Silenced NGO Partner
sarosip, March 15, 2008 - 16:49
WATCH OUR VIDEO ON THE GLOBAL DRUG CZAR BEING EMBARRASSED BY AN NGO REPRESENTATIVE!
READ OUR COMMENTS:
To my surprise, Mr. Antonio-Maria Costa, the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime did not address government delegates in his opening speech at the 51st session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), but rather his NGO critics. He claimed there are significant achievements of the UN drug control system we can be proud of, but many people “intentionally fail to recognize” them, even if these achievements are supported by “hard facts”. As one of the NGO advocates labeled by Mr. Costa a member of a “vocal minority” and a “rowdy pro-drug” crowd, I have mixed feelings about his remarks. First of all, I am pleased that our voice is heard so “loud and clear” by the top ranking official of the UN drug control system that he felt an impregnable urge to put these criticisms on the agenda of the opening session of the largest drug policy decision making forum of the globe.
It also came as a positive surprise that he stressed the importance of human rights in the context of drug policies and indirectly (and controversially) called for the abolishment of death penalty for drug crimes. We can celebrate an unprecedented NGO participation at the CND this year, I m glad we had the opportunity to make a statement at the thematic debate on behalf of the Eurasian Harm Reduction Network and the HCLU (
). This would have been unthinkable even a couple of years ago. Until this year many people would also have called it a wishful thinking that the annual report of INCB is calling for the moderation of criminal sanctions against drug users, mentioning HIV/AIDS 54 times and discussing harm reduction in a positive context. Times are changing and there is a growing awareness of the important role civil society plays in the field of drug policy.
Notwithstanding, I think Mr. Costa’s attitude to his NGO critics was arrogant in general, and it was especially so at the NGO forum meeting under the slogan “Not so silent partners” at the CND. He has to strike a rational tone when answering simple questions like the one Frederick Polak, a respected Dutch psychiatrist asked at the meeting of the Vienna NGO Forum: “If prohibition is the only way to contain the drug problem, how do you explain that the prevalence of cannabis use is lower or similar in the Netherlands than in many neighboring countries?” This question is a very crucial one, because the hypothesis behind drug prohibition is that if we repress the supply of drugs the demand will automatically reduced. If this theory works, than we would have seen a major difference between use prevalence trends in countries where cannabis is available in shops and in countries where distributors are sent to jail, if these countries have similar social, economic and cultural backgrounds. But this is not the case: according to statistics cannabis use patterns remained relatively stable in the Netherlands and did not hit the sky as a result of legal availability. In his speech Mr. Costa emphasized that he doesn’t need NGOs as “silent partners” and called for challenging his views.
Well, Dr. Polak did challenge him. But instead of giving an honest and definite answer, the global drug czar used a false argumentation which is often called the Red Herring. The name of this fallacy comes from the sport of fox hunting in which a dried, smoked herring, which is red in color, is dragged across the trail of the fox to throw the hounds off the scent. In the science of logics, this means a fallacy in which an irrelevant topic is presented in order to divert attention from the original issue. Mr. Costa talked about the recent limitations of the number of coffee shops, citing incorrect data and references to divert attention from the very fact that the coffee shop system has been working since 1976 and the prevalence of cannabis use among young people is lower in the Netherlands than in many countries with a restrictive criminal policy. It is true that the Dutch government – under the pressure of other countries and the UN itself, not based on evidence – made some controversial steps to reduce the number of coffee shops (without closing them all), but this proofs nothing. Decisions made by politicians should be based on evidence, but we shouldn’t use political decisions as evidence. Unfortunately, the UN drug control system works in the opposite way: it has its own dogmas based on political decisions that overwrite science and even human rights. When Dr. Polak complained about this, Mr. Costa lost his temper and grudgingly refused to engage in further discussions, giving the floor to another speaker, while Polak was approached by a security guard.
Some NGO representatives on the other end gave a standing ovation to Mr. Costa when he left the hall (you can see the same people applauding his anti-coffee shop statements in our video). The celebration was initiated by the lapdogs of the U.S. and Swedish governments of course, like the European Cities Against Drugs, an international organization funded by the Swedish government to promote its drug policy, praising “treatment” services in Russia notorious for chaining and humiliating drug users, or SUNDIAL, an “NGO” led by the former speechwriter of the American drug czar. Among them we found the representative of the Partnership for a Drug Free America as well, who advocates the idea that we can solve drug problems by forