Civil society workshop - Modernising the global drug control system – Can Europe lead?

Last year saw the 50th anniversary of the signing of the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. It was designed to make the world a safer and healthier place for all mankind. In this it has clearly failed. Instead, we are facing unprecedented levels of drug use and drug crime today.

It is time to adapt, or at the very least reinterpret the UN Drug Conventions and some of the national laws that were designed to implement them. Join us for a debate followed by a lunch to discuss:

Modernising the global drug control system – Can Europe lead?

29th May 2012, 1.00 – 3.30pm

Renaissance Hotel, Rue du Parnasse 19, Brussels, Belgium

The Global Commission on Drug Policy, and the International Drug Policy Consortium, will be hosting a civil society debate on this issue on 29th May in Brussels. Speakers will include:

• Pavel Bem, Member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy and Former Mayor of Prague, member of the Parliament, Czech Republic;
• Michel Kazatchkine, Member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, and former Executive director of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria;
• Ruth Dreifuss, Member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, and former President of Switzerland (to be confirmed);
• Mike Trace, Chair of IDPC, and former Chair of the European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction.

We would be delighted if you could join us to discuss the role that the EU, its member states and institutions can play in bringing about a more effective and more humane multilateral system of drug control, one that can be adapted to the needs and cultures of different regions, and truly protect the health and welfare of individuals and communities.

Please confirm your presence before 21st May 2012 by sending the reply form to Skye Andruszko by fax to +44 (0) 20 7324 2977, or by email to sandruszko@idpc.net.

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