It’s been a hell of a month,” said Alesya Shagina, a peer outreach coordinator for Humanitarian Action, of their recent work in St. Petersburg. “But we’re really proud of how we managed to adapt to these circumstances. We distributed 347 harm reduction kits via courier delivery, 208 kits via mobile outreach, and delivered 133 [antiretroviral therapy regimens] just for the last month. Some people are asking for saliva tests so we’re trying to provide them, as well.”

Russia continues to experience severe drug-related problems even in non-pandemic times. While there has been a decrease in opioid dependence in recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the use of new psychoactive substances (NPS). At the same time, in a hostile political environment, harm reduction options—including outreach to drug users and distribution of supplies—have decreased.

In 2010, there were 70 organized harm reduction programs in Russia, already too few for such a huge country. Today, activists estimate that there are only about 20.

The Russian government has instead introduced punitive measures to fight drug use, treating people with addiction as criminals. This puts huge pressure on the small number of remaining NGOs providing essential, life-saving harm reduction services.

'Challenges drive us forward'  - Harm reduction in St. Petersburg, Russia

By Alfredo Pascual / Marijuana Buisiness Daily

A document prepared by the chair of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) has laid out a course to keep on track for December’s key vote on the World Health Organization’s cannabis scheduling recommendations.

This is positive news for industry stakeholders concerned about a possible delay stemming from the coronavirus crisis. While the likely outcome of the vote is not yet known, it could have far-reaching implications for the global cannabis industry.

One recommendation, for instance, would recognize the medical value and a lesser potential for harm of cannabis at a U.N. level – making it easier for member countries to adopt medical cannabis programs.

Another recommendation would ease restrictions on CBD products.

 obtained the letter, which was being circulated among CND-member nations earlier in May. It is an updated version of a document shared at the end of April, taking into consideration comments and requests made by member countries.

UN body preparing for December vote on WHO cannabis recommendations despite coronavirus

Our relationship to punishment and our relationship to white supremacy and anti-black racism intersect. Within a carceral logic, “criminals” deserve to be punished. But blackness itself is always already criminal. Ideas and misconceptions about drugs, addiction and criminality mean that derivative moral judgements and racialised logic about "criminals" - as opposed to facts about drugs - is shaping drug policy. This is bad for all of us, and bad in

particular and distinct ways for black communities.

Kojo Koram, editor of The War On Drugs And The Global Colour Line, articulates it like this: “To appreciate that racial classifications of difference are porous is to begin to understand better the violence that accompanies the instance of race’s certainty; the sub-humanity, the animalism and the deviancy projected onto the racial subaltern subject is a betrayal of what already exists in-potential within the idealised (European) human.” Racism goes further than a politics of different human identities, it actually configures who gets to be human.

If we think of drugs as ‘transgressive substances’, read as having the power to transform “even the most rational, autonomous, enlightened and sovereign European ‘man’ into the lazy, violent, depraved figure of the sub-human”, what happens when we hold this up to the fact of blackness? If blackness always already signifies a lack of humanity, we get to an awful and intriguing argument: that the criminalisation and stigmatisation associated with drugs as an act of transgression is the always already lived reality of black people, whether or not we consume drugs.


The war on drugs and the justification of Black death

(Manila) – Thousands of children in the Philippines have suffered lasting physical, emotional, and economic harm from President Rodrigo Duterte’s abusive “war on drugs,” Human Rights Watch said in a report and accompanying video released today. Governments at the United Nations Human Rights Council in June 2020 should support an independent international investigation into the “drug war” killings in the Philippines, including violations against children.

The 48-page report, “‘Our Happy Family Is Gone’: Impact of the ‘War on Drugs’ on Children in the Philippines,” details the plight of children whose parents or guardians have been killed. Many children have suffered psychological distress, and all experienced economic hardship made worse by the death of a family breadwinner. The increased poverty and trauma have led many children to leave school or compelled them to work. Some children who lost a family member have faced bullying in their school and community. Some were forced to live on the streets.

Philippines: Lasting harm to children from "drug war"

Decongesting prisons is a logical approach to limiting the spread of COVID-19: time to release drug users in prison.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities in West Africa have made enormous efforts to prevent the spread of the virus, particularly in prisons and other detention centres. Some governments have sponsored regular disinfection of prisons and distributed protective equipment to prison officers. Others have minimized prison visitations and even released a few prisoners. These efforts, while commendable, have not had a significant impact on reducing the size of prison populations across the sub-region. It is reported that 14 West African countries are among 115 countries where the total prison population exceeds the official capacity of their prisons.

