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The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) is a global network of NGOs and professional networks that specialise in issues related to illegal drug production and use. The Consortium aims to promote objective and open debate on the effectiveness, direction and content of drug policies at national and international level, and supports evidence-based policies that are effective in reducing drug-related harm. It disseminates the reports of its member organisations about particular drug-related matters, and offers expert consultancy services to policymakers and officials around the world. COMMUNICATIONS UPDATED IDPC WEBSITE The website of IDPC plays a major role in the implementation of our mission. This gives our members, and anyone else interested in drug policy, easy access to a wide range of reports on issues related to national and international policies in this field. Through this platform are able to reach out to over 10,000 individuals and organisations around the world, and this number is continually increasing. We have recently redesigned the website, which you can visit at the same address as before: www.idpc.info. The aim has been to make the site more user-friendly, and to make our messages and publications more accessible. The Spanish and Italian language versions of the website are now live. Some documents are also available in French and Russian, and we will create versions of the website in these languages later in the year. TNI UNGASS WEBSITE The Transnational Institute has created a website that deals specifically with the UN 10 year review of drug policy. The website (www.ungassondrugs.org) contains key documents, analysis and announcements that are relevant to the review of the 1998 UNGASS. Please try to add a link from your website to this valuable source of information. DRUGLINK INTERNATIONAL Drugscope have received funding from OSI to produce two pilot editions of a magazine - Druglink International. The magazine will be produced in association with IDPC, and Harry Shapiro at Drugscope is hoping that IDPC members will all have ideas for content, and will be able to provide him with media contacts in their own regions to help promote the magazine. The first issue will be largely based on existing international content from Druglink magazine because it needs to be produced in time for the International Harm Reduction Conference in Barcelona in May. It will also be circulated at the International Aids Conference in Mexico. However, the second issue will have more flexibility, and we may be tying that in with events in early 2009. This is a very exciting project with much potential for the future for raising the issues which concern us all with a wider audience, and also for future networking around the world. PUBLICATIONS IDPC BRIEFING NUMBER 8 - REPORT ON PROCEEDINGS AT THE 2008 COMMISSION ON NARCOTIC DRUGS (CND) The 51st meeting of the CND took place in Vienna from 10th to 14th March 2008. It was an eventful meeting, and this summary of proceedings covers the key aspects of the week, including NGO involvement, the Thematic Debate, progress of resolutions, human rights, coca leaf, harm reduction and the INCB. http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/IDPC_BP_08_RptProcedings2008CND_EN.pdf NGO STATEMENTS TO THE CND THEMATIC DEBATE Unlike in previous years, NGOs were successful in being granted access to the plenary session to deliver statements to the assembled government representatives. The topic for the thematic debate was the review of progress in international drug control in the 10 years since the 1998 UNGASS, and the NGO contributions enlivened what was an otherwise bland debate. In total, 8 NGO statements were submitted, and the ones that are available in electronic form are posted on the IDPC website. You can download them through the links below: IDPC STATEMENT http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/IDPC_CND_Statement_08_EN.pdf INPUD STATEMENT http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/INPUD_CND_Statement_08_EN.pdf IHRA STATEMENT http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/IHRA_CND_Statement_08_EN.pdf EHRN STATEMENT http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/EHRN_CND_Statement_08_EN.pdf

[Courtesy of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition] You might find this helpful: I met with an aide I had not seen in two years whose boss is very conservative except for the prohibition question. Being a Libertarian, she completely supports LEAP’s mission statement. I gave her all the usual updates & was prepared to leave after about 10 minutes. She pro-offered an approach I might employ with other legislative aides. I tried her idea at the next three offices. It worked. Most of what she suggested I have now permanently adopted. As I make my second visit to the 540 offices, I am struck and gratified by the increasing numbers of aides who wish me well & offer information and suggestions. Cowboy Hat = cop who wants to legalize drugs: Two separate times this week a staffer with whom I was sharing an elevator said, ‘I remember the hat. How is the legalize campaign going?’ One I somewhat remembered and the other was a complete blank. I replied that Don Quixote now has 5 votes to legalize/regulate drugs. Just 213 votes to go. Know anyone?…they smiled and wished me well. Another aide who met me two years ago remarked that she has seen me many times in the cafeteria. As she spots the cowboy hat and me under it, she always thinks of legalizing drugs. Monthly bill to produce copies to distribute: 40 dollars; monthly cost to ride train to work - $112; Cost to ride the Metro inside DC - $60; having Congressional aides remember my message by simply seeing a cowboy hat – PRICELESS.

