Drugs Policies

TNI has been working for a radical reform of international drugs policies since 1998 and runs an internationally respected Drugs and Democracy Programme. TNI's call for a new paradigm to tackle drug abuse based on harm reduction, effective alternative development programmes, revision of International Drug Control conventions and full respect for human rights has gained increasing support from civil society, governments and international institutions.

Mid-term review of UNGASS 2003

November 2005
TNI

The UNGASS mid-term review in April 2003 will present Mr Costa with a high-level political opportunity to convince the world of his commitment to take UNDCP in a more rational direction, to say farewell to the years of crisis, to restore donor confidence and to open up the debate.

The United Nations and Harm Reduction Overview and Links

November 2005
TNI

TNI and official links on UN and Harm Reduction

Bolivia Drugs Overview

November 2005
TNI

Bolivia has lived through more than two decades of supply reduction policies, but still figures as the world's third cocaine-producing country.

Afghanistan: Drugs overview

November 2005
TNI

Afghanistan is the world's largest producer of opium, the raw material for heroin. In 2000, the Taleban regime enforced an opium ban that led to the virtual disappearance of opium poppy cultivation in areas under their control. In drug control terms, this is often referred to as an unprecedented success, yet the ban caused a major humanitarian disaster for hundreds of thousands dependent on the illicit economy.

Conflicting view on Harm Reduction in UN become major concern

November 2005
TNI

Tensions in US-UNODC relations should be resolved by more sustainable funding mechanisms, not by bowing to Republican flat-earthism. It is time to be guided by the light of science, not by the darkness of ignorance and fear.

An Agenda for Vienna: EU presentation

November 2005
Martin Jelsma

Presented at Public Hearing "Vienna 2003: A Chance for the World. For Another Drug Policy", European Parliament, Brussels, 4 March 2003

Cracks in the Vienna Consensus Briefing

November 2005
Martin Jelsma
Pien Metaal

Numerous UN conferences and summits have been devoted to negotiating a harmonized global approach to illicit drugs. Yet more and more cracks are now beginning to appear in the supposedly universal model which is, in reality, based on a highly fragile consensus.

Informal Drug Policy Dialogue

October 2005
TNI

As in 2004 on the isle of Crete, the meeting had an informal nature. The two-day dialogue was focused on three themes: (1) harm reduction developments at the regional and UN level; (2) alternative development: dilemmas around coca and opium reduction efforts; and (3) preparations
for the 2008 UNGASS review.

A Pipe Dream?

October 2005
Martin Jelsma

Aerial spraying knows no borders

September 2005
Drugs and Democracy

In this briefing the Transnational Institute explains why the Colombian government has been unwilling to give ground on this minimal demand, which the Ecuadorians have been making since 2001, shortly after the aerial spraying began as part of Plan Colombia.