The launch of the report brought together over 60 representatives from civil society, community networks and public authorities, prompting a discussion on the need to end rights-violating practices against people who use drugs.
Despite significant enduring challenges, Thailand's criminal justice reforms offer promise in a region marked by highly punitive responses to drug use and related activities.
Through presentations, debate and exercises, judges familiarised themselves with new law and suggested additions to the guidelines to reduce uncertainty in the implementation.
Governments and UN entities must take up their “historical responsibility” and reform drug policies ensuring that human rights are front and centre. At this juncture, with the drug war’s harms laid bare, anything less would be unconscionable.
The question of ‘when change is going to finally happen’ will continue to be a difficult one. But we can confidently say that thanks to Support. Don't Punish campaigners' shared and steadfast commitment, it is much closer than it was 10 years ago.
The Mexican Supreme Court's decision troubles its previously-stated position on the unconstitutionality of the absolute prohibition of the personal use of cannabis.
Tensions flared between CND Member States as Russia and Latvia clashed over leadership of financial and governance working group overseeing UNODC's work.
Recent policy developments suggest an acknowledgement of the need to pare down the harmful impacts of punitive drug policies, but fall short from embracing international standards.
Ghana's model of depenalisation means that police officers will retain enforcement powers, but responses will hinge on administrative penalties and diversion.
Fighting the imperialist 'war on drugs' must be part of a much broader struggle to dismantle the multiple overlapping systems of oppression that have sought to despoil and disappear Indigenous communities worldwide.
Communities already experiencing intersecting forms of marginalisation should be given special attention as the COVID-19 response continues to be rolled out.
As long as UNODC continues to carefully and deliberately hold back from mentioning the harmful impact of states’ own drug policies, we cannot trust the agency to communicate all the facts.
The ever flimsy veil of consensus continues to fall away as the weight of the damage and failure of punitive drug policies becomes ever more undeniable.
Accessible and evidence-based treatment services for people experiencing difficulties in relation to their drug use are rare in Thailand. Investment in a public health approach, departing from harmful and costly punitive responses, is urgently needed.
Besides the material losses and psychological impact of the demolition of ROG, this action speaks of the deteriorating conditions for community and civic mobilisation in Slovenia.
We stand in solidarity with our members, partners, donors and friends in continuing the fight for social justice, for human rights and to end the damaging ‘war on drugs’.
At a recent workshop organised under the SPIRIT project, transgender sex workers who use drugs shared experiences and learning on harm reduction and the need for alternatives to punishment.
