Episódios

  • Drug use is now re-criminalised in Oregon - what are the lessons learnt for drug reformers? We interviewed Theshia Naido, Legal Director at the Drug Policy Alliance. 00:00 Intro 00:10 Will Oregon Re-criminalise drug possession? 00:50 How does it make you feel, why did it happen? 3:33 What is the real reason for increased overdoses? 4:33 Was re-criminlasition based on genuine conncerns of citizens, or was it politically motivated? 5:59 Were resources mobilised for care and treatment during decriminalisation? 7:30 Does law enforcement help people get to treatment? 9:01 How was the quality of accessible services? 10:03 Is harm reduction available in Oregon? 10:35 Are there any overdose prevention sites in Orgeon? 12:28 How did the public citation system go instead of arresting people? 14:00 What will happen now in Oregon? 15:53 What would you say to those who say decriminalisation in Oregon failed? In 2020, voters in the state of Oregon approved Measure 110, effectively decriminalising the use of illicit drugs and expanding social and health services by redirecting cannabis tax revenue and law enforcement savings. The Measure did not only significantly reduce criminal spendings but it resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of clients accessing services. However, after a steep increase in overdose deaths and homelessness-related suffering on the streets, although not caused by decriminalisation itself, a campaign was launched by opponents of drug policy reform, which scapegoated Measure 110 for all the problems. Drug use was re-criminalised in 2024 and Oregon became an exemplary tale of the "failure" of decriminalisation in the Conservative press. In this interview, we address common misunderstandings and misinformation about decriminalisation.

  • In this short film, produced at the 67th UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna, we give you an overview of the latest developments of drug policy reform across the globe. Topics: Interesting issues at the CND in 2024. Marie Nougier, IDPC What is decriminalisaton? Niamh Eastwood, Release, UK What is re-criminalisation and what happened in Oregon? Theshia Naidoo, DPA, USA Is decriminalisation enough? Arild Knutsen, FHN, Norway What are the developments regarding legal regulation of drugs around the world? Marie Nougier, IDPC The state of cannabis legalisation in Europe. Tom Blickman, TNI, Netherlands Cannabis legalisation in Thailand. Kitty Chokwan Chopaka, Thailand. Legalising other drugs than cannabis. Marie Nougier, IDPC Stimulant substitution treatment in Norway. Arild Knutsen, FHN, Norway The state of coca leaf regulation. Marie Nougier, IDPC and Cesar Aguilar Alcedo, Bolivia. Banning legal highs and world drug trends. Daan van der Gouwe, Trimbos-instituut, Netherlands. Nitazine, a new synthetic opioid in Europe. Shayla Schlossenberg, Release, UK. Access to opioid medications around the world. Katherine Irene Pettus, PhD, International Association for Hospice & Palliative Care The role of young people at the Commisson on NArcotic Drugs. Charity Monareng, SSDP. The importance of civil society in international affairs.

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  • Navigating Tensions and Contradictions: addressing human rights challenges related to the lack of, and the unequal access to, treatment and harm reduction JUDY CHANG | INPUD RAPHAEL NAEGELI | H.E. Ambassador, Switzerland MONICA CIUPAGEA | UNODC ANGELA MCBRIDE | SANPUD JINDRICH VOBORIL | National Drug Policy Coordinator, Czech Republic PALANI NARAYANAN | Malaysian AIDS Foundation PROF. ALAN MILLER | National Mission on Drugs, Scotland BOYAN KONSTANTINOV | UNDP CHRISTINA MCKELVIE | MSP Appointed Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy Organized by the International Network of People who Use Drugs with the support of Czechia, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Norway, Paraguay, Portugal, Switzerland, Uruguay, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the World Health Organization, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, the United Nations Development Programme, the African Network of People who Use Drugs, AIDSFONDS, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, the European Network of People who Use Drugs, Harm Reduction International, the International Drug Policy Consortium, the Latin American Network of People who Use Drugs the Middle East and North African Network of People who Use Drugs, the Network of Asian People who Use Drugs, the Open Society Foundations, the South African Network of People who Use Drugs, the Women and Harm Reduction International Network and Youth RISE

