy has been successful and whether it would work in the perfect country.

My perfect country: Portugal

In April, the world will come together to talk about drugs. The United Nations will host a General Assembly Special Session on Drugs (UNGASS), the most significant high-level international drug policy event in almost two decades. At the last UNGASS in 1998, the international community met under the slogan "A drug free world - We can do it!" and committed itself to this unrealistic goal. Fortunately, we've come a long way since then. This time, when global leaders meet at the UN to discuss drugs once again, the farce of a drug free world will be far away. Influential voices from around the world are calling for new approaches to drug policy, countries and cities are experimenting with innovative reforms, and a global movement has emerged calling for an end to the failed prohibitionist policies of the past. From April 18 to 21, people from all over the world will be descending upon New York City to demand change.

The UN shapes international drug policy. National drug laws must adhere to three UN treaties on drugs that prohibit the production and supply of certain drugs, and criminalize people who use them. The most significant of these treaties, the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, was ratified in 1961, over half a century ago. These treaties represent an outdated framework from a bygone time. There is ample evidence of the overwhelming failure of drug prohibition, and the human costs associated with it. This includes mass incarceration for drug offenses in the US, hundreds of thousands killed in drug war violence in Latin America, insufficient access to treatment and harm reduction services around the world, environments and livelihoods destroyed in forced crop eradication, and thousands executed for drug offenses, not to mention the fact that neither drug use nor supply has diminished.

At the 1998 UNGASS, instead of using the opportunity to critically evaluate the global drug control regime, countries decided to perpetuate the failed policies of the past. But things have since shifted. There is growing consensus even within the UN that these policies do not work. And we have a strong movement of individuals and groups affected by the war on drugs that will come to NY in April to appeal to the UN to use the historic opportunity of this UNGASS to charter a different path for international drug policy. These groups will be rallying under Stop the Harm, a diverse, broad, and powerful movement of organizations from around the world who have united around one common purpose: rectifying the catastrophic failures of the current global drug policy regime through campaigning for a new course firmly grounded in health, compassion, and human rights.

The war on drugs takes a center stage at the United Nations as global leaders and international activists assemble in NY

The initial text of the recommendation called on the municipality to implement this measure "immediately" but the wording was eventually changed at the request of Members of Citizens For Lisbon. Also, it was added that civil society and professional service providers working in the area should be consulted before the opening of DCRs.

On behalf of BE, James Ivo Cruz stressed that the measure "is unanimously embraced by professionals," and has already been introduced "in more than 70 towns and cities." The representative regretted the delay in implementing this initiative in Lisbon.

The president of the Board of the Lumiar district, who is supposed to open the first drug consumption room, stressed that "it is essential" to have the support of the community living next to these services. "We have to win over the community to support the cause," said Pedro Delgado Alves, who emphasised that in his case it has been already achieved.

He said that in his neighborhood in Lumiar, residents are often confronted with people using drugs on the stairways of buildings. "It is a dramatic reality," noted Pedro Delgado Alves.

He explained that the creation of a consumption room in the area of Alta de Lisboa has been planned by the Drug Group of the Social Committee of the Lumiar District, with the involvement of local institutions and organisations such as the General-Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviors and Dependencies (SICAD), a governmental agency coordinating drug policies in Portugal.

The recommendation divided the Social Democratic Party (PSD): one deputy voted against, five abstained, and the rest voted in favor. The Conservative People's Party (CDS) and the centre-right Green Party (MPT) abstained, while Socialists (PS) and other parties voted in favor.

The municipals assembly of Lisbon decided to open drug consumption rooms as soon as possible

, African Experts and practitioners talks about the problematic issue of drug use. They call for support for the drug users instead of punishing them. The documentary also features reformed drug users sharing their experiences on how rehabilitation centres have helped them to come out of their addiction. Drug policy must be grounded on human rights and public health.

Support Don't Punish drug users in West Africa - Ghana Chapter

Representatives from the cities met in Bern on Thursday to discuss how to regulate the sale of cannabis, which is illegal to possess in Switzerland.

If the project is accepted up to 2,000 people will be able to legally use cannabis in the venues - a small share of the 500,000 people who smoke marijuana in Switzerland despite the threat of prison time and fines, 

The projects are proposed to run over four years and will be scientifically monitored, SRF said. Implementation of the clubs, however, is still subject to approval by cantonal governments and the federal office of public health.

Reports of so-called "clubs" offering “state-certified” cannabis for personal use have been circulating since 2014. It has previously been suggested the venues would be adult-only and called “associations of cannabis users”, according to 

At present cannabis bought illegally on the “black market” cannot be taxed by the state, Snadro Cattacin, sociology professor at the University of Geneva an Geneva representatives told SFR. Neither can the government place controls on cannabis products or conduct proper prevention programmes - problems the proposed clubs hope to counter.

