Asia: Advocating for humane and effective drug policies

In many parts of the world, governments have begun to openly question the effectiveness of repressive drug control policies. However in Asia, drug policy debate is seriously limited. Both the use and supply of controlled drugs are regarded as a threat to state security that must be eradicated, justifying the implementation of severely punitive drug policies. There is little public support for challenging these harsh policies.

Gloria Lai (International Drug Policy Consortium) argues that civil society must advocate for, and help facilitate, a more open and rational dialogue with governments to encourage them to engage in an honest assessment of the current approach. This dialogue is urgently needed in the lead up to the UN General Assembly Special Session on the world drug problem in April 2016.

The article is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese here.

Keep up-to-date with drug policy developments by subscribing to the IDPC Monthly Alert.

Thumbnail: CC AFN-Pacific Hawaii News Bureau Hawaii