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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Responding to America's opioids crisis

28 February 2019 15:00-17:00

Washington Office on Latin America, 1666 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 400

The discussion will unfold options on how to deal with ever growing issue, including the likes of future domestic policy direction and curtail supplies of opioids from overseas.

Events 1 day, 9 hours ago

White House priorities opioid abuse in first national drug control strategy

"It lacks imagination, urgency or any real innovation when it comes to tackling one of the biggest crises of our time -- the overdose crisis," (M.Collins, Drug Policy Alliance)

News Alerts February 11, 2019

8th International Conference on Hepatitis Care in Substance Users

11 - 13 September 2019

Le Westin, Montréal, Canada

From the 11th to the 13th of September, Montréal will host the INHSU, who's objective is to create a global network that works with local partners to support health care workers, policy makers, researchers and people who use drugs to increase hepatitis C prevention and care.

Events 11 February 2019

Rethinking drug courts: International experiences of a US policy export

The LSE IDPU argue question the effectiveness of drug courts courts, proposing instead a direction that aims to divert individuals involved with drugs, from the criminal justice system.

Publications February 6, 2019

United States national drug control strategy - 2019

The White House publishes its long-awaited drug control strategy, with the overarching objective of 'building a stronger, healthier, drug free society'.

Publications February 1, 2019

Rights-based approach to overdose epidemic must include decriminalisation

The criminalisation of people who use drugs is inconsistent with human rights norms.

News Alerts February 1, 2019

US Attorney General nominee says he’s “not going after” marijuana in states where it’s legal

Barr would end looming threat posed by predecessor's stance on cannabis regulation.

News Alerts January 30, 2019

Sexual minorities more likely to suffer severe substance use disorders

The study presents that people uncertain about their sexual identity were 'five times' more likely to suffer from a severe disorder.

News Alerts January 30, 2019

Voices of Civil Society: Beyond 2019 - CSTF civil society hearing in New York

20 February 2019

New York, United States

The CSTF civil society hearing in New York is expected to take place on 20 February.

Events 29 January 2019

Trinidad and Tobago to decriminalise cannabis, consider legalisation

Advocacy groups, including Rastafari organisations, say the move falls short of the need for legal regulation.

News Alerts January 23, 2019

How drugs pour into the United States from Mexico

Trump's suggestion that a border wall will stem tide of drugs doesn't stand scrutiny.

News Alerts January 23, 2019

USA: Man charged with homicide for sharing drugs with woman who later died

Tackling fatal overdoses necessitates reducing obstacles to call emergency services, including those imposed by criminal law on people sharing drugs.

News Alerts January 23, 2019

USA: Finally, a leading mega-giver steps up for the opioid crisis as the death toll rises

Bloomberg Philanthropies has pledged $50 million to fighting the overdose crisis.

News Alerts January 23, 2019

US soldiers plead guilty to attempting to smuggle $1 million worth of cocaine from Colombia aboard military plane

Newsweek

Thumbnail: Flickr CC Daniel Zanini H.

Coverage January 10, 2019

Denver could become the first US city to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms

The ordinance would, however, make the use and possession of psilocybin by people above age 21 the city's "lowest law enforcement priority.

News Alerts January 10, 2019

Washington state to pardon 3,500 drug convictions, governor says

Thousands convicted of small-time possession charges will see their records expunged.

News Alerts January 7, 2019

Ending the overdose epidemic in Canada starts with a safe supply of drugs

Tackling the uncertainty of the black market supply is a key harm reduction response to the epidemic of death afflicting people who use drugs.

News Alerts January 7, 2019

Women in prison: The devastating impact of rising incarceration in the Americas

What are the most recent trends regarding women’s incarceration in the Americas? What are the innovative strategies being launched to counter this phenomenon? And how are affected women coming together and organising for reform?