The EMCDDA is preparing a thematic paper to highlight key issues from the perspective of people who are attempting to reduce their drug, cigarette and alcohol consumption or overcome their dependence, and wishes to learn more about people working in the field and people trying to reduce or quit drug use.
On the 17th February 2011, an international coalition of harm reduction experts — comprised of the International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA), the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, and CACTUS Montréal — were granted intervener status to appear before the Supreme Court of Canada to support Insite, Vancouver’s supervised injection site, against the Canadian government’s attempts to shutter it. The outcome of this decision will carry serious implications for other jurisdictions across Canada.
From 21st to 25th March 2011, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs will gather in Vienna, Austria, to discuss the international drug situation and the implementation of the UN drug control conventions. This webpage is updated regularly to provide updates on the CND.
A coalition of health and human rights organisations have voiced their fears that the Thai government’s planned round up of people suspected of using drugs will trample on human rights and potentially rekindle widespread abuses of vulnerable people.
A Russian coalition and international partners representing affected communities, activists, practitioners and NGOs working on HIV/AIDS and harm reduction, has been urging the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to call the Russian government to implement harm reduction programmes to curb the concentrated HIV epidemic among drug users.
On 28 January 2011, President Barack Obama said that drug legalisation and regulation was "an entirely legitimate topic for debate" but that he was not in favor of legalisation. He then declared that drug abuse should be considered as a public health issue and that a shift of resources was required away from the traditional approach of incarcerating non violent drug offenders.
Through focusing on the promotion of individual and community health, this course will guide participants in developing a comprehensive understanding of current policies, programs and practices which address the harms which may result from the use and distribution of licit and illicit drugs.
In December 2010, the Court of Milan published the grounds of the sentence of 14 years' imprisonment that was imposed on Giampaolo Ganzer, General of the Carabinieri (body of the Italian Army), for drug trafficking. Despite the judgement, Granzer continues his activities as a general.
The evaluation of the XVIII International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2010) which was held in Vienna, Austria from 18 to 23 July 2010, has now been completed, and the full report is now available online.
The Senior Programme Officer who will be involved with grant-giving and will report to the Programme Director. The post is based in Budapest, Hungary, and the deadline for applications is 17 February 2011.
The purpose of the Commission is to bring to the international level an informed, science-based discussion about humane and effective ways to reduce the harm caused by drugs to people and societies.