A pesar de los miles de millones gastados en las políticas de drogas, las políticas europeas de drogas no han logrado proteger la salud y la seguridad de nuestras comunidades.

El uso de drogas está alcanzando récords históricos. Cada año entran nuevas sustancias en el mercado. Las políticas de guerra contra las drogas no han podido detener el creciente poder del crimen organizado. La evidencia muestra que la prevención, el tratamiento y la reducción de daños son necesarios para salvar vidas y proteger nuestras comunidades, pero los servicios de atención a las personas que usan drogas carecen de recursos y de apoyos políticos.

Las elecciones europeas de 2024 deben conllevar un cambio de paradigma. Este manifiesto establece una visión para una política europea de drogas pragmática, innovadora y centrada en los derechos humanos que generará comunidades más sanas y seguras. Invitamos a todas las organizaciones de la sociedad civil, partidos políticos y personas candidatas a las elecciones a respaldar las siguientes llamadas a la acción.

Por una política de drogas que haga a Europa más segura, más sana y más justa - Manifiesto para las elecciones al Parlamento Europeo de 2024

Más allá de la culpabilidad del ex presidente, el país debe emprender un proceso de rendición de cuentas y cambio para garantizar que esta tragedia no se ciontinúe repitiendo. Más información, en inglés, está disponible abajo.

Tides are turning against those who instigated the war on drugs under the previous administration. Despite President Marcos’ pronouncement that he will “not lift a finger” to assist the International Criminal Court in its probe on former president Rodrigo Duterte’s crimes against humanity, recent events have pointed to growing apprehension in the Duterte camp. The ongoing rift between the Dutertes and Marcoses further creates a fragile situation that will keep the drug war instigators constantly on their toes.

Undoubtedly, the arrest of Duterte and his ilk would be a big step toward justice for the drug war victims and their aggrieved families. But beyond Duterte’s arrest, there are critical issues fundamental to moving past the war on drugs. First, we must have a thorough accounting of the harm caused by this war; second, a progressive drug policy alternative must be laid out, and finally, we need to change the narrative toward a more humane approach to substance abuse.

Any effort for reform must start with a clear and honest assessment of what happened previously. The death toll is a common way to start. The number of deaths alone is enough to trigger outrage, although as the corpses piled up, the staggering numbers slowly lost their shock value. Near the end of Duterte’s term, only the organization Dahas continues to keep tabs on the death toll. Sadder still is the fact that the killings are just a sliver of the harm done. Children have to bear the trauma of seeing their fathers shot. Distrust prevails in barangays where neighbors and local officials listed “drug suspects” in their own community. Professional groups who were expected to push for an evidence-informed health policy fell silent, with some subscribing to the hegemony on substance use.

La guerra contra las drogas en Filipinas no acabará con Duterte en la cárcel

Los activistas en favor de la reducción de daños crearon el espacio como un acto de desobediencia civil, resaltando las deficiencias en la respuesta de salud pública del país para quienes consumen drogas. Más información, en inglés, está disponible abajo.

In order to raise public awareness of effective overdose-death prevention methods, activists set up an unofficial drug consumption room in the middle of Helsinki.

A tent was set up in the centre of Helsinki, where those who inject drugs could come and use them safely, with the support of health professionals offering help, advice, hygienic equipment, and food. The facility aimed to prevent drug overdoses and infections related to the sharing of injecting equipment.

At around 4:50 p.m. on Wednesday, the police arrived and asked the activists to disassemble the tent. The tent was disassembled shortly after.

According to the organisers, the police argued that there was a reasonable suspicion that people committed crimes in the tent. However, according to the organisers, no one has visited the tent to use drugs, so there is no reason for the police to suspect.

According to Juha-Pekka Pääskysaari, one of the organisers of the event, this was an act of civil disobedience, borne out of the frustration of professionals and activists that the establishment of drug consumption rooms in Finland has progressed so slowly.

Pääskysaari, like other volunteers, said he was not representing any organisation. The action was organised by individual citizens protesting repressive drug policies.

“Simply put, this is civil disobedience,” said Pääskysaari. “By setting up this room, we want to highlight how people with substance abuse are treated in society. How can there be one group of people in this society whose illness is treated as a crime?”

La policía destruyó un espacio "ilegal” para consumo de drogas en Helsinki

El Gobierno afirmó que la iniciativa pretendía identificar cambios en las leyes, políticas y prácticas eficaces para reducir los daños relacionados con las drogas. Más información, en inglés, está disponible abajo.

The Cabinet has approved a new Citizens' Assembly on drug use at its meeting in Dublin.

In a statement, the Government said the assembly will be asked to consider the legislative, policy and operational changes the State could make to significantly reduce the harmful impacts of ilegal drugs on individuals, families, communities and wider society.

Chief Whip and Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton, said: "Drug use affects all members of society, whether directly or through families and communities, and it imposes significant health and financial costs. Involving citizens in decision-making on drugs policy is therefore appropriate.

"I want to ensure that the voice of young people is heard at the Citizens' Assembly, as they can be particularly impacted by drug use. To this end, I have initiated a consultation with young people through Comhairle na nÓg and youth drug projects in disadvantaged areas, which will be presented to the Citizens' Assembly for its consideration".

Minister Naughton said she would bring forward a motion to the Dáil and Seanad next week to formally establish the assembly.

It is expected to begin its work in April and conclude the process by the end of this year.

Participación y rendición de cuentas

Por una política de drogas que haga a Europa más segura, más sana y más justa - Manifiesto para las elecciones al Parlamento Europeo de 2024

La guerra contra las drogas en Filipinas no acabará con Duterte en la cárcel

La policía destruyó un espacio "ilegal” para consumo de drogas en Helsinki

Irlanda: El Consejo de Ministros aprueba una nueva Asamblea Ciudadana sobre el uso de drogas