Overcrowding in prisons is a major problem in many jurisdictions, and presents is a major impediment to limiting the spread of the Coronavirus disease. It makes social distancing and regular hygiene practices, which are the fundamental behavioural requirements to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, almost impossible. It undermines the ability of prison administrators to meet basic human rights and health care standards for inmates; To keep the virus out of prisons and detention facilities or limit its spread in those places, authorities in West Africa need to consider releasing inmates and detainees, especially those facing charges or prison terms for minor, non-violent drug offences. Shutting down compulsory detention centres (ostensibly for the purpose of rehabilitation) for persons suspected of having used or abused drugs could be helpful. No evidence exists that these compulsory detention centres are effective in treating or rehabilitating drug dependence. The detention of people in such facilities raises human rights issues and threatens the health of detainees, hence increasing the risks of COVID-19 outbreak therein.

West Africa: Decongesting prisons is a logical approach to limiting the spread of COVID-19

“The reality is that the HIV outbreak and drug-related deaths haven’t gone away just because we have declared a coronavirus pandemic in Scotland,” says Jennifer Goff.

Jennifer is the communications and engagement officer at Waverley Care, a Scottish organisation created over 20 years ago in response to the HIV outbreak in Edinburgh during the late 1980s.

Scotland is currently the country with the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe, with Glasgow sitting well above the country’s average number of cases.

This, together with a recent spike in HIV infections amongst injectable drug users, has put the city of Glasgow in the centre of national efforts to tackle this public health crisis.

“Ultimately, we are worried that the lockdown might induce unsafe injecting practices and decrease testing, increasing the risk of HIV transmission”, says Jennifer.

The Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) estimates that there are around 500 people injecting and living on the streets in the city centre, making ends meet by begging, resorting to prostitution or petty crime.

 In pictures: Glasgow’s drugs crisis in the time of coronavirus

From the very beginning, communities were in the vanguard of the AIDS response in Nepal. Still playing a vital role in the response to HIV in the country, communities are making good-quality services more accessible for people living with HIV and key populations and standing up to HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

“Nepal made antiretroviral medicines accessible to all people living with HIV as a result of advocacy efforts led by communities, human rights activists and other national stakeholders,” said Gopal Shrestha, a prominent community leader living with HIV.

Discrimination towards key populations is still deeply rooted in Nepalese society. “Finding people who need services is difficult due to a lack of trust. We work with those communities that fear coming out because of discrimination,” said Simran Sherchan, Operation Head of the Federation of Sexual and Gender Minorities in Nepal (FSGMN).

Although antiretroviral medicines are available to everyone living with HIV in Nepal, a survey conducted in 2018 reveals that more than 30% of transgender people avoid seeking health care because of fear of stigma and discrimination—something that FSGMN is determined to end.

Communities strengthening the AIDS response in Nepal

I am Kishorchand (Bungo), the state coordinator for the Drug User Forum of Manipur supported through the Harm Reduction programme of Alliance India. On the evening of 1st May 2020, I had just come home from work when I received a phone call from an unknown number. He identified himself as the police officer who was present at the site when two overdose cases were reported at a Diwali gathering last year i.e. 2019. I had gone there to administer naloxone to the two individuals, following which they recovered. The police officer had apparently noted my phone number at that time for future reference. He asked me to come to the Imphal West Police Station as they had three drug users in custody, and one of them appeared to be undergoing severe withdrawal symptoms.

All three persons detained were from the same locality, situated at the heart of Imphal West. They had been under the surveillance of a local vigilante group with an anti-drug and alcohol mindset monitoring the movements of drug users during the Covid-19 lockdown and were caught early that morning in the process of buying heroin. In the scuffle that ensued, when they tried to escape, one of them fell from the two-wheeler and sustained severe injuries. Following that, they were all apprehended and taken to the Police Station.

India: Provision of harm reduction service in the lockup of a police station

As the current global pandemic – (COVID-19) claims lives and continues to threaten the global economy, security and overall stability, People who use drugs (PWUD) encounter additional risks and challenges than the general population particularly in West Africa. PWUDs can be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions associated with their drug use, stigma, social marginalization and higher economic and social vulnerabilities; including a lack of access to housing and health care. Moreover, with the current protective measures put in place, including social distancing and periodic lockdowns, it may be difficult for PWUDs, particularly those with dependence, substance use disorders and homelessness problems, to protect themselves from the risk of developing COVID-19.

