The UN's International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) annual report released today pointedly criticizes Argentina, Brazil and Mexico for moving to decriminalize the possession of drugs for personal consumption, cautioning that such moves may "send the wrong message." The INCB report expresses concern over "the growing movement to decriminalize the possession of controlled drugs" and calls for this movement to be "resolutely countered" by the governments of Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and the United States. According to the Transnational Institute (TNI) and the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), the criticisms leveled today clearly overstep the INCB's mandate and constitute unwarranted intrusions into these countries' sovereign decision-making.
The book entitled "Cannabis Policy: Moving Beyond Stalemate", published on 25 January 2010 by the Beckley Foundation and Oxford University Press, was researched and written by a group of the world's leading drug policy analysts. It gives an overview of the latest scientific evidence surrounding cannabis and calls for an evidence-based approach to policy that seeks to minimise the harms associated with use of that drug.
The most significant review of New Zealand's drug law has begun. An independent law advisory body, the Law Commission, has released its issues paper - Controlling and Regulating Drugs - for public consultation until 30 April 2010. Their paper traces the history of drug policy and regulation in New Zealand, and reviews the current approach to drug control and regulation. It makes some preliminary proposals for how New Zealand’s drug laws can be updated to put in place a modern and evidence-based statute. The Commission said of current drug law: “no longer provides a coherent and effective legislative framework for responding to the misuse of psychoactive drugs… The Act is now outdated and does not reflect current knowledge and understanding about drug use and related health, social and economic harms.”
The annual meeting of the AAG will be held on 14-18 April 2010 in Washington D.C. Some 5,000 people from around the world are expected to attend. The meeting will focus on opium poppy and follow five general themes: poppy and geo-technologies; poppy and conflict; poppy, farming systems and rural livelihoods; poppy and business; and poppy and culture.
The Staying Alive Foundation is pleased to announce its first call for proposals for 2010. The Foundation aims to empower young people who want to make a difference in their communities and is looking for youth-led organisations that can raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and have received little or no previous funding. The Foundation's grants are a maximum of US$12,000. The deadline to apply for the first stage is 12 March, and grants will be announced on 1 June.
From November 12-14, over 1,000 participants came together at the 2009 International Drug Policy Reform Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was the Reform Conference’s strongest, most diverse gathering of people, issues, co-hosts, and partner organizations yet. The conference focused on the rapidly changing political climate and forward-thinking issues, such as systems for marijuana regulation, supervised injection sites in the U.S., and shifting drug use from a criminal justice to a health issue. The conference reflected the diversity of our growing movement, with the largest contingent ever from outside the U.S. - more than 150 international participants representing 33 countries.
Mark your calendar! The next Reform Conference will be at the Westing Bonaventure in downtown Los Angeles from November 2 to 5 2011.
Each year, the NGO Delegation to the UNAIDS governing body (called the Programme Coordinating Board or PCB) submits a report to the Board. This is an important opportunity to present the unique perspectives of civil society on the developments and issues around the AIDS pandemic. Broad input from civil society informs the NGO report, particularly regarding key issues on the agenda, but also regarding persistent or emerging issues “on the ground.” The NGO Delegation would like to get your input as it writes this report. Please take a few minutes to complete this anonymous questionnaire, available at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YVMZN62
The President of the Romanian Deputy Chamber has launched an invitation to civil society representatives to participate in the first debate on changing the Romanian law on drugs. The Deputy Chamber is proposing discussions on differentiating penalties for illicit possession of drugs for personal use; a periodic review of drug classification lists; and a review of legislation regarding drug policy coordination.
The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2010 Red Ribbon Award is February 28th. We strongly encourage you to nominate your colleagues of excellence for the award, as this would present an excellent opportunity to give prominence to drug policy issues at the International AIDS Conference.
Last month's decision by the British Columbia appeals court to allow North America’s only safe-injection site to stay open will be taken to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Insite facility that provides a space for drug users to safely inject themselves has caused tension between the local government and the Conservative federal government. The previous liberal government had granted the site exemption from federal drug laws but now the current government wants to shut the site down.
This committee set up the RBB Asian consultation meeting in Bangkok in January 2010 will focus on advocacy with other MPs, on effective policy and legislative changes as well as providing a mechanism for dialogue with communities of people who use drugs and people living with HIV. The Committee was formed with support from RBB and the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development.
SafeGames 2010 (www.safegames2010.com), a consortium of local, national, and international harm-reduction and advocacy organisations, is working to ensure that Vancouver residents and international visitors celebrate safely during the upcoming Winter Olympics.