  • The full title of the event: Exploring legal regulation as a tool to promote human rights and secure health and security in Europe. Discussions around the legal regulation of drugs have recently emerged with more force than ever across Europe. With the risk of new synthetic drugs entering the European markets and the growing influence and violence of organised crime, the need to explore new policy options that can address these risks is evident and urgent. This side event will aim to discuss new drug policies that address the emerging drug policy challenges in Europe, and the importance of facilitating a broader public conversation on these matters. Moderator: MARIE NOUGIER | Head of Research and Communications International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) ANN FORDHAM | Director International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) PIETER WALINGA | Program manager, City of Amsterdam  JINDŘICH VOBOŘIL | National Drug Policy Coordinator, Czech Republic 28:54 JOHAN WICKLEN | Journalist, Author, Sweden ARILD KNUTSEN | Director, Norwegian Association for Humane Drug Policy (FHN) ZAVED MAHMOOT | Human Rights Officer, UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Organised at the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs in 2024 by John Melhus of the Norwegian Association for Humane Drug Policy (FHN). co-organisers: OHCHR, International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD), Amnesty International and The Czech Republic. Organised at the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs in 2024 by John Melhus of the Norwegian Association for Humane Drug Policy (FHN). co-organisers: OHCHR, International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), International Network of People who Use Drugs (INPUD), Amnesty International and The Czech Republic.

  • Cops call out for psychedelic drugs to be used in therapy of post traumatic stress disorder, that policeman suffer as a result of fighting the futile war on drugs. Organised by the Law Enforcement Action Partnership at the 2024 UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs.

  • Drugreporter interviewed Jason Eligh, senior analyst of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Oranized Crime, to learn about the health and social impact of cannabis legalization in Canada. More info: https://drogriporter.hu/en/video-series/drugreporter-cafe/

  • In February 2023 SPRG held a 3 day Celebration of Scotland's Indigenous Apothecary encompassing cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms, as well as other healing plants indigenous to the Scottish land. The events were organised to coincide with the international movement #thankyouplantmedicine. They collaborated with the Scottish Cannabis Consortium, the University of Edinburgh, and many other organisations and people involved in both plant medicine and drug policy reform in Scotland in order to explore the healing potential of these plants. The final day involved two events: a panel event in which we heard from a range of expert speakers ranging from academic, research and importantly several lived experience voices, and a Scottish Parliament event, sponsored by Pauline McNeil MSP, with the same speakers and focus, but with MSP’s in attendance. In keeping with the power of this medicine to inspire and create community, this day was packed full of energy and inspiring, at times painful, stories of healing and gratitude for the plants, and the potential they have to heal, connect and transform individuals and communities. One of the most powerful moments was when a mother, Karen Llewellyn, spoke of the harm that had been done to her sons and her family by the drug policy and medical frameworks. In a tragic turn of events Karen's son Jake passed away 2 months later. Inquiries are ongoing. Similarly, John Anderson, a neuroscientist, counsellor and board member of SPRG presented the story of his own healing which sent shivers around the room. The power of being heard and having the opportunity to speak our truth in these environments cannot be understated. Drugreporter produced a new documentary on the struggle to liberate psychedelic medicine in Scotland. In the film, people with lived experience provide testimony on the healing powers of psychedelic drugs. We decided to publish the uncut interviews as well, for a more in-depth analysis of the situation of psychedelics in Scotland. To watch the film, Psychedelics in Scotland, click here: https://youtu.be/7JMpPTvTXo0

  • In February 2023 SPRG held a 3 day Celebration of Scotland's Indigenous Apothecary encompassing cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms, as well as other healing plants indigenous to the Scottish land. The events were organised to coincide with the international movement #thankyouplantmedicine. They collaborated with the Scottish Cannabis Consortium, the University of Edinburgh, and many other organisations and people involved in both plant medicine and drug policy reform in Scotland in order to explore the healing potential of these plants. On the second day SPRG held a cannabis symposium. The half day event brought stakeholders together to connect, share knowledge, have respectful dialogue and importantly envision the future of cannabis in Scotland, both within the UK, and as a potential independent country with the power to write our own drug laws. The day was structured along the lines of a conversation café on cannabis with speed dating. It was an incredibly powerful event, with networks and collaborations being made between multiple stakeholders in the cannabis community. Importantly it was an opportunity for everyone to tell their own cannabis story, with all stakeholders, regardless of their interest in the industry, feeling safe and able to share why they are passionate about bringing cannabis medicine back to Scotland. Drugreporter produced a new documentary on the struggle to liberate psychedelic medicine in Scotland. In the film, people with lived experience provide testimony on the healing powers of psychedelic drugs. We decided to publish the uncut interviews as well, for a more in-depth analysis of the situation of psychedelics in Scotland. To watch the film, Psychedelics in Scotland, click here: https://youtu.be/7JMpPTvTXo0