Some additional risk and challenges PWUDs encounter

It may be very challenging for drug users, particularly the homeless and recreational users to observe social distancing and stay at home, hence putting them at risk of being infected with COVID-19. Both categories who often live in marginalized communities with hardly, if any, basic social services are forced to move from one place to another in search of shelter, social services and livelihood. They often inevitably wind up in ghettos which continue to be crowded with homeless and recreational drug users, albeit restrictions on public gathering.

With the militarized enforcement of the stay-at-home and social distancing measures to control the spread of the corona virus in the region, homeless drug users are at greater risk of being arrested for loitering and possibly tortured and detained longer than required.

Since possession and use of drugs are criminalized in almost every country in the region, recreational drug use often takes place in hidden but often crowded settings where the exchange of drugs and drug-use equipment among drug users is a common practice. This seems unlikely to change, at least not immediately, irrespective of continues plea from local and global authorities for adherence to preventive measures unless with specialized interventions.

Personal protective equipment and information:

A large proportion of drugs users in the region either lack stable employment or are not employed at all making it almost impracticable for them to afford or prioritize such equipment where the resources are even available. On the contrary, many will rather finance their drug use and to a large extent food than buy personal protective equipment. Further exposing them to risks of COVID-19 infection.

Disruption in treatment, rehabilitation and counseling services:

Drug users who are already on treatment, rehabilitation and counselling services, are likely to face possible disruption in their schedules and accessing these services due to the lockdown and other protective measures.

WADPN specific emergency humanitarian responses to PWUD during COVID-19 period:

In order to mitigate these risks and minimize the exposure of PWUD to COVID-19 infection, there is a need for holistic emergency humanitarian support to drug users and drug use settings. WADPN is, therefore, providing emergency response to mitigate the risks and PWUD’s exposure to COVID-19 through our membership in the various West African Countries as follows:

Design and disseminate among PWUD reader-friendly versions/sticky messages of information on COVID-19 preventive measures, safer drug use and government COVID-19 prevention guidelines/regulations.

Distribute Personal Protective Equipment:

 Distribute and encourage the use of Personal Protective Equipment and hygiene kits such as Face mask; Hand wash; Hand sanitizers; Buckets among individual drug users and drug use settings where they are most needed.

Supply basic food items particularly to homeless and unemployed PWUDs, in order to minimize their movements and hence exposure to COVID-19 infection and incarceration during lockdown periods.

Facilitate continuity of Harm Reduction programs:

 Facilitate continuity of harm reduction programs including counseling, treatment, rehabilitation and the supply of drug use equipment under lockdown.

Limit PWUD’s encounter with criminal justice system:

 Establish partnership with law enforcement to reduce raids on drug use settings and incarceration of drug users whilst advocating for the release of those in police detention on bail.

WADPN emergency response to COVID-19 prevention & control among people who use drugs in West Africa

Under the auspices of three-year grants from the Robert Carr Fund, the ‘Harm Reduction Consortium’ and the ‘Consortium of Networks of People Who Use Drugs’ exist to challenge the global war on drugs, support harm reduction services and funding, and protect the rights and health of people who use drugs. The Consortia are comprised as follows:

 International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), Harm Reduction International (HRI), Youth RISE, Women and Harm Reduction International Network (WHRIN), Middle East and North Africa Harm Reduction Association (MENAHRA), Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA), European Network of People who Use Drugs (EuroNPUD).

Consortium of Networks of People Who Use Drugs:

 International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD), Asian Network of People who Use Drugs (ANPUD), Eurasian Network of People who use Drugs (ENPUD), African Network of People who use Drugs (AfricaNPUD), South African Network of People who use Drugs (SANPUD).

Both Consortia have an ongoing commitment to capacity building and organisational development, and we are therefore seeking a consultant to undertake a capacity scan and review of the financial management structures of our individual member organisations. The review will culminate in two reports (one to each Consortium) containing concrete recommendations and guidance, and a one-day financial management workshop with both Consortia in Q1 2021 (exact venue and dates to be confirmed).

Financial management systems and capacities vary significantly between the Consortia members: some of the more established organisations have decades of experience and manage annual budgets in excess of US$ 1 million, while others are more nascent networks with financial hosts and looking to establish independently in the coming years. There is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach.

