IDPC

Publications

Results 3481 to 3492 of 3838
3 March 2010

IDPC Drug Policy Guide, First edition

The ‘war on drugs’ has failed to eradicate drug markets and use. A growing number of policy options are available to address drug-related harms. The IDPC Guide brings together global evidence and best practice to assist national policy makers in the design and implementation of drug policies. The Guide will be updated regularly to reflect new developments in the drug policy field.
3 March 2010

IDPC Magazine 1 - Human rights violations in the name of drug control

Welcome to the first issue of the IDPC magazine. The stories in this inaugural issue tell us of the disproportionate harm suffered by individuals because of badly focused resources that target low-level “offending”, and of the human rights abuses committed in the name of drug control.
1 March 2010

Drug-misusing offenders: results from the 2008 cohort for England and Wales

This report presents statistics on the proven offending by individuals identified as Class A drug misusing offenders. Both drug use amongst offenders, and their levels of offending can be difficult to measure with confidence. The data presented in this report are intended to provide a proxy measure which indicates the level of proven offending by known (Class A) drug-misusing individuals who have been identified through their contact with the criminal justice system.
26 February 2010

Briefing Note - Development oriented drug policy

In the long term, the task at the international level is to establish an alternative discourse regarding development-oriented drug policy, in which the voices of civil society actors should be heard.
24 February 2010

Human Rights Watch: “Skin on the Cable”

In this 93-page report Human Rights Watch documents detainees being beaten, raped, forced to donate blood, and subjected to painful physical punishments such as "rolling like a barrel" and being chained while standing in the sun. Human Rights Watch also reported that a large number of detainees told of receiving rotten or insect-ridden food and symptoms of diseases consistent with nutritional deficiencies.
23 February 2010

TNI Briefing - Countering illicit and unregulated money flows

In this issue of Crime & Globalisation, Tom Blickman tracks the history of the international anti-money laundering (AML) regime. Since its origin in 1989 there has been a growing awareness that the AML regime is not working as well as intended. After two decades of failed efforts, experts still ponder how to implement one that does work. The paper concludes that current initiatives have reached their sale-by date and that a bolder approach is required at the UN level, moving from recommendations to obligations, and fully engaging developing nations, at present left out in the current 'club'-oriented process.
23 February 2010

Human Rights Watch: UN should review role in Cambodian drug detention centres

Human Rights Watch issued a 93-page report, "Skin on the Cable," on January 25, 2010, with reports of widespread beatings, whippings, and electric shock to detainees, including children and individuals with mental disabilities, in seven Cambodian drug detention centers. In response, several United Nations agencies, including the joint UN program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO), have spoken out about the abuses. But the two UN agencies that work most closely with the government in detention centers and on drug policy, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), have been less vocal.
23 February 2010

UNODC Report - Afghanistan opium survey 2010, winter rapid assessment

In a report issued on 10 February 2010, UNODC projects stable cultivation of opium poppy in Afghanistan this year (measured hectares), with a possible decrease in production (number of tons). "There is a good chance that Afghanistan will produce less opium this year," said UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa. Afghan opium is the raw material for the world's deadliest drug - heroin - and a major source of revenue for anti-government forces in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries. Mr. Costa underlined the need for development assistance, good governance and highlighted the strong correlation between insurgency and cultivation in Afghanistan. "The message is clear: in order to further reduce the biggest source of the world's deadliest drug, there must be better security, development and governance in Afghanistan," said the head of UNODC. "The Afghan authorities must lead and own their drug control strategy: the rest of the world has a vested interest in its success," said Mr. Costa.
23 February 2010

UNODC - Legal and policy concerns related to IDU harm reduction in SAARC countries

In the last two decades, countries belonging to the SAARC region have seen a dramatic increase in the prevalence of HIV and injecting drug use. As a result, public authorities have implemented harm reduction measures including condom promotion and needle syringe exchange. In view of the positive international experience and some success in countries in South Asia, a need was felt to replicate and expand harm reduction measures. However, questions have arisen as to whether these measures were within the bounds of national laws or whether the national laws hinder them and, if so, what can be done about them. This is the broad focus of this document.
12 February 2010

Under the Skin: Draws on affidavits and testimonies from people across Canada with experience using drugs or sharing needles inside a federal prison

The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network’s most recent publication, Under the Skin, brings a new dimension to prison-based needle and syringe programs (PNSPs). Drawing on affidavits and testimonies from people with experience using drugs inside a federal prison, Under the Skin paints a portrait of suffering and discrimination that challenges both international guidelines and Canada’s own Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
1 February 2010

The High Point drug market initiative

The High Point Police Department in High Point, North Carolina has gained attention from the U.S. Department of Justice and police departments, prosecutors, and local governmental officials through a strategic problem solving intervention that has come to be known as the High Point Drug Market Intervention Program (DMI).
27 January 2010

It's lack of balance that makes skunk cannabis do harm

This article argues that the chemical imbalance in street cannabis (skunk) makes it more harmful. If the recreational cannabis market was regulated to ensure a balanced chemical structure in cannabis it would be safer for users.