Compulsory centres for drug users

News8 February 2023

Sri Lankan parliament passes draconian “rehabilitation” law

The bill, which allows people who use drugs to be detained in military-run centres, was passed with 23 votes in favour, of the 225-seat parliament.

Publications8 February 2023

Submission to the UN CESCR on Cambodia - Amnesty International

Amnesty International shines a light on human rights violations committed in the name of drug policy, including in relation to police violence, arbitrary detention and obstacles to harm reduction.

News17 January 2023

Sri Lankan MPs: Reject the Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill

The bill would translate into increasing human rights abuses in the name of drug control, including through the involvement of the military in treatment and the expansion of compulsory detention.

News18 October 2022

Sri Lanka: Draft ‘rehabilitation’ law would spur abuse

The bill would give authorities sweeping powers to arbitrarily detain and torture people who use drugs and almost anyone else.

News10 October 2022

South Africa: Criminalising children for cannabis use unconstitutional – ConCourt

The case and ruling were triggered after four children were set to undergo a compulsory residential diversion programme following a school-sanctioned drug test.

Publications6 October 2022

Increased risk of death immediately after discharge from compulsory care for substance abuse

Ledberg and Reitan document a very high risk of death immediately after discharge from compulsory care.

Publications6 July 2022

Compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation, health, and human rights

This collection of papers on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the 'UN Joint Statement on Compulsory Drug Detention and Rehabilitation Centres' offers pathways for concerted action to achieve health and human rights for all people whose lives involve drugs.

News7 June 2022

Singapore: “We were like strays” - A life marked by drugs, incarceration, and the death penalty

Punitive interventions, including under the guise of health, are posited as deterrents but actually intensify exclusion and worsen life outcomes.

Publications12 May 2022

Increased risk of death immediately after discharge from compulsory care in relation to drug use

Ledberg and Reitan find that the risk of dying immediately after discharge from compulsory care is very high, particularly for younger clients.

Events

Launch of UNODC & UNAIDS joint publication on compulsory drug treatment

Online

9 January 2022

Consisting of three booklets, the report documents progress and case examples of the transition from compulsory facilities for people who use drugs to voluntary community-based treatment, harm reduction and support services in the region.

Publications12 January 2022

Compulsory treatment and rehabilitation in East and Southeast Asia

UNAIDS and UNODC document progress and case examples pertaining to the transition from compulsory facilities for people who use drugs towards voluntary community-based treatment and complementary health, harm reduction and social support services in Asia-Pacific.

Publications4 October 2021

‘Treatment in liberty’ - Human rights and compulsory detention for drug use

Lines et al. argue that the involuntary detention of people for the purposes of 'drug treatment' represents a violation of international law.

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