North America

Publications1 January 1970

'Disrupt and vilify': The war on immigrants inside the US war on drugs

The Drug Policy Alliance and Human Rights Watch presents recommendations on immigration and drug laws that disproportionately affect migrants

Events

Addressing the fentanyl overdose crisis effectively: evidence from the border and beyond

Online

10 October 2024 - 10 October 2024

Join experts in a webinar hosted by WOLA as they explore adverse effects of militarised drug policies and the need for effective, rights-based solutions to the overdose crisis.

News2 October 2024

Canada: Drug decriminalisation is under attack

Communities must unite against the political weaponisation of the overdose crisis and defend human-rights-focused solutions such as decriminalisation and harm reduction.

News2 October 2024

Why drug overdose deaths in the US are dropping fast

Provisional data shows a 10.6% decrease in overdose deaths, and scaled-up public health and harm reduction efforts could be a contributing factor.

News2 October 2024

Canada: 17 organisations condemn forced detention plans in BC

A comprehensive response should include community-based and voluntary programmes, and solutions to the housing, toxic drug supply, and poverty crises.

Publications1 October 2024

Criminal legal system engagement among people who use drugs in Oregon following decriminalization of drug possession

Smiley-McDonald et al. find that despite decriminalisation, people who use drugs in Oregon continued to face high levels of policing, incarceration and drug seizures, whilst awareness of decriminalisation remained low.

Publications1 October 2024

Know your rights: On drug laws for Indigenous people who use drugs

The HIV Legal Network highlight the deep-rooted colonialism and racism underpinning Canada's drug laws, offering Indigenous people who use drugs crucial knowledge about their legal rights and protections.

Events

NHRC trainings and webinars: 'Las Americas Harm Reduction Spotlight Series'

Online

NHRC announces several bilingual, virtual events and training opportunities to promote education, engagement, and empowerment alongside communities affected by drug use and racialized drug policies.

Publications16 September 2024

The false promises of Oregon’s drug recriminalisation - Factsheet

Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) explains the decriminalisation model in Oregon, its reversal after a misinformation campaign, and the costs and harms of recriminalisation.

News13 September 2024

Overdose prevention centers are health care: Treat them as such

These harm reduction sites provide crucial preventive and lifesaving services, making them a key part of a health and rights approach.

Publications12 September 2024

Drug decriminalization, fentanyl, and fatal overdoses in Oregon

Zoorob et al. reveal fentanyl as a large driver of the US overdose epidemic, whilst dispelling misconceptions about the effect of Oregon's drug decriminalisation policies on rises in mortality and overdose rates.

Publications11 September 2024

“What I should be doing is harm reduction, if I’m doing my job right”: Engagement with harm reduction principles among prosecutors enacting drug policy reform in the United States

Rouhani et al. explore how US prosecutors use harm reduction principles to shape criminal justice outcomes for people who use drugs, revealing the potential for pro-drug policy reform.

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