Despite presiding over one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in the world, Russia continues to reject proven harm reduction measures, imperilling the lives of one of its most vulnerable populations: injection drug users.
The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, which intervened in the case as part of an international coalition, applauded the decision in the joint statement available below.
Since coming to power in 2006, the current Canadian government has persisted in attempting to push its tough-on-crime agenda, including the imposition of mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug crimes—despite the proven failure of such measures in the U.S. context.
GPs across the UK will soon be able to prescribe life-saving injecting kits pioneered nationally by Scotland’s ground-breaking Take Home Naloxone programme.
The International Centre on Human Rights and Drug Policy is currently seeking submissions for the second edition of the International Journal on Human Rights and Drug Policy. The deadline for submissions is 15 November 2011.
Those responsible for the deaths of thousands of people during the "war on drugs" conducted in Thailand from 2003 to 2005 continue to enjoy impunity for their crimes over six years on.
Youth articulated messages from the conference in unequivocal, spirited language. Beyond mere protest, these statements also included several propositions for useful reforms.
As part of a global drive to remove barriers to progress in the AIDS response, policy-makers and community advocates joined experts from the Global Commission on HIV and the Law for the final in a series of seven dialogues that have been held across the world.
This action aims to make sure that Commonwealth leaders take the lead in promoting legal reform among member states to enable a more effective response to HIV, particularly among vulnerable groups.
The Greek government is in the process of reviewing its drug laws, which will notably include decriminalisation of drug use, depenalisation of supply, possession and cultivation of cannabis for personal use and the promotion of treatment for dependent users.
After a few years of relative peace under the rule of a mafia boss, the Colombian city of Medellín, birthplace of the first great narco-trafficking cartel, has seen violent crime soar once again. The culprits are from a new generation of urban youth specializing in protection rackets, drug sales and assassinations.
The 2011 Afghan Opium Survey reports an increase in opium production and prices, and sustained high rates of opiate consumption and HIV prevalence amongst injecting drug users in Afghanistan.