Скачать или смотреть 5th EHRC | IDPC | Drug policy: decriminalisation – the next logical step for Europe?

Major Session at the 5th European Harm Reduction Conference

Speakers:

Marie Nougier (IDPC) 2:22

Rui Miguel Coimbra Morais (CASO Drug Users Union) 22:22

Zaved Mahmood (OHCHR) 32:13

Tore Sørensen (Norwegian Ministry of Care and Health Services) 55:11

Abstract:

Room: Congress hall

Organiser: International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC)
Chair: Eliza Kurcevič (EHRA)

The criminalisation of people who use drugs (PWUD) compounds drug-related harms and worsens health and welfare outcomes worldwide. However, a growing number of jurisdictions have decriminalised the possession of some or all drugs for personal use, including many pioneering examples from Europe.

When done in line with the evidence and partnership with people with use drugs, decriminalisation has the potential to improve public health and human rights dramatically. However, when sub-optimal models are created or models prejudice some drugs over others, this potential can be missed, and new problems can emerge.

Decriminalisation policies have always been permitted within international drug conventions. There has also been increased acknowledgement and promotion of this approach in recent years – most recently from a common position for the entire UN system.

In this session, the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) invites you to explore the arguments for decriminalisation and some of the complex and challenging questions which remain. Europe can become a global champion for effective, ‘gold standard’ decriminalisation approaches – just as it was for harm reduction adoption decades ago.