North America

Publications22 May 2023

An equity action plan for marijuana: The Biden administration’s opportunity to advance equity through cannabis reform

Cat Packer highlights how the Biden administration could use existing norms on equity as a framework to understand and address how cannabis laws and policies create barriers for underserved communities.

News22 May 2023

Clearing the plains 2.0: Alberta drug policy is Indigenous genocide

The risks and harms associated with prohibition are compounded by ongoing practices of violence and neglect against Indigenous peoples.

Events

Stimulus Conference 2023

Ottawa, Canada

5 October 2023 - 7 October 2023

Stimulus is the largest national harm reduction and drug policy gathering in Canada where people who use drugs and people from communities impacted by the War on Drugs are encouraged to lead and participate.

Publications12 May 2023

National survey findings on law enforcement agency drug response practices, overdose victim outcomes, and Good Samaritan laws

Richardson et al. show highly inconsistent application of arrest protection provisions in cases of overdose, including due to poor understanding of the legal framework by people who use drugs and police.

Publications12 May 2023

Prescribed safer supply programs: emerging evidence

The National Safer Supply Community of Practice suggests these programmes reduce deaths and overdose, promote retention in care, and improve a range of physical and mental health outcomes.

Publications9 May 2023

Policy brief on HIV, Hepatitis C, and STBBIs among Indigenous people

The HIV Legal Network argue for a human rights approach, focusing on evidence-based and culturally sensitive interventions that embrace Indigenous ways of knowing and doing.

Publications9 May 2023

Decriminalization of drug possession in Oregon: Analysis and early lessons

Russoniello et al. examine the provisions, early impacts, successes, and challenges of Measure 110, a ballot initiative in Oregon that decriminalized possession of small quantities of all drugs and allocated vital funding to health services for people who use drugs.

Publications9 May 2023

A roadmap for psychedelic pharmacy in Canada: A proposed policy and operations approach for controlled access to select psychedelics for treatment of mental illness

Brandt provides insight on how the pharmacy profession can play a role in legal reform, regulatory policy creation, and pharmacy operations to broaden access to psychedelics while mitigating harm, using Canada as a case study.

Publications29 March 2023

Persistent criminalization and structural racism in US drug policy: The case of overdose 'Good Samaritan Laws'

Pamplin et al. argue that the persistence of a broader, structurally racist environment of criminalisation undermines the public health–oriented policy changes made in some US states through 'Good Samaritan Laws'.

Events

International Drug Policy Reform Conference 2023

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

18 October 2023 - 21 October 2023

Attendees will spend three days building community with people committed to finding alternatives to the war on drugs while participating in sessions given by leading experts from around the world.

Publications14 February 2023

Support, don’t punish: Drug decriminalization is harm reduction

Bratberg et al. highlight that decriminalisation offers advantages for pharmacists and their patients by breaking the cycle of despair caused by the justice system and encourages pharmacists to advocate for the implementation, evaluation, and expansion of decriminalisation policies.

News8 February 2023

US: New Yorker jailed during ‘war on drugs’ becomes cannabis pioneer

The newly-regulated market prioritises licenses for people and communities affected by the war on drugs, including by providing start-up financial aid.

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