According to previous reports, other benefits of the proposed scheme include greater control of elements such as the level of THC, an active ingredient in cannabis, and the use of pesticides.

The proposed pilot plan would also authorise the controlled use of cannabis for young people and adults suffering from problems linked to the drug.

The use and possession of cannabis remains illegal in Switzerland, although enforcement differs widely across the country.

According to the Federal Law on Drugs in Switzerland, production, culture, use and possession of cannabis is punishable by up to three years in prison.

The government liberalised its policies with a law that took effect in October 2013 making the possession of small amounts of cannabis punishable by a set fine of 100 Swiss francs.

The change aimed to reduce the 30,000 or so cannabis-related cases clogging Swiss courts annually.

‘Cannabis clubs’ may be opening in four Swiss cities

CANBERRA, Australia — Australian lawmakers committed on Wednesday to legalize the growing of marijuana for medical use within a part of the world renowned for zero-tolerance and harsh penalties for illegal drugs. The government introduced a bill to Parliament that would amend the Narcotics Drugs Act 1967 and create a licensing scheme for growing medicinal cannabis. Marijuana is currently illegal throughout Australia, but two states are considering making the drug available for therapeutic uses.

“This government understands that there are some Australians suffering from severe conditions for which cannabis may have applications and we want to enable access to the most effective medical treatments available,” Health Minister Sussan Ley told Parliament. The bill is guaranteed to become law, with the main opposition party immediately pledging support.

Southeast Asia has some of the world’s toughest drug laws. Indonesia, Australia’s nearest neighbor after Papua New Guinea, created a diplomatic rift last year by rejecting Australian pleas to spare the lives of two Australian heroin traffickers. The Australians were among eight drug convicts executed by firing squad in April. Indonesia argued that the tough response was needed because narcotics abuse among Indonesians had reached a crisis level. Edward Aspinall, an Australian National University expert on Indonesian politics, did not expect marijuana crops growing legally in Australia would damage relations with Indonesia. “If it even rates notice among the Indonesian authorities or politicians, it will just be seen as an example of the inappropriately liberal and permissive nature of Western societies,” Aspinall said.

The government said the proposed amendment would meet Australia’s international obligations to ensure that production, manufacture and distribution of marijuana was for medical and scientific purposes only.

A government survey of 24,000 Australians nationwide found in 2013 that 69 percent of respondents supported a change of law to permit cannabis use for medicinal purposes.

Australia commits to legal growing of medicinal marijuana

A conference of world MPs at the United Nations in New York has highlighted the need for fresh thinking to meet the challenges of the world drug problem.

The parliamentary hearing, jointly organized by IPU and the Office of the President of the UN General Assembly, drew MPs and other experts from around the world to evaluate current drug policy and search for new solutions.

The meeting concluded that greater international cooperation was useful, but that countries should take advantage of the flexibility provided by existing conventions to tailor their own solutions to the drug problem. This may include decriminalizing the use and possession of light drugs like cannabis, within a strict regulatory system, as several countries have done. The meeting urged countries to focus on the root causes of why people used drugs, as well as tackling the traffickers who are the main culprits, and to develop a people-centred approach toward the problem in line with the new Sustainable Development Goals.

The hearing, on 8-9 February, was part of the preparations for a UN General Assembly special session on the world drug problem, UNGASS 2016, which takes place in April.

The MPs, joined by representatives from international organizations and civil society, examined the complex drivers of drug production and consumption, including links with terrorism and organized crime, and the challenges posed by new types of drugs. They reviewed the progress made by parliaments since a plan of action was adopted by governments in 2009, setting 2019 as a target date for eliminating or significantly reducing supply, demand and associated criminal activity such as money laundering.

They also questioned whether the so-called “war on drugs”, which relies on a law-enforcement approach, diverts valuable resources from healthcare to law enforcement, and has a disproportionate impact on poorer sections of society, women and individual users.

IPU President Saber Chowdhury praised delegates for their open and passionate debate, and stressed the need for more compassion and less judgement in dealing with people using drugs.

IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong added: “if we help people out of poverty, provide health care and education, make institutions more transparent and representative, and indeed do all the things the SDGs ask us to do, then we will undercut the drivers of the drug problem. The most important message from this hearing is that each country needs a comprehensive debate with all constituencies, and to draw up strategies appropriate to its own situation.”

The President of the General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft, closing the hearing, urged MPs and parliaments to place the issue high on their national agendas. He said: “Whatever the various national positions, we have to engage with the number one question – are our efforts succeeding for the families and individuals most affected, for societies, for your countries, and for our inter-connected world? And how can we work more closely together to strengthen our global response?”

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also spoke to delegates during a reception at IPU offices, while the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Yuri Fedotov, addressed the opening of the hearing.

IPU-UN parliamentary hearings enable MPs to feed their views and experiences into UN work and decision-making processes, as well as increasing their understanding of those processes.

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