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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 9h

📄 NEW IN @science.org! 🌱 Research shows coca & cocaine have been wrongly conflated in law — with harmful effects on science and rights. The coca review process is an opportunity for redress!

Scientific distinctions between coca and cocaine support policy reform

White et al. argue that scientific, cultural and legal evidence clearly distinguishes coca from cocaine — and that global drug policy must correct this long-standing misclassification rooted in colonial bias.

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 1d

The resolution seeks to protect civil society space, promote alternatives to incarceration, defend Indigenous rights, & recognise environmental rights.

Attempts by Russia to remove #HarmReduction were defeated by 25 votes vs. 10. Evidence & rights trumping reactionary ideology.

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 1d

Last week the #HRC60 made history. Resolution L.31 was adopted by consensus — placing human rights at the heart of global drug policy.

Read & share our analysis: https://f.mtr.cool/nmatmbscdf

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 1d

At the UNAIDS PCB Special Session, IDPC joined INPUD & HRI to warn against plans to 'sunset' UNAIDS.

An early closure would endanger progress on #HarmReduction & #HumanRights-

Read the statement:

Joint statement on the proposed sunsetting of UNAIDS - Special session of the Programme Coordinating Board (PCB)

IDPC joined INPUD and HRI in expressing deep concern over plans to “sunset” UNAIDS, warning that its premature closure would endanger progress on harm reduction and human rights.

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 2d

This call is co-led by our friends at @hivlegalnetwork.bsky.social & @theslf.org, who also host an event to mobilise support for the Global Fund’s replenishment.

Register to join: https://f.mtr.cool/lmumskkmpj

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 2d

🇨🇦 IDPC joins 200+ orgs worldwide urging Canada to show leadership for the @GlobalFund's 8th Replenishment. We call on PM @mark-carney.bsky.social to pledge CAD$1.37 bn.

Read & share the letter:

Canada must show leadership for Global Fund’s 8th replenishment - Open letter

IDPC joins civil society worldwide in calling on Canada to reaffirm its leadership in global health by pledging CAD$1.37 billion to the Global Fund, saving millions of lives and strengthening global resilience.

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 2d

🌱 THIS FRIDAY — Join experts, including Indigenous voices, exploring the coca leaf beyond Prohibition, towards justice, sustainability and the recognition of ancestral culture.

When? Fri. 17 Oct. 18:00
Where? SOAS University

More info:

Coca talks - Futuro coca

This dialogue at SOAS explores the coca leaf beyond prohibition — as a bridge between Indigenous knowledge, environmental justice, and drug policy reform. Featuring voices from Colombia and beyond.

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 7d

🔔 L.31 is a turning point for the global drug policy debate, signalling clearer leadership by Geneva-based bodies, committed to enacting stronger safeguards and moving toward people-centred reform.

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 7d

🌱 The resolution also seeks to protect civil society space, recognises Indigenous rights and traditional uses, advances alternatives to incarceration, and acknowledges environmental rights — a first for the Council's involvement in drug policy!

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 7d

❌ Attempts to strip out harm reduction from the text backfired. Russia's amendment on this matter was defeated with 25 votes against the deletion and only 10 in favour).

Harm reduction is now widely recognised as *essential* for rights-based #DrugPolicy

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 7d

🔎 The Council will remain active on the issue and strengthen coherence with Vienna-based bodies — including the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) — through systematic information sharing.

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 7d

⚖️ The #HRC60 just reset the terms of global drug policy. Res L.31, adopted by consensus, affirms this issue as firmly embedded within the human rights mandate.

🔎 Our analysis: https://f.mtr.cool/zxyezoyhfa

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 7d

❌ Attempts to strip out harm reduction from the text backfired. Russia's amendment on this matter was defeated with 25 votes against the deletion and only 10 in favour).

Harm reduction is now widely recognised as *essential* for rights-based #DrugPolicy

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 7d

🔎 The Council will remain active on the issue and strengthen coherence with Vienna-based bodies — including the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) — through systematic information sharing.

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 8d

6. Strengthen the European Union’s role at the UN — At a time when the multilateral system is threatened by reactionary ideology, the EU must lead with health and rights, showing leadership in supporting key UN norms and guidance.

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 8d

5. Enable policy innovation — Dialogue and learning around pioneering policy experiments by EU Member States — including in relation to decriminalisation and responsible regulation — should be promoted by the new Strategy.

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 8d

4. Prioritise harm reduction and the right to health — Well-funded, scaled-up programmes, as well as support for their evaluation and refinement, are essential.

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 8d

3. Reinforce an evidence- and rights-based approach — The SDGs and latest international guidance on drug policy and its alignment with rights protections should be prioritised.

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 8d

2. Safeguard civil society participation — With authoritarian rule on the rise, the Strategy should show leadership in protecting advocates and affected communities, ensuring participation and accountability mechanisms.

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 8d

1. Avoid an overemphasis on supply reduction — Punitive approaches have failed to reduce the drug market and fuel human rights abuses. A balanced approach calls for action plans and resources for all pillars, not just supply reduction.

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 8d

🛑 Europe can’t punish its way out of drug problems — IDPC’s 6 asks call on the European Commission to commit to a balanced EU Drug Strategy.

📝 Full contribution: https://f.mtr.cool/qpjmozdixj

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 9d

📢 This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to align global drug policy with UN values — we must make it count!

🔔 Help us share and amplify the letter and the call ahead of the October deadline!

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 9d

📘 For detailed recommendations, check out IDPC's report:

Repairing the “machinery”: Recommendations and expectations for the independent review of international drug policy commitments

IDPC lays out key considerations and aspirations for the independent panel established by the CND to review the UN drug control system, highlighting potential pitfalls to avoid to make this review count.

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 9d

⏳ The deadline for UN nominations to the international drug control expert review panel approaches.

With 182 organisations worldwide, we urge UN Secretary-General António Guterres to appoint #Health & #HumanRights experts.

Share the open letter! 👇👇👇

183 civil society groups urge UN Secretary-General to lead historic global drug policy review with a bold, inclusive and transformative vision

Global civil society groups call on the UN Secretary-General to ensure the independence, credibility and representativeness of the UN review's expert panel, and to champion meaningful, rights-affirming reform.

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International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 9d

❌ Punitive drug laws continue to fuel human rights violations.

🕊️ Our event at #HRC60 saw states and advocates call for the Council's adoption of a resolution centring human dignity.

WATCH:

Drug policy reform: A powerful tool to prevent serious human rights violations

The event will explore how drug policy reform can prevent serious human rights violations, broaden discussions beyond health, and highlight pathways toward decriminalisation, the abolition of the death penalty, and international cooperation.

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