  • In February 2023 the Scottish Cannabis Consortium held a 3 day Celebration of Scotland's Indigenous Apothecary encompassing cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms, as well as other healing plants indigenous to the Scottish land. The events were organised to coincide with the international movement #thankyouplantmedicine. They collaborated with the Scottish Cannabis Consortium, the University of Edinburgh, and many other organisations and people involved in both plant medicine and drug policy reform in Scotland in order to explore the healing potential of these plants. The final day involved two events: a panel event in which we heard from a range of expert speakers ranging from academic, research and importantly several lived experience voices, and a Scottish Parliament event, sponsored by Pauline McNeil MSP, with the same speakers and focus, but with MSP’s in attendance. In keeping with the power of this medicine to inspire and create community, this day was packed full of energy and inspiring, at times painful, stories of healing and gratitude for the plants, and the potential they have to heal, connect and transform individuals and communities. One of the most powerful moments was when a mother, Karen Llewellyn, spoke of the harm that had been done to her sons and her family by the drug policy and medical frameworks. In a tragic turn of events Karen's son Jake passed away 2 months later. Inquiries are ongoing. Similarly, John Anderson, a neuroscientist, counsellor and board member of SPRG presented the story of his own healing which sent shivers around the room. The power of being heard and having the opportunity to speak our truth in these environments cannot be understated. Drugreporter produced a new documentary on the struggle to liberate psychedelic medicine in Scotland. In the film, people with lived experience provide testimony on the healing powers of psychedelic drugs. We decided to publish the uncut interviews as well, for a more in-depth analysis of the situation of psychedelics in Scotland. To watch the film, Psychedelics in Scotland, click here: https://youtu.be/7JMpPTvTXo0

  • Professor Jo Neal is Professor of Psychopharmacology at the University of Manchester. She is Chair of the Medical Psychedelics Working Group at Drug Science, a Trustee for Heroic Hearts UK, scientific advisor for the Conservative Drug Policy Reform Group, Beckley Psytech, Albert Labs, and Octarine Bio. Jo is an advisory board member of the International Therapeutic Psilocybin Rescheduling Initiative. She is co-founder of b-neuro, a University based Contract Research Organisation developing new treatments for mental illness through animal models and past President of the British Association for Psychopharmacology (President 2016-2018). She served on the Research Excellence Framework panel for Unit of Assessment 3 (Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy) in 2014. Jo is working with Policy at Manchester and Drug Science to educate the public about the urgent need for drug law reform and suspension of Schedule 1 restrictions to enable research into the medicinal properties of currently illegal drugs. Drugreporter produced a new documentary on the struggle to liberate psychedelic medicine in Scotland. In the film, people with lived experience provide testimony on the healing powers of psychedelic drugs. We decided to publish the uncut interviews as well, for a more in-depth analysis of the situation of psychedelics in Scotland. To watch the film, Psychedelics in Scotland, click here: https://youtu.be/7JMpPTvTXo0