[Courtesy of Drug Policy Alliance] For Immediate Release: April 7, 2008 Contact: Margaret Dooley-Sammuli (213) 291-4190 Hundreds to Celebrate Prop 36 at California Capitol Third Annual “Prop 36 Works!” Rally Counts Lives and Dollars Saved Wednesday, 11-1pm: Rally and March in Capitol Park Sacramento – Clients, graduates and supporters of Proposition 36, California’s treatment-instead-of-incarceration law, will gather at the Capitol on April 9 to celebrate seven years of the groundbreaking program’s success. Hundreds of rally participants will represent the over 84,000 people who have graduated from the program in the last seven years—and call attention to the over $1.5 billion saved by Prop 36 so far. Many participants at Wednesday’s rally are in recovery rather than jail thanks to Prop 36, and have come from around the state to show their support for the program and for treatment rather than incarceration. After the outdoor rally, the crowd will march and then enter the Capitol Building to leave that message with their legislators. WHAT: Prop 36 Works! rally WHEN: Wednesday, April 9, 11a.m. rally ; 1p.m. march. WHERE: North steps, California Capitol Building, Sacramento. WHO: Prop 36 graduates from across California, Parent advocates for Prop 36, Formerly incarcerated people & advocates, Legislators The Drug Policy Alliance, sponsor of the event, was instrumental in the campaign to pass Prop 36 in 2000 and continues to work to protect the program. Co-sponsors represent the wide support for the program: California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC), California Association of Addiction Recovery Resources (CAARR), California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives (CAADPE), California Society of Addiction Medicine, The Effort, & NCADD Sacramento. Other supporters include: A New PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment & Healing), All of Us or None, Alpha Project, Beacon House Association of San Pedro, California Church IMPACT, Coalition for Effective Public Safety (CEPS), County Alcohol and Drug Programs Administrators Association of California (CADPAAC) & Justice Now. For more information, visit: www.prop36.org.

[Courtesy of Drug Policy Alliance] For Immediate Release: April 7, 2008 For More Info: Gabriel Sayegh, tel: 646-335-2264 or Tony Newman, tel: 646-335-5384 New York Overdose Epidemic: More People Die from Accidental Overdose than Homicides Public Heath Advocates, Community Groups Travel to Albany on Tuesday to Demand Effective Overdose Legislation Nearly 1,000 Flowers—One Flower for Every Accidental Overdose Death in NYC —to be Delivered to Gov. Paterson’s Office at 1 p.m., April 8 On Tuesday, April 8, the Drug Policy Alliance, Harm Reduction Coalition, New York City AIDS Housing Network, Voices of Community Advocates and Leaders, and advocates from around the state will travel to Albany to demand effective overdose legislation and public health policies for drug user health in New York. There is an overdose epidemic across the country and in New York State. In New York City alone, nearly 1,000 people died of accidental drug overdose in 2006, making it the fourth leading cause of death among adults after heart disease, cancer and AIDS. More people die of overdose than homicides in New York City. At 11 a.m., advocates will gather at Emmanuel Baptist Church for a strategy meeting and inspirational talk by Senator Tom Duane and Humberto Cruz, Exec. Director of NYS AIDS Institute. At 1 p.m., the coalition will make a special delivery to Gov. David Paterson’s office—one flower for every accidental overdose death in New York City. Nearly 1,000 flowers will be delivered. Many accidental drug overdoses in New York are preventable. Most people hesitate to call 911 because they fear getting arrested for illicit drugs. Assembly Bill 8740, the 911 Good Samaritan Bill, will save lives in New York by allowing people to call 911 to save a life without fear of being arrested. Additionally, the Expanded Syringe Access Program (ESAP), passed by the NYS Legislature in 2000, amended the Public Health Law to make possession of clean syringes legal. However, New York State Penal Law still states that possession of a clean syringe is a Class A misdemeanor, and many clients are arrested around syringe exchange programs—for possession of syringes. Advocates will call on legislators to remove syringes from the penal code to encourage injection drug users to access clean syringes to reduce HIV/AIDS without fear of arrest. What: Statewide Meeting and Lobby Day to Reduce Accidental Drug Overdoses When: Tuesday, April 8th 11:00 A.M. Where: Meeting at Emmanuel Baptist Church 275 State Street, Albany, NY Who: Advocates, with special comments by Senator Tom Duane and Humberto Cruz, NYS AIDS Institute Director Action: Flower Delivery to Gov. Paterson to symbolize overdose deaths in New York: 1:00 p.m. at the Executive Chamber