Count the Costs

Calling on governments to count the costs of half a century's 'war on drugs' – and explore the alternatives.

[Steve Rolles @SteveTransform]

@GOVUK has published its 'National Combating Drugs Outcomes Framework - Supporting metrics & technical guidance' 👇

Its an updated supplemental doc to support the Dec 2021 drug strategy.

here the summary table - lets have a look......

THREAD🧵
1/
https://t.co/XunBOHYNA8

[Transform Drug Policy Foundation @TransformDrugs]

🚨NEW BLOG🚨

How do we ensure fair trade & sustainable development in emerging international cannabis markets?

"In the absence of proactive measures, market forces with no inherent sympathy for sustainable development or social equity will prevail"

https://t.co/RMSJViztXQ

[Transform Drug Policy Foundation @TransformDrugs]

🚨THREAD🚨

A RISING TIDE OF AVOIDABLE DRUG-RELATED DEATHS

The starkest indicator of the UK's failing drug policy is drug-related deaths, which have risen dramatically over the lifetime of the Misuse of Drugs Act, particularly in the 90s & again since 2011

#50YearsOfFailure
1/

[Transform Drug Policy Foundation @TransformDrugs]

🚨THREAD🚨

MILLIONS CRIMINALISED & IMPRISONED UNDER THE MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT

Punitive enforcement has long dominated policy responses to a primarily public health challenge.

For 50yrs millions have had their life opportunities impacted by criminalisation & imprisonment.
1/

[Transform Drug Policy Foundation @TransformDrugs]

Marginalised communities suffer disproportionately in wars

You can now donate directly to @EHRA2017 to support people who use drugs and harm reduction service providers in Ukraine

Слава Україні! #StandWithUkraine
https://t.co/QfD71LXk06

[Transform Drug Policy Foundation @TransformDrugs]

📣 We are hiring 📣
Three positions available:
Digital Communications Manager: https://t.co/YHZrY0vPs7

Anyone's Child Project Coordinator: https://t.co/yUOqkUQ1GU

Blaksox & Transform Project Coordinator: https://t.co/EyAJRgOCZ2

[SEEDS @seeds_4change]

Day 39: Clemmie from @HealthPoverty discusses the importance of a development perspective on ending the war on drugs! Be sure to check out World with drugs webinar series! @TransformDrugs @IDPCnet @UKLEAP @DrugLawReform @SDPcampaign #50yearsoffailure https://t.co/kSKtqjpdjB

[Transform Drug Policy Foundation @TransformDrugs]

@ICC "Following a thorough preliminary examination process, the available information indicates that members of the Philippine National Police, & others acting in concert with them, have unlawfully killed between several thousand and tens of thousands of civilians during that time."

[Transform Drug Policy Foundation @TransformDrugs]

Statement of the @ICC Prosecutor, requesting a full investigation:

'There is a reasonable basis to believe that the crime against humanity of murder has been committed [in] the Philippines... in the context of the Government[s] "war on drugs" campaign."

https://t.co/oa0rRPvsgq

[Steve Rolles @SteveTransform]

Why Should People Who Use Drugs Engage in the 2021 UN High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS (HLM)?

A short @INPUD video, in cooperation with @RRFdrugreporter

https://t.co/4x6H9xENe5

[Transform Drug Policy Foundation @TransformDrugs]

*NEW BLOG*
Cannabis reform sweeping across Europe

🇨🇭SWITZERLAND: legally regulating mkt
🇱🇺LUXEMBOURG: legally regulating mkt
🇲🇹MALTA: decrim & home grow
🇳🇱NETHERLANDS: legal supply for coffee shops
🇫🇷FRANCE: Parliamentary committee backs legalisation

https://t.co/far3TpOKwd

[Transform Drug Policy Foundation @TransformDrugs]

*NEW BLOG*

"Roughly Right" is Wrong

Why @Keir_Starmer's neutral position on drug policy would be a recipe for more avoidable harm
https://t.co/8Zo94h1JjE

[Transform Drug Policy Foundation @TransformDrugs]

Many risks associated with cocaine, MDMA & amphetamines are a direct consequence of prohibition.

The risks can be significantly reduced by regulating production and sale of stimulant drugs.

Read the book (free PDF), and share your views below: https://t.co/XPk1uTarEr

[Transform Drug Policy Foundation @TransformDrugs]

Transform's new book, fresh off the printing press!

'How to regulate stimulants:
A practical guide'

Available to buy in print, or free e-book download: 20th October

Launch event: 22nd October
Sign up here: https://t.co/xZAYqAResY

[Steve Rolles @SteveTransform]

I'm looking forward to chairing the 3rd in the @HealthPoverty 'A World with Drugs' webinar series, looking at legal regulation through a development lens

We'll explore the risks of corporate capture (& how to mitigate them) for drug producers in a post prohibition world
1/2

[Transform Drug Policy Foundation @TransformDrugs]

Another important moment at the UN today: the release of International Guidelines on Human Rights and Drug Policy - from @HRDP2 @UNDP @UNAIDS & @WHO

For too long human rights have been marginalised in drug policy. Today helps change that.

Pls read & share this awesome thread

[Steve Rolles @SteveTransform]

1. This is a HUGE DEAL

All 31 UN agencies - including the @WHO @UNHumanRights @UNDP and - at long last - @UNODC - have adopted a common position directing member states to end criminalisation of people who use drugs

[Transform Drug Policy Foundation @TransformDrugs]

1. On #InternationalWomensDay a short reading list on women & drug policy: What is the problem and what can we do about it?

Women bear a disproportionate burden of harm, stigma & discrimination flowing from repressive drug policies - see:
https://t.co/lPRWztAELQ

#IWD2019

[Release Drugs - @releasedrugs.bsky.social @Release_drugs]

Current approaches to drug control in Asia overwhelmingly criminalise people already on the margins of society, those who use or are dependent on drugs, with dire consequences for them, their families and communities. https://t.co/VlqJoSh3Np

[Transform Drug Policy Foundation @TransformDrugs]

'Punishing Poverty - How the ‘war on drugs’ harms vulnerable communities in Brazil and India'

https://t.co/fdpVP16ETa

New research from @HealthPoverty and a clear call to end prohibition by legalising and regulating drug markets.