The "war on drugs", which has wreaked havoc on millions of people across the world, is rife with racism, fuels the HIV pandemic and remains a total failure.
Three activists from Ukraine, Russia and Norway and shares their insights concerning the effects of COVID-19 on people who use drugs and the responses from the community and governmental levels.
A report by the OHCHR confirmed findings and concerns of widespread and systematic killings and arbitrary detention in the context of the war on drugs, killings and abuses targeting farmers and indigenous peoples, the silencing of independent media, critics and the opposition.
As the COVID-19 pandemic, and government responses to it, are exacerbating existing inequalities that pose particular risks and challenges for people who use drugs, States must use this opportunity to put in place effective policies to protect their rights.
WADPN has provided people who use drugs with credible information, protective equipment, food items and hygienic paraphernalia, whilst urging enforcement officers to reduce raids and incarcerations.
The Ganja Growers and Producers Association says the industry was not designed with a ground-up approach and that regulations are unworkable, restrictive and draconian.
As farmers are left with acres of coca leaf but no means to sell it and cartels are adapting their trafficking patterns, the economic consequences of the pandemic are becoming increasingly visible.
