IDPC Alert - August 2008

The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) is a global network of NGOs and professional networks that specialise in issues related to illegal drug production and use. The Consortium aims to promote objective and open debate on the effectiveness, direction and content of drug policies at national and international level, and supports evidence-based policies that are effective in reducing drug-related harm. It disseminates the reports of its member organisations about particular drug-related matters, and offers expert consultancy services to policymakers and officials around the world.

JOB OPPORTUNITY - IDPC COORDINATOR REQUIRED

GLOBAL DRUG POLICY ANALYSIS AND ADVOCACY

The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) (www.idpc.info) is a global network of NGOs and professional networks that specialise in issues related to illegal drug use. It aims to promote objective and open debate on the effectiveness, direction and content of drug policies at national and international level, and supports evidence-based policies that are effective in reducing drug-related harm. In the two years of its existence, the IDPC has established itself as a credible and respected source of policy analysis and advice for many policy makers in national governments and international agencies. We are now looking to build on this foundation to broaden our analytical and advocacy activities. Release (http://www.release.org.uk/) manages the work of the IDPC and is looking to appoint a committed and highly professional individual to coordinate its activities. The successful candidate will combine a sound administrative and organisational sense, with good advocacy skills, and an ability to operate at a high level of international affairs. This position is London based, however, exceptional candidates based elsewhere will be considered. The salary range is £30-40k.

If you are interested in applying for this post, please email Geni Horwood at geni@release.org.uk for:

1. Information letter

2. Person Specification

3. Job Description

4. IDPC work plan and membership list

Completed applications should be submitted by 5^th September 2008. Interviews will be held in London on 25^th and 26^th September.

"UNGASS NEWS"

UNGASS NEWS - AUGUST 2008.

http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/IDPC_UngassNews_August08_EN.pdf

IDPC has produced an advocacy guide http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/IDPC_AdvocacyGuide_June08_EN.pdf to describe the UNGASS 10-year review and the key issues within it. As a way of keeping our network informed, we are producing regular "UNGASS News" updates as the process unfolds. This second edition reports on the outcome of the first three intergovernmental working groups, and the "Beyond 2008" Global NGO Forum.

INDONESIAN JANGKAR REPORT

This is the report of Jangkar (the National Action Network for Drug Harm Reduction in Indonesia) and the Open Society Institute. The report is one of the first attempts to assess and depict violation of drug users� human rights in Indonesia. Since the document is the pdf version of a printed bilingual publication in Indonesian and English, the English version should be read from back to front.

http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/Jangkar_2008_IDUandHumanRightsinIndonesia_IND_EN.pdf

TRANS NATIONAL INSTITUTE PUBLICATIONS

10 YEARS OF TNI DRUGS AND DEMOCRACY PROGRAMME 1998 - 2008

TNI has been involved in international drugs policy work since the 1998 UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs (UNGASS). This report summarises the lessons of 10 years of work in this field, emphasising drug controls that respect human rights: the rights of farmers caught in the illicit economy to a life in dignity; decriminalisation of drug use; and the promotion of harm reduction approaches where they are proven to save lives.

English: http://www.tni.org/reports/drugs/10years.pdf

Spanish: http://www.tni.org/reports/drugs/10anos.pdf

REWRITING HISTORY: A RESPONSE TO THE 2008 WORLD DRUG REPORT

In the new 2008 World Drug Report the UNODC is trying to hide failures behind a bad history lesson. Instead of a clear acknowledgement that the 10-year UNGASS targets have not been met, the WDR decided to go back 100 years into history claiming success in comparison with Chinese opium production and use in the early 20th century.

English: http://www.ungassondrugs.org/images/stories/brief26.pdf

Spanish: http://www.ungassondrugs.org/images/stories/brief26s.pdf

PRIORITIES OF THE FRENCH PRESIDENCY ON DRUGS AND DRUG ADDICTION

The priorities of the French Presidency of the EU have been published and the fight against drugs and drug addiction has been expressly included as a constant objective essential to the protection of citizens. The French presidency will facilitate the negotiation of the new EU action plan against drugs for 2009 - 2012 and prepare EU positions and strategy for the CND. There are hopes to coordinate national positions so that Europe can speak with one voice on the international stage and co-operate more effectively with the third world. The profound objective is to be more effective, that is to obtain a real and measurable impact on the drugs situation in member states and to communicate strategies better so that citizens know and understand them. A busy calendar of events has been prepared by the French Presidency to this end.

http://www.drogues.gouv.fr/IMG/doc/PFUE_les_priorites_drogues.doc

http://www.drogues.gouv.fr/IMG/doc/PFUECalendrier.doc

An unofficial translation of the above documents has been prepared by IDPC:

http://www.idpc.info/php-bin/documents/PFUE_July08_EN.pdf

BEYOND 2008

In partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and led by the Vienna Non Governmental Organisations Committee on Narcotic Drugs 300 NGO delegates, from all regions of the world, met to debate and construct a consensus on policy recommendations and on mechanisms for NGOs and the government to work together. This consensus, in the form of a Declaration and Resolutions, will be tabled at the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the UNODC as they prepare for the 1998 - 2008 UNGASS review. The Declaration and Resolutions can be found through this link:

http://www.vngoc.org/images/uploads/file/BEYOND%202008%20DECLARATION%20AND%20RESOLUTIONS%20FINAL(1).pdf

RELEASE CONFERENCE

"Drugs, Race and Discrimination" is the theme of the upcoming 2008 Release Conference to be held in London on 18^th September 2008. This unique event will focus on discrimination faced by drug users around the world. By highlighting the issues confronting people from an already marginalised background whose drug use leaves them open to further prejudice, this conference will tackle some of the most complex and interesting issues in drug policy today. International speakers presenting original material will include: Deborah Small (Break the Chains); Damon Barret (IHRA); Chris Huhne MP and King Downing (ACLU). Tickets are available on a first come first service basis by following the booking link on the conference programme available here:

http://releaseorgu.eweb101.discountasp.net/latest_conference.html

PETITION TO FREE IRANIAN HARM REDUCTION DOCTORS

Paola Barahona, MPH, a Global Health Policy Associate with Physicians for Human Rights, Washington, is reaching out to friends, family, and colleagues and asking them to consider signing the attached petition to the Government of Iran on behalf of Drs. Kamiar Alaei and Arash Alaei, physician brothers who have been working on HIV and drug use in Iran for many years. They have been detained without any charges by Iranian security forces since late June. There is concern that their detainment may be related to their harm reduction work and leadership. The petition calls on the government of Iran to either charge or immediately release them. Please consider signing the petition online at http://actnow-phr.org/campaign/iran_free_the_docs and let Paula know if you would like her to keep you informed of progress in the case by emailing: pbarahona@phrusa.org

Please feel free to pass this alert on to any contacts who may be interested in drug policy issues. If you have received this alert in error, or do not wish to continue receiving our alerts, you can unsubscribe yourself by emailing to gh@internationaldrugpolicy.net

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