IDPC Alert - March 2009

IDPC Alert - March 2009 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. PUBLICATIONS 1. UNGASS NEWS VERSION 7 The seventh 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 an update on the practical arrangements now in place for the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the High Level Segment, opportunities for civil society involvement, and a report on the latest round of negotiating meetings preparing the political declaration and annex. http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/IDPC_UngassNews7_Feb09_EN.pdf 2. IDPC SATELLITE PROGRAMME FOR CND A programme of satellite events to be held by IDPC and its partners at the fifty-second Commission on Narcotic Drugs and its high-level segment has been organised. These satellite sessions will be open to all delegates to the Vienna meetings, and a summary of all these events can be accessed by clicking the link below. http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/IDPC_Satellite_Events_EN.pdf 3. IHRA LAUNCHES HARM REDUCTION ADVOCACY TOOLS FOR CND In the build-up to the High Level Segment of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna in March 2009, IHRA has launched two advocacy tools to inform government delegations and civil society about the global appeal of - and support for - the harm reduction approach. Firstly, IHRA and Human Rights Watch have launched a “Book of Authorities” to provide reference material on expert opinion and specific UN “agreed language” and statements on harm reduction. The second resource is a list of the countries and territories which currently support harm reduction in policy or practice - put together by IHRA and harm reduction networks from around the world. This table shows at a glance the extent to which harm reduction is a global approach. Please visit the link below for further information: www.ihra.net/HR2Reports 4. UNAIDS LETTER TO CND CHAIRPERSON Michel Sidibé, The newly appointed Executive Director of UNAIDS has written to Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, the Chairperson of CND to convey his hope “that the Commission will further advance UN system-wide coherence in relation to the body of evidence in support of harm reduction measures in tackling drug use.” http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/Sidibe_Letter_to_CND_EN.pdf 5. GLOBAL FUND LETTER TO CND CHAIRPERSON The Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Michel Kazatchkine, urged the president of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) to send a strong message to the world with clear and specific language that calls for comprehensive harm reduction services. To read the full blog by TNI, click on the link below: http://www.ungassondrugs.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=243 And for a full copy of the letter, see the attachment below: http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/GlobalFund_Letter_to_CND_EN.pdf 6. TNI-WOLA BRIEF ON DRUG POLICY IN ECUADOR At the end of 2008, about 1,500 persons were released who were in Ecuadorian prisons sentenced for drug trafficking. The measure, known as “pardon for mules,” singled out a specific group of prisoners who were victims of indiscriminate and disproportionate legislation that was in effect for many years. Although this measure represents an important step forward in the process, there is still a need for legislative reform of one of the most draconian anti-drug laws in the hemisphere. Read the new briefing, Pardon for Mules in Ecuador, a Sound Proposal, Series on Legislative Reform of Drug Policies, at the link below: http://www.ungassondrugs.org/images/stories/brief29.pdf 7. FIRST GLOBAL FORUM OF PRODUCERS OF CROPS DECLARED TO BE ILLICIT (FMPCDI) Approximately 50 producers of coca leaves, cannabis and opium poppy from Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa and Asia and more than 20 experts and NGO representatives gathered at this first world forum in Barcelona, Spain from January 29 to 31, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. Organized by CERAI, the forum provided a space for sharing experiences and reflecting on ways to protect the human rights of affected communities and promote alternative models of sustainable development. The final declaration can be found in English at: http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/Political_Declaration_FMPCDI.EN.pdf and in Spanish: http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/Declaracion_final_FMPCDI.ES.pdf 8. LATIN AMERICAN COMMISSION ON DRUGS AND DEMOCRACY This “Blue Ribbon” commission presented its findings on February 11, 2009 in its statement, Drugs and Democracy: Toward a Paradigm Shift. Convened by former presidents Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil, César Gaviria of Colombia and Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico and composed of 17 independent personalities, the Commission evaluated the impact of the “war on drugs” and presented recommendations for safer, more efficient and humane policies. Its three main recommendations are to: 1) treat drug use as a public health issue; 2) reduce consumption through information and prevention actions; and 3) focus law enforcement efforts on organized crime. For the full statement in English, see: http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/Latin_American_Commission.EN.pdf and in Spanish: http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/Latin_American_Commission.ES.pdf 9. NEW ADVOCACY WEBSITES Two new websites have been launched during February to provide a wide range of information, materials and activities to a global audience interested in the impact of drug use and drug policies on ordinary people. - Release has launched a viral website that brings together film and audio clips, interviews, reportage, etc that illuminate different aspects of drug culture, drug policy, and drug use - www.talkingdrugs.org - Hungarian Civil Liberties Union launched the www.daretoact.net website to raise awareness on the futility of the global war on drugs. EVENTS 9. HARM REDUCTION 2009: APRIL 20th 2009 There are only a few weeks now until “Harm Reduction 2009: IHRA’s 20th International Conference” in Bangkok, Thailand on April 20th - 23rd. The programme is now available to download on the conference website and includes a diverse range of sessions and topics. The conference will also be an essential forum for discussions and networking in the aftermath of the High Level Meeting and the 2009 Commission of Narcotic Drugs in March. Online registration is now open, and the website provides all of the essential information for delegates - including an online accommodation booking service and information on visas and medical / harm reduction services in Bangkok. For further information, please visit the link below: www.ihraconferences.net 10. CONNECTIONS CONFERENCE - JOINING THE DOTS: CRIMINAL JUSTICE, TREATMENT AND HARM REDUCTION The first Connections Conference will be held on 25-27th March, in Krakow, Poland and the theme will be “joining the dots: criminal justice, treatment and harm reduction”. The aim of the conference is to facilitate the development of knowledge and an evidence base for different harm reduction and drug free interventions for drug users, which can be implemented throughout the criminal justice process, building on the work of ENDIPP (the European Network on Drugs and Infections in Prison). The conference will be of interest to professionals, policy makers and researchers in the field of police, prisons, health and criminal justice and will cover issues including: reducing drug use and infections in police and prison custody; alternatives to imprisonment; and effective drug treatment and harm reduction in prisons. The conference programme is available at: http://www.connectionsproject.eu/conference2009/conference-programme and, for registration, go to: www.connectionsproject.eu/2009 Please feel free to pass this alert on to any contacts who may be interested in drug policy issues. 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