The key objectives of the financial management capacity scan are, therefore, to:

determine any capacity needs and priorities of the Consortia members.

identify and flag any financial management ‘red flags’ or concerns.

propose financial management action plans for each organisation to consider, aspiring for best practices across various areas of financial management, accounting, risk management, auditing, etc.

deliver a one-day financial management workshop to help Consortia members build on their capacity and efforts in these areas.

 30 May 2020.Please check the document below for further information on how to submit your proposal.

Request for proposals: Consultant for financial management capacity scan and training

COVID-19 has changed our lives: from travel bans, social and physical isolation and empty cities to workers laid off and governments scrambling to muster effective responses. The impact on people varies widely and differently between countries. Relationships may be placed under new stresses and for those educating children at home, long division will never have seemed so hard! Today, we invite you to take part in the Global Drug Survey Special Edition on COVID-19. We run the world’s largest drug survey and we are here to help. Read on to find out why we are bothering and why we think you should to.

How are you coping with this unprecedented situation? For some people it’s baking, reading, yoga, virtual dance parties, or simply binging with Netflix. For others it’s drinking or using other drugs. For good or bad, disruption to drug markets, and closures of pubs, nightclubs and other social venues means changes to ways and means of how we use alcohol or drugs. We know that access to drugs has been impeded but that alcohol sales are going up in many parts of the globe and while many traditional settings of use have closed, people have found new ways of connecting. Some people may use more alcohol and/or other drugs to replace social connection or manage feelings of anxiety or boredom. For others, reduced access, desire and opportunity to use might lead to a period of not using. Whether, how and in what quantities people choose to use under these new settings remains unclear as does the true extent of variation across and between different parts of the globe. If we had a better understanding of how people adapt to the restrictions related to the global pandemic, we could help provide guidance on what works well for which group and inform future debates on drug policy and public health.

Continuing our mantra of having “honest conversations about alcohol and other drugs” we have created this Global Drug Survey Special Edition on COVID-19 that launches on May 4th, 2020. The survey is available in multiple languages. Participation will take 10-15 minutes if you recently drank alcohol and slightly longer if you also used other drugs. We’ll ask how COVID-19 has impacted your living situation, your relationships and your mental health. We’ll ask whether your use of alcohol and other drugs has changed and with what consequences as well as about how COVID-19 has impacted the drug market in your country and your access to services. Finally, we’ll invite you to join a GDS cohort with short follow-up surveys every 30 days to monitor changes in your drug use as the world adapts to an unknown but hopefully safer future. Don’t forget to be kind to yourself, support those around you and stay safe y’all!

Professor Adam Winstock on behalf of Global Drug Survey

GDS 2020: Global Drug Survey special edition on COVID-19

The Government today released the full and final Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill that New Zealanders will be voting for at the referendum on 19 September.

“These final new details strengthen the controls from the initial draft, making it a world-leading piece of public health legislation. The Bill delivers government-controlled regulations over the production, supply and use of cannabis, with the intent of reducing harms, particularly for young people,” said Ross Bell, Drug Foundation Executive Director.

“At a time when comprehensive public health controls are proving their worth and saving lives, we applaud the Government’s work at designing cannabis regulations appropriate for New Zealand’s local needs. This final version gives all the information New Zealanders need to help inform their vote”

“In true Kiwi fashion, this Bill doesn’t just follow in the footsteps of other nations, instead the government has created terms and conditions to control cannabis which meet the key needs of New Zealand.

“There are almost 600,000 regular consumers currently accessing cannabis from an un-controlled, illicit market. This Bill doesn’t create a cannabis market, it puts solid public health controls over this existing market,” said Mr Bell.

The Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill creates a system of licenses and regulation over cultivation, the quality and strength of products that are made, where those can be sold and who they can be sold to:

Cannabis will only be available to adults aged 20 years or older; It will not be sold to teenagers.

Only specialist stores licenced by the government will be able to sell cannabis

The tax collected from the sale of cannabis will be put towards health and education programmes for all New Zealanders

Cannabis use will be allowed in private homes and specifically licensed premises; it cannot be used in public

No advertising for cannabis products will be allowed, and consumer and health warnings will be required

A phased approach will be taken to carefully control when new and novel products are allowed to be sold.

“Under this Bill, the government takes control over the cannabis market, from seed to sale. It raises new revenue with an excise tax and special cannabis levy to be spent on treatment and drug education services for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

News

'Challenges drive us forward' - Harm reduction in St. Petersburg, Russia