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. 1. New IDPC Coordinator Initiates Governance Review Ann Fordham has now joined the IDPC as full-time Coordinator. Her initial priority will be to review the Consortium’s governance structure and membership criteria in consultation with members. Attached is a consultation paper which includes two proposals. The first proposal is a revised membership structure with new criteria for the Consortium. The second proposal covers the setting up of a steering group for the Consortium. Please send all comments on the paper to Ann ( [email protected] ) by no later than Monday 15th December 2008. http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/IDPC_GovConPaper_Nov08_EN.pdf PUBLICATIONS 2. UNGASS News Version 5 The second negotiating meeting to debate the political declaration to be presented at the High Level Meeting (scheduled for March 2009) took place last week (24/25/26 November). The fifth of the IDPC’s regular "UNGASS News" updates, keeping the network up to speed with developments in the UN drug policy review process is now available, and includes a report of this meeting. http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/IDPC_UNGASSNEWS5_Nov08_EN.pdf http://www.ungassondrugs.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=223&Itemid=82 3. Druglink International Drugscope has now produced the second pilot issue of Druglink International and all IDPC member organisations have been sent 10 copies. There are more copies available, but postage may have to be charged. Alternatively Drugscope can send a pdf of the issue which you can distribute to your contacts. For more information please email [email protected] 4. Book of Legal Authorities for UNGASS Many of the debates in Vienna revolve around the consistency of CND policies and decisions with existing UN conventions, declarations and mandates. This resource book gives easy access to the relevant texts, and explains how they can be used to improve the outcome of the review. This resource will serve as useful background material for those involved in the Vienna negotiations, but can also be used by NGOs and governments as general reference material. This version will be updated in the coming weeks, so if you have any suggested additions, please pass them to Rebecca Schleifer – [email protected] http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/HRW_Authorities_Oct08_EN.pdf 5. Report of the Expert Meeting on Drug Policy at the European Parliament On 16th October 2008 Members of the European Parliament and national Parliamentarians met through an initiative of the Transnational Institute and the Andreas Papandreou Foundation at the European Parliament in Brussels to discuss the ongoing review of the goals and targets adopted at the United Nations General Assembly’s Special Session on Drugs in 1998. The meeting aimed to increase the involvement of Parliamentarians in the decision making process occurring in advance of the 52nd Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in March 2009. For the full report of this meeting and further details please see the attached documents Letter: http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/APFTNI_OpenLettertoEU_Oct08_EN.pdf Report: http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/APFTNI_Report_Oct08_EN.pdf 6. Beyond 2008 Update Michel Perron and David Turner had meetings with the Chair of the 52nd Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the Executive Director of UNODC and the President of the International Narcotics Control Board. The purpose of the meetings was to follow-up the Declaration and Resolutions adopted by consensus at the Vienna Forum and to review arrangements for NGO participation in the High Level Segment (HLS) and the ordinary session of the 52nd CND. http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/Beyond2008_UdpateReport_Nov08_EN.pdf 7. Harm Reduction Networks’ Submission to UN on Human Rights IHRA’s HR2 programme has authored a submission to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights www.ohchr.org. The submission – entitled ‘Harm Reduction and Human Rights: The Global Response to Injection-Driven HIV Epidemics’ – was prepared following a call by the High Commissioner’s office for input in preparing a biennial report on HIV and human rights for the UN Human Rights Committee meeting in March 2009. The submission provides a global overview of the injecting-driven HIV epidemic worldwide, with a particular focus on several key regions. It also examines the human rights implications of the failure to scale-up harm reduction services worldwide, which includes a specific focus on the needs of women and young people. The submission concludes by making a series of recommendations to various UN human rights bodies to increase their engagement with harm reduction and drug policy issues. The submission received formal endorsements from a number of harm reduction networks and organisations from around the world. The submission is available at: http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/HR2_HRHIVSubmission_Oct08_EN.pdf 8. A Compass for Columbia Policy A report produced by four leading Washington-based advocacy organizations, makes a detailed, persuasive case for a new U.S. strategy that would achieve current U.S. policy goals while ending impunity and strengthening respect for human rights. Instead of risking all by placing too much faith in a single, charismatic leader, the United States must appeal to the aspirations and needs of all Colombians by strengthening democratic institutions, such as the judiciary. In particular, the United States must stand by and empower the human rights advocates, victims, judges, prosecutors, union leaders, journalists and others who are the driving forces towards a more just and peaceful Colombia. http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/CompassColombiaPolicy.pdf 9. Decertifying Bolivia: Bush Administration ‘Fails Demonstrably’ to Make Its Case ‘Decertifying Bolivia: Bush Administration 'Fails Demonstrably' to Make its Case’ has been published by the Andean Information Network and the Washington Office on Latin America in response to the Bush administration’s announcement on September 16, 2008 that Bolivia had “failed demonstrably during the previous 12 months” to adhere to its “obligations under international counternarcotics agreements.” Ten days later, the Administration announced its intent to make Bolivia ineligible for benefits under the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA). The document, which argues against the suspension of APTDEA, was submitted to the office of the U.S. Trade Representative. http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/AIN-WOLA_BoliviaCommentsUSTR.pdf 10. Access and Control Newsletter The Access and Control Newsletter is sent by the World Health Organization, Department of Essential Medicines and Pharmaceutical Policies, Quality and Safety: Medicines Unit. The Newsletter provides the latest news from WHO on access to medicines controlled under the international drug treaties and evaluation of substances for their dependence producing properties. This edition considers the 35th Expert Committee on Drug Dependence, the definition of the scope for WHO chronic pain guidelines, availability of the opioid on-line course, VNGOC, and the World Cancer Declaration. http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/WHO_ACNewsletter_No3_Nov08.pdf EVENTS 11. Harm Reduction 2009; IHRA's 20th International Conference The Harm Reduction 2009 conference will now be held at the Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel over four full days - Monday 20th April –Thursday 23rd April. The Conference Director, Professor Gerry Stimson, has written an open letter to everyone interested in the event in order to keep colleagues up to date with significant developments. In particular the open letter includes information about the conference programme and the medical and harm reduction services that will be available for delegates and especially for those who are actively using drugs. For more information about the conference, go to: www.ihraconferences.net For the Open Letter, go to: www.ihra.net/Thailand/News 12. First Conference of the Connections Project The First Conference of the Connections Project will take place in Krakow, Poland, March 27-29 and will provide an opportunity to discuss developments in drug treatment and harm reduction in the European criminal justice systems. This conference will build on the success of previous conferences of the European Network of Drug and Infections Prevention in Prison (ENDIPP). More details can be found at: http://www.connectionsproject.eu/conference2009 13. 3rd Annual Conference of the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy The 3rd Annual Conference of the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy will take place at UNODC in Vienna on 2-3 March 2009. It will focus on research issues that are relevant to the UNGASS on drugs. It will be followed by special workshops (on drug harm indices and drug policy modelling) on 4th March. More details can be found at http://www.issdp.org/vienna2009/index.htm Please feel free to pass this alert on to any contacts who may be interested in drug policy issues. If you have received this alert in error, or do not wish to continue receiving our alerts, you can unsubscribe yourself by emailing to [email protected]