Drug Law Reform

Systems Overload: Drug Laws and Prisons in Latin America

Study reveals alarming pattern in imprisonment for drug crimes in Latin America
Tackle Burma's Drugs Problem

Policy priorities should focus on how best to manage and reduce the many health and social harms associated with the reality of a persistent and ever changing drugs market.
A breakthrough in the making?

There is an undeniable regional trend of moving away from the ‘war on drugs’ in Latin America. This briefing explains the background, summarises the state of ongoing drug law reforms, and makes recommendations to move the debate forward.
Sorry, you need to install flash to see this content.

Czech Republic exemplifies smart and humane drug policy

There is nothing politically easier in most countries than scapegoating drugs and drug users as the source of all social problems. Politicians can expect a boost in their popularity when they support repressive measures against drugs and are dismissive of public services for people who use illicit drugs.
Bolivia Withdraws from the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs

The Bolivian government formally notified the UN Secretary General of its withdrawal from the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.

Articles

Colombian President Santos, OAS Chief Insulza to Present New Study on Drug Policy Alternatives

Washington, D.C.—This Friday, May 17, in Bogotá, Colombia, Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General José Miguel Insulza will present Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos with the outcomes of the hemispheric drug policy review...

Participants listening to the debate on drugs policy

Who is winning "the war on drugs"?

Tom Blickman and Martin Jelsma from TNI are speaking at the debate Who is winning "the war on drugs"? about the global context of drug policy. The debate was organized by Krytyka Polityczna in Warsaw on 13 February 2013.

Uruguay postpones vote on 'state as dealer' approach to drug regulation - but not for long?

Uruguay has been on the vanguard of drug policy reform in the Americas, proposing a state regulatory market for the cultivation and consumption of marijuana. President Mujica always said he wouldn't push the proposal if a majority of Uruguayans...

Portugal progresses toward integrated cannabis regulation

The “Portuguese model” of drugs decriminalisation has clearly demonstrated that greater tolerance to drug users does not lead to an increase in consumption. Nevertheless it is a model with immense loopholes and contradictions.

AIDS 2012 – Time for courage if we are going to turn the tide

As a participant at last week’s 19th International HIV/AIDS Conference, I was reminded of President Fernando Henrique Cardoso’s and UNDP Administrator Helen Clark’s ...

Czech Republic exemplifies smart and humane drug policy

There is nothing politically easier in most countries than scapegoating drugs and drug users as the source of all social problems. Politicians can expect a boost in their popularity when they support repressive measures against drugs and are...

At Summit, Drug Talk likely to be Hot but Hidden

The Summit of the Americas is focused on roads and ports. But behind closed doors, leaders will discuss drug policies.

Latin America debates alternatives to current drug policy

Drugs and Democracy

Debate on alternatives to the war on drugs, which TNI has promoted for years, is finally received unprecedented attention as several Latin America presidents put it on the agenda of the highest level intergovernmental meeting in the hemisphere....

Drugs on Latin America summit's agenda

Martin Jelsma

A critical rethink of the war on drugs features prominently on the agenda of the Cartagena summit. This provides opportunities to move forward but also faces several risks that could suffocate the remarkable yet incipient political opening of the...

Tackle Burma's Drugs Problem

Martin Jelsma

Tom Kramer

Policy priorities should focus on how best to manage and reduce the many health and social harms associated with the reality of a persistent and ever changing drugs market.

See all articles

Publications

De wankelende ‘Weense consensus’ over drugsbeleid

Martin Jelsma

Nederland is met zijn drugsbeleid in de achterhoede terecht gekomen. Zo zijn Uruguay en de Amerikaanse staten Washington en Colorado, met hun besluit de cannabismarkt van teelt tot gebruik te legaliseren, Nederland voorbijgestreefd.

Bogotá’s medical care centres for drug addicts

The opening in September 2012 of the first centre for drug addicts in Bogota is a welcome first step towards more humane and effective drug policies in Colombia’s capital city, but to be effective needs to be integrated into proper overall drugs...

A breakthrough in the making?

Amira Armenta

Martin Jelsma

Pien Metaal

There is an undeniable regional trend of moving away from the ‘war on drugs’ in Latin America. This briefing explains the background, summarises the state of ongoing drug law reforms, and makes recommendations to move the debate...