  • The Scottish Psychedelic Research Group (SPRG) was set up in 2021 in collaboration with Dr. Jake Hawthorn, Dr. Anna Ross of the University of Edinburgh, Fiona Gilbertson of Recovering Justice, and Dr Christoph Zwolen, and was supported through the Open Society Foundations Global Drug Policy Programme. Dr. Anna Ross and Fiona Gilbertson have been collaborating for many years on challenging the narratives surrounding drug policy, by creating channels of engagement with under-represented voices. A particular focus has been the devastation created by state agencies enacting the existing drug laws. The trauma created in the lives of people who use drugs , women and families is often borne in shame and silence . This led to passion in psychedelic assisted medicine as a therapeutic tool, and the use of cannabis, both as a medicine and a social drug. An integral aim of SPRG is to provide a link between the multiple communities currently engaged or interested in plant medicine in Scotland, with a specific focus on linking policy and practice to the wider indigenous use of plant medicine in Scotland, and to ensure that these voices are a core part of any policy being developed in Scotland. Drugreporter produced a new documentary on the struggle to liberate psychedelic medicine in Scotland. In the film, people with lived experience provide testimony on the healing powers of psychedelic drugs. We decided to publish the uncut interviews as well, for a more in-depth analysis of the situation of psychedelics in Scotland. To watch the film, Psychedelics in Scotland, click here: https://youtu.be/7JMpPTvTXo0

  • Drugreporter produced a new documentary on the struggle to liberate psychedelic medicine in Scotland. In the film, people with lived experience provide testimony on the healing powers of psychedelic drugs. The Scottish Psychedelic Research Group (SPRG) was set up in 2021 in collaboration with Dr. Jake Hawthorn, Dr. Anna Ross of the University of Edinburgh, Fiona Gilbertson of Recovering Justice, and Dr Christoph Zwolen, and was supported through the Open Society Foundations Global Drug Policy Programme. Dr. Anna Ross and Fiona Gilbertson have been collaborating for many years on challenging the narratives surrounding drug policy, by creating channels of engagement with under-represented voices. A particular focus has been the devastation created by state agencies enacting the existing drug laws. The trauma created in the lives of people who use drugs , women and families is often borne in shame and silence . This led to passion in psychedelic assisted medicine as a therapeutic tool, and the use of cannabis, both as a medicine and a social drug.

  • Mexico stepped on the road to cannabis legalisation but it seems the process is long and full of traps and barriers. We interviewed Zara Snapp, an activist and co-founder of Institutio RIA, a leading drug policy reform organisation in Mexico.

  • Drugreporter interviewed Nanna W. Gotfredsen, a street lawyer, activist, and member of the Danish Parliament about the chances of drug policy reform in Denmark at the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in March. We met and interviewed Nanna at the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna in March 2023, a day after she made a very powerful speech at a side event on Scandinavian drug policies. We talked about how and why she decided to be an MP, why she does not identify as a politician, and how she can use her position to move drug policy reform forwards in Denmark.

  • Michal Matczak (or as he is known among his fans: Mata) is a Polish rapper and activist who launched a campaign for decriminalisation in his country. We interviewed him in Vienna at the 66th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, where he came to share his story and promote decriminalisation. More information: https://www.instagram.com/fundacja420/ https://fundacja420.pl/ https://drugreporter.net/mata

  • Scotland retains the unwanted title of "Europe's drug death capital". How does the Scottish government tackle the problem? We interviewed Angela Constance, the former Minister for Drug Policy of Scotland, at the 63rd session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna in March.
    Scotland was shocked to learned that the number of overdose deaths reached a record high number in 2019. Three and a half times more people (1264) died of overdose in Scotland than in England and Wales. When the media published the official figures, the Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, admitted that the government had not done enough to tackle the problem.

    A Drug Death Taskforce, a 15-members expert body was created to identify evidence-based strategies to prevent overdoses. And the First Minister appointed Angela Constance to Minister for Drug Policy - a new ministerial position with responsibility for coordinating the response to the overdose crisis. Ms. Constance introduced several significant interventions, including measures to scale up access to evidence-based treatment and harm reduction services. In our interview, we asked how she views the situation now, after 4 years in office. When will the first supervised drug consumption sites open? What does she think about the latest preliminary figures that show a slight decrease in the number of overdose deaths?

  • Jamie Bridge is a Bedford-based harm reduction professional and the Chief Operating Officer at the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC). We interviewed him on the occasion of the end of his term as the chair of the Vienna NGO Committee - an organisation that links NGOs and the Vienna-based agencies involved in setting drug policy.

    More information: https://drogriporter.hu/en/jamie-bridge-cnd2023/

  • On 15th March 2023, EHRA together with support of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Alliance for Public Health, Ukrainian network of people who use drugs (VOLNA) and Precursor Foundation for Social Policy organized side event during the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). Event was happening both, online and in Vienna and was attended by EU member states representatives, other states representatives, civil society, as well as UN agencies.

