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The Global Commission: breaking the Vienna Consensus
Martin JelsmaTuesday, June 7, 2011
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TNI has been closely involved with the Global Commission on Drug Policy which presented its report in New York on June 2. Some years ago we published a report, entitled Cracks in the Vienna Consensus in which we argued that cracks were appearing in the supposedly universal model under the UN treaty system. In reality, the global system is based on a highly fragile consensus of Vienna, where the UN drug control system is headquartered, and the painstaking negotiations every year to keep up the appearance of unity have become the symbol of paralysis and frustration. -
Voices from the Margin
Drug User Activists in the US
Peter SarosiHungarian Civil Liberty Union (HCLU)
Monday, June 6, 2011
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"Regardless of how you try to explain to people it's a 'war on drugs' or a 'war on a product,' people see a war as a war on them," said Gil Kerlikowske, the US drug czar in his first public statement after his appointment to the White Hose’s drug office. This is especially true for people who use drugs. -
It's Time for Drug Policy Reform in Poland!
After 10 years of zero-tolerance, the Polish Parliament has decided to reform the drug law
Peter SarosiHungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU)
April 21, 2011
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In the year 2000, Poland amended its criminal legislation on drug possession. As a result, any person possessing even the smallest amount of an illegal substance was liable to be prosecuted. Since the amendment in 2000, the number of drug-related offences has been increasing steadily. -
The Russian drug czar vs. methadone: Parcel of lies
The Russian drug czar claims opiate substitution does not work
Peter SarosiHungarian Civil Liberty Union (HCLU)
April 15, 2011
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HCLU's video advocacy team filmed the press conference of the Russian government delegation at the Commission on Narcotic Drugs this year - our movie challenges the Russian drug czar's statement on opiate substitution treatment. -
Poland Inches Closer to Evidence-Based Drug Policy
Kasia Malinowska-SempruchGlobal Drug Policy Program, Open Society Foundations
April 7, 2011
READ MORE...Ten years after introducing one of Europe's most draconian drug laws, the Polish Parliament has voted to amend it, in an effort to draw a greater distinction between drug user and drug dealer. -
A 50 Year Old Convention: What's Wrong With an Update?
Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU)Friday, April 1, 2011
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The HCLU’s video advocacy team attended the 54th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna. They asked both Mr. Yuri Fedotov, the head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and his NGO critics about the 50 years of drug prohibition – watch the short film to find out what they said! -
Drug Courts Are Not the Answer
Margaret Dooley-SammuliDrug Policy Alliance (DPA)
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
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While drug courts have helped many Americans, they are not an appropriate response to drug law violations nor are they the most effective or cost-effective way to provide treatment to people whose only “crime” is their addiction. -
Drug Lords Celebrate the Drug War at the UN!
The Drug Lords International came to Vienna to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs
Peter SarosiTuesday, March 29, 2011
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When the United Nations adopted the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs in 1961, most people did not expect that 50 years later nobody will celebrate the anniversary of global drug prohibition but a group of drug lords. Drug prohibition created a lucrative black market that generates annual revenue of 320 billion dollars for organized crime: who else have a better reason to celebrate? -
The War on Drugs - Count the Costs and Explore the Alternatives
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
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The war on drugs creates massive costs, resulting from the enforcement-led approach that puts organised crime in control of the trade. It is time to count these costs and explore the alternatives, using the best evidence available, to deliver a safer, healthier and more just world. -
Rejuvenation or defection
Some reflections on UNODC Executive Director Fedotov's opening speech
Tom BlickmanMonday, March 21, 2011
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In his opening speech at the 54th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov disagreed with critics that the 50 year old 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs is out of date, but urged the international community to rejuvenate the convention. There is a bewildering inconsistency in Fedotov’s statement: if the convention is not out of date, one wonders why it needs to be rejuvenated.
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