It’s a very simple question: Are drugs a political issue? Join us for the last live Stop and Search podcast recording of 2016!

Drug policy- the divide between the political ‘left’ and ‘right’ has never been more blurred. Why does the issue of drugs cut cross the party lines? Is it about time we completely took the issue out of the realms of politics and look for a health-based approach?

Joining us to provide insight from behind the political veil, we have:

Ian Birrell - Ian is a former deputy editor of the Independent and worked as a speechwriter for David Cameron during the 2010 election campaign. His bylines include the Daily Mail, Guardian, inews.co.uk

Ian Dunt - Working as the editor for politics.co.uk, Ian is a pundit and regular on the broadcasting circuit. He lends his experienced voice to the political issues of the day. Ian has written extensively on drug policy

Julian Huppert - As Liberal Democrat MP for Cambridge (2010 – 2015), Dr Julian Huppert had the distinction of being the most scientifically qualified Member of Parliament. He served on the influential Home Affairs Select Committee which held an inquiry into drug policy

To register, please follow this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/left-or-right-are-drugs-a-political-issue-tickets-29164325282

Keep up-to-date with drug policy developments by subscribing to the IDPC Monthly Alert.

Left or Right: Are Drugs a Political Issue?

by Blaksox, Choices Consortium, OBV, Coreplan

Join us for the launch of our explosive new report which explores the views of British Black youth and communities on UK Drugs Policy 2016

Mike Trace: Rapt CEO, founder and former Chair of the International Drugs Policy Consortium

Patrick Vernon: Chair, Labour Party Race Equality Advisory Group

Jane Slater: Transform, International Think Tank

Simon Woolley: OBV CEO and Open Society Board member

Annette Dale Perera: Report co-author and member of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

Lee Jasper: Report co-author and Community Organiser

Viv Ahmun: Report co-author, founder of Coreplan

Our report is a result of a consultation with Black young people and communities in London, Birmingham and Manchester on UK Drugs policy, using as a backdrop the seminal and influential report by the national charity, Release: 

The numbers in black and white: Ethnic disparities in the policing and prosecution of drug offences in England and Wales 

"Black and Asian people are being stopped and searched for drugs at a much higher rate than white people. Black people are also being subject to harsher sanctions for drug possession offences."

This event is by invite only and places are very limited. Please arrive 30 minutes early to allow time for security checks

Is the UK drugs war really a war on black communities?

From 1 - 2 December, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) will be holding its reconvened 59th Session.

Putting the UNGASS Outcome Document into Practice: Results of the Brandenburg Forum on Drugs and Development Policies

 the GIZ Global Partnership on Drug Policies and Development (GPDPD), jointly with TNI and IDPC.


: Wednesday 30th November. 13:00 – 13:50.


: CR4 (C-Building), Vienna International Centre

Joint Special Side Event by CND and Commission on the Status of Women on Gender Mainstreaming

Keep up-to-date with drug policy developments by subscribing to the IDPC Monthly Alert.

CND reconvened 59th session, and special segment on UNGASS 2016 

World AIDS Day is held on the 1st December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day, held for the first time in 1988.

Over 100,000 people are living with HIV in the UK. Globally there are an estimated 34 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. Despite this, each year in the UK around 6,000 people are diagnosed with HIV, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with the condition.

World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

Events

Left or Right: Are Drugs a Political Issue?

Is the UK drugs war really a war on black communities?

CND reconvened 59th session, and special segment on UNGASS 2016

World AIDS day