By HIV Legal Network

On June 17, 2021, the HIV Legal Network held its 9th Symposium on HIV, Law, and Human Rights. This biannual symposium serves as one of Canada’s seminal events regarding HIV and human rights and offers an opportunity for education and networking among advocates, frontline…

UNDP discuss Thailand-specific data on substance use–related behaviours of the LGBT community which could potentially put LGBT people at risk, and provide recommendations to ensure their safety.

The Center for Court Innovation argues that the most effective way for drug courts to evolve is by integrating the practices and principles of harm reduction, which aims to reduce the harms related to drug use, racialised drug law enforcement, and social health disparities.

WHRIN and YouthRISE set out core issues and recommendations to end the harms of punitive drug policy on young women.

HRI report on the inhumane, disproportionate, militarised drug control policies of Sri Lanka, from its discriminatory legal framework to its use of the death penalty for simple possession.

Kilmer et al. discuss the inequities associated with cannabis prohibition, particularly its enforcement against racialised communities, and consider opportunities to advance social equity in the area of cannabis policy.

RAND outlines the potential impacts of a drop in demand for Afghan opiates, urging the international community to monitor the market and invest in rural development.

Kavanagh et al. provide evidence on the negative impact of criminalising key populations on HIV status awareness and viral suppression.

PRI and IDPC detail how policymakers and practitioners in the criminal legal system can reduce the imprisonment of women for drug-related offences in line with international standards.

Christopher Hallam (GDPO) argues for increased support toward heroin-assisted treatment (HAT) by national governments and international bodies, including the INCB.

SSDP considers that the 'drugs cost lives' narrative, although well-meaning, is stigmatising and harmful, and fuels damaging approaches based on prohibition, punishment and criminalisation.

Iversen and Maher suggest low adherence to antiretroviral therapy could be greatly reduced by engagement with opioid agonist therapy.

Rêgo et al. argue that, despite the positive progress enabled by the Portuguese model, its limited ambitions, lack of update, and regressions toward punitive responses have severely undermined its potential.

EMCDDA explores the epidemiology of drug-related health problems in prisons, discussing available harm reduction measures and persistent challenges in these settings.

PITCH recaps their successes from the past five years in advancing health and human rights issues for those affected by HIV.

Kvamme et al. suggest that a significant proportion of Danish users of cannabis as medicine are motivated by a desire to alleviate their ailments whilst minimising the negative side effects that they associate with legal prescription drugs.

Grisaffi et al. argue that the successes of coca regulation in Bolivia could be replicated in Peru, as long as efforts centre community empowerment and participation.

HRI outlines harm reduction practices and interventions aimed at improving the health and well-being of people who engage in chemsex.

UNODC summarises the state of drug markets and provides insight into a range of related health challenges, including in relation to COVID-19.

The 64th session of the CND was marked by the increase in prominence of health and human rights narratives, the proceedings' 'hybrid format' and a welcome long-overdue shift in the US stance on harm reduction.