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 AHRN STATEMENT http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/AHRN_CND_Statement_08_EN.pdf BREAK THE CHAINS STATEMENT http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/BTC_CND_Statement_08_EN.pdf TNI STATEMENT http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/TNI_CND_Statement_08_EN.pdf IDPC ADVOCACY GUIDE - VERSION THREE The latest version of the IDPC Advocacy Guide provides an update on the emerging process for the review of global policies on controlled drugs being conducted under the auspices of the United Nations. It describes the latest situation on the planning for the review, and sets out the IDPC position on which issues need to be addressed in the review, and how these issues may be tackled in order to achieve a constructive outcome. The guide is currently available in English (through the link below), and a Spanish language version will be available on the IDPC website shortly. http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/IDPC_Advocacy_v3_April2008_EN.pdf BECKLEY REPORT NUMBER 14 - UNDERSTANDING DRUG MARKETS AND HOW TO INFLUENCE THEM This latest report in the Beckley series looks at the operation of middle-level drug dealers, and how their behaviour is influenced by the activities of the law enforcement agencies. Based on a small number of studies that have been carried out in this field, the report finds that, while it is unlikely that law enforcement action can achieve long term and sustainable reductions in the overall scale of a drug market, properly targeted activities can impact on the nature of the market, and affect the behaviour of dealers and trafficking organisations. http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/BFDPP_RP_14_UnderstandDrgMkts_EN.pdf CORRELATION REPORT - MARGINALISATION, SOCIAL INCLUSION AND HEALTH This article describes approaches to improve the situation regarding particular target groups, such as drug users, sex workers, (undocumented) migrants and youth at risk. The experiences of the activities of Correlation - The European Network on Social Inclusion & Heath - illustrate concrete examples of interventions and skills building, taking into account elements as empowerment and the impact on policy debate. http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/Correlation_Marginalisation_08_EN.pdf EVENTS IDPC WORKSHOP ON THE UN DRUG POLICY REVIEW - BARCELONA, SATURDAY 10th MAY 2008 This workshop, in the margins of the International Harm Reduction Conference, will be the latest in a series at which NGOs and government officials can meet to discuss the latest progress on the review of the UN drug control system, and the issues and advocacy positions that civil society can take in an attempt to influence the outcome of the review. Further details of the meeting can be downloaded from the below link, and you can reserve a place by emailing your details to [email protected] http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/BarcelonaInvite_May08.pdf OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY 2008 This event originated in Australia, but the organisers are hoping that it will have a more international flavour this year. Each year on the 31st of August, people are invited to remember those who have died or are suffering permanent injury from overdose. A silver badge is distributed for all who wish to acknowledge the day, a day that offers support and understanding, aims to lower stigma and create awareness around overdose of both licit and illicit drugs. More information can be found at: http://www.salvationarmy.org.au or by contacting Sally Finn at [email protected].