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Well said Paul Hunt.

The marginalisation and degradation of drug users by society continues. Ironically it also leads to ongoing problematic drug use. This demonisation of illicit drug taking institutionally criminalises, isolates and humiliates recovering users making recovery and social reintegration almost impossible.

The parallel universe in which drug users struggle to gain access to human rights and respect is no oversight or mistake. The war on drugs is a war on drug users, and societies and governments like to have scapegoats and public enemies - drug users are a convenient and easy target.

Unravelling the mess we've created by embracing and globally promoting the sale and distribution of two particularly dangerous drugs while at the same time going to inordinate effort, energy and expense to prevent the sale and distribution of other substances seems too challenging, too contradictory and too complicated for politicians and leaders.