North America

US President Nixon launched the "war on drugs" in the 1970s. Today, incarceration, social marginalisation and drug-related deaths have led North America to rethink this strategy. However, although positive developments are happening locally in the fields of harm reduction, alternatives to incarceration, new drug law enforcement approaches and cannabis regulation, the US and Canadian federal governments remain resistant to drug policy reform.

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Results 1 to 20 of 933.

Marijuana arrests are increasing despite legalization, new FBI data shows

Despite more states legalising cannabis in the US, almost 600,000 people were arrested for simple cannabis possession in 2017.

News Alerts 3 days, 20 hours ago

Evaluation of a fentanyl drug checking service for clients of a supervised injection facility, Vancouver, Canada

The study confirms the local pervasiveness of fentanyl adulteration and the harm reduction potential of drug checking services in safer consumption sites.

Publications September 28, 2018

Trump to host UN meeting on drug policy: Veneer of consensus masks deep disagreement on global drug policy

Far from an effort at achieving mutual understanding and genuine consensus on drug policy, the "Global Call to Action" is yet another instance of heavy-handed U.S. “with us or against us” diplomacy.

Blog Posts September 21, 2018

By Martin Jelsma

By John Walsh

By Hannah HetzerDrug Policy Alliance

By Ann FordhamExecutive Director

‘The crisis is not abating’: Opioids killing more than 11 Canadians daily

Earlier this summer, the Ontario government put a freeze on plans to open new overdose-prevention sites.

News Alerts September 20, 2018

Sixty-second Regular Session of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD)

19 - 21 November 2018

Washington, D.C., United States

The upcoming session of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) will be held in Washington DC from the 19-21 November 2018.

Events 18 September 2018

California Senate passes landmark safe consumption site bill

Building on years of community advocacy, the law aims to curb the increasing number of overdose deaths in San Francisco.

News Alerts September 17, 2018

Preventing (preventable) opioid overdose deaths: How legal reforms in North America can promote life-saving interventions

Current criminal legislation hinders lifesaving medical attention seeking behaviour, fuelling the overdose death epidemic in the US and beyond.

Blog Posts August 31, 2018

By Kimberly GrinbergCommunication Officer - CSTF

Decision to halt overdose prevention sites in Ontario 'horrifying,' advocates say

The decision of the government of Ontario is hard to understand in the context of an ongoing overdose crisis.

News Alerts August 15, 2018

In Amsterdam, drug-checking centres make sure illegal substances are safe for users. Should Canada do it?

Considering the high rates of contamination by fentanyl, Canada should embrace a comprehensive understanding of harm reduction as a policy-making principle.

News Alerts August 15, 2018

The environmental impacts of the legalisation of cannabis in California

GDPO argues that a sustainable cannabis industry needs to improve data collection on water, waste, and energy consumption.

Publications July 19, 2018

Cannabis decriminalization: A study of recent policy change in five U.S. states

International Journal of Drug Policy published a report that suggests decriminalisation of marijuana does not lead to increased use amongst young people.

Publications July 18, 2018

In Mexico, SSDP activists fight violence and stigma caused by the war on drugs

In explaining the struggle led by SSDP in Mexico, Marisa Morales proves the significance of SSDP which needs your help to improve its international activities.

News Alerts July 13, 2018

Incoming Mexican president to seek negotiated peace in drug war

Inspired by Colombia, the new Mexican president Lopez Obrador proposes a “transitional justice” based on amnesty and decriminalisation to stop the drug war.

News Alerts July 10, 2018

Lessons from Vancouver: U.S. cities consider supervised injection facilities

Seeing success in other public health models, the U.S. will consider drug consumption rooms as the opioid crisis continues its destruction.

News Alerts July 6, 2018

Ending the war on drugs in the U.S.

Centre for American Progress suggests harm reduction is a necessary tool and paradigm shift that must occur in order for the U.S. to end its war on drugs and address the opioid crisis.

Publications June 28, 2018

More than 140 organizations condemn President Trump's call to execute people for nonviolent drug offenses

Over 140 organisations condemned President Trump's call to use the death penalty in drug related cases and instead implored the administration to focus on reforms to combat the war on drugs.

News Alerts June 27, 2018

Drug users want to lead Victoria’s opioid crisis battle

The Society of Living Intravenous Drug Users (SOLID) has implemented community programs to assist other drug users in the fight against the opioid crisis through harm reduction programs and advocacy, however in order to continue the work they do, the government must increase its financial support.

News Alerts June 26, 2018

As fentanyl seeps into drugs, activists urge users to test

A new harm reduction measure has been implemented in states like Minnesota where heroin users are given strips that test for the presence of fentanyl, a cheaper, more powerful drug.

News Alerts June 25, 2018

Ontario promotes free use of opioid antidote

The availability of naloxone has served as a successful harm reduction measure in Ontario and other Canadian provinces, laying a groundwork for a similar model in the United States where the opioid crisis continues to surge.