On 23rd June, the Bombay High Court admitted a petition challenging the constitutionality of Section 31 A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) that prescribes a mandatory death sentence for certain drug offences upon subsequent conviction.
Mr. Marco Di Paolo, a multiple sclerosis sufferer from the town of Sulmona, went to court to have access to medical marijuana. The judge ruled that, under certain circumstances, the Local Health Authority is obliged to provide marijuana for medical purposes.
The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, stresses the importance to "Think Health, Not Drugs". He calls for the adoption of measures that reduce the harmful effects of drug use’ as a crucial part of the battle to combat HIV/AIDS, along with a social and economic development approach in drug-growing regions.
The Open Society Institute seeks a full-time senior program officer in its New York office for the International Harm Reduction Development Program (IHRD).
At its 47th regular session in May 2010, the OAS’s Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission adopted a new hemispheric drug strategy, replacing the last one adopted in 1996. Despite much skepticism as to what would be the final result, the strategy is in fact a significant step forward.
The CORRELATION Network will organise a number of thematic seminars in the second half of 2010. Each seminar will provide profound insights in the specific topic and includes a policy dialogue session with relevant policy makers.
In its Concluding Observations on Colombia, Mauritius and Kazakhstan, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights released its most progressive statements so far on harm reduction and alternative development.
The International Doctors for Healthy Drug Policies (IDHDP)'s purpose is to increase the participation of medical doctors in drug policy reform. IDHDP lobbies internationally to promote harm reduction and healthy drug policies.
The 63rd World Health Assembly adopted a series of resolutions on a variety of global health issues, including a resolution on World Hepatitis Day. This resolution calls for WHO to develop a comprehensive approach to the prevention and control of hepatitis.
On May 22nd, Aksion Plus opened another methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) centre in the city of Elbasan, Albania, which is expected to provide services to around 80 clients.