On 28 January 2011, President Barack Obama said that drug legalisation and regulation was "an entirely legitimate topic for debate" but that he was not in favor of legalisation. He then declared that drug abuse should be considered as a public health issue and that a shift of resources was required away from the traditional approach of incarcerating non violent drug offenders.
Through focusing on the promotion of individual and community health, this course will guide participants in developing a comprehensive understanding of current policies, programs and practices which address the harms which may result from the use and distribution of licit and illicit drugs.
In December 2010, the Court of Milan published the grounds of the sentence of 14 years' imprisonment that was imposed on Giampaolo Ganzer, General of the Carabinieri (body of the Italian Army), for drug trafficking. Despite the judgement, Granzer continues his activities as a general.
The evaluation of the XVIII International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2010) which was held in Vienna, Austria from 18 to 23 July 2010, has now been completed, and the full report is now available online.
The Senior Programme Officer who will be involved with grant-giving and will report to the Programme Director. The post is based in Budapest, Hungary, and the deadline for applications is 17 February 2011.
The purpose of the Commission is to bring to the international level an informed, science-based discussion about humane and effective ways to reduce the harm caused by drugs to people and societies.
In December 2010, the Bombay High Court concluded arguments in a case challenging the constitutional validity of Section 31A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 that imposes a mandatory death sentence for drug offences upon subsequent conviction.
Hundreds of patients receiving substitution therapy and NGOs are facing harassment and abuse from state authorities in Ukraine after orders from the Ministry of Interior’s drug enforcement department in a worrying crackdown on people trying to access health services. An open letter from All-Ukrainian Network of Poeple Living with HIV and the AIDS Alliance in Ukraine calls on the Ukrainian President to put an end to these actions.
From the 2nd to 4th January 2011, over 100 delegates from across the region gathered in Abu Dhabi to attend a seminar, marking the launch of the IDPC/NRC regional drug policy network in the Middle East/North Africa.
The International Harm Reduction Association is seeking a part-time intern for a three-month initial placement in London. The intern’s role is to provide support to two major projects – the Global State of Harm Reduction E-tool and the European Harm Reduction Network (EuroHRN).