    The presentations:

    0:00 Ganna Dovbakh, Eurasian Harm Reduction Association
    1:59 Anna Shemet, Ministry of Health, Ukraine
    25:27 Anton Basenko, European AIDS Treatment Group
    34:00 Sergii Filippovych, #Sos 2.0, Alliance for Public Health
    43:57 Magdalena Bartnik, Prekursor Foundation

    Since 24 February 2022, more than 16,5 million people have left Ukraine because of the Russia war in Ukraine. Humanitarian crisis in Ukraine has brought tremendous suffering and health consequences for the Ukrainian people in general, especially for vulnerable groups, such as people who use drugs. According to the UNAIDS’ latest estimates, there are 258,000 people living with HIV in Ukraine, 366,000 people who use drugs (of which only 20,000 have access to opioid agonist treatment), 80,000 sex workers, and 179,000 people, who belong to the LGBTQ community.
    Since the beginning of the war, governmental and non-governmental organizations inside Ukraine, working in the harm reduction field, as well as harm reduction organizations working in the neighboring countries immediately initiated and coordinated a rapid humanitarian response, providing urgent support to meet the health and social needs of people who use drugs inside the country, as well those, who fled it.

    The side event focused on the drug-related emergency health responses, challenges related to it and inspiring examples of how to address needs of people who use drugs and other key populations in face of the humanitarian crisis. There were shown examples showcasing how in life-threatening situations health and social service providers have organised evacuations, heating, generators, shelters for overnight stays, food, basic health care, response on gender-based violence during war to people who use drugs and their families. Humanitarian crisis in Ukraine led to the development of the emergency harm reduction package, as well as а coordinated effort of regional civil society organizations to respond to the threats of authoritarianism and pressure on activists.
    More information and the powerpoint presentations are available here:
    https://harmreductioneurasia.org/news/66th-CND-side-event
    https://drogriporter.hu/en/

  • ligning Drug Policy with Environmental Protection As the UN is seeking greater drug policy coherence, including via the implementation of the UN System Common Position, it is urgent that drug policy becomes better aligned with other crucial UN priorities, including protecting the environment, conserving nature, tackling climate change and upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples. To date, only limited steps have been taken to illuminate the intersections between drug policy and the environment, and even less to bring global regimes into alignment. The UN drug control system is often found to operate at odds with UN regime complexes in other issue areas. This side event explored how punitive drug policies have empowered organised crime and accelerated environmental degradation, and proposed concrete recommendations to ensure that UN and national drug policies can support – instead of undermine – efforts made by the international community to protect the environment.

    Speakers:

    0:00 Clemmie James, Health Poverty Action
    1:42 Jhon Alexander Rojas Cabrera, Governor of Nariño, Colombia
    8:13 Kendra McSweeney, Ohio State University
    15:56 Dave Bewley-Taylor, Global Drug Policy Observatory
    23:43 Pedro Arenas, Corporación Viso Mutop
    31:23 Sylvia Kay, Transnational Institute
    39:33 Marta Machado, National Secretary for Drug Policy, Brazil
    44:57 Video Nariño
    46:26 Q & A

    Organised by the Transnational Institute, the governments of Brazil and Colombia, the Global Drug Policy Observatory, Health Poverty Action, the International Drug Policy Consortium, Open Society Foundations, Viso Mutop and the Washington Office on Latin America

  • Side event at the 66th CND, 2023. Organised by the International Drug Policy Consortium with the support of Colombia, Czechia, Ghana, Norway, Portugal, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Amnesty International, Dejusticia, the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association, Harm Reduction International, the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, the International Network of People who Use Drugs, and the Transnational Institute. 0:00 Ann Fordham, International Drug Policy Consortium 3:34 Susan Eckey, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Norway 6:00 Laura Gil Savastano, Deputy Minister for Multilateral Affairs, Colombia 12:24 Seree Nonthasoot, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 19:26 Kassandra Frederique, Drug Policy Alliance 26:30 Sandra Bermúdez, Corporación Viso Mutop 32:55 Aditia Taslim, International Network of People who Use Drugs 38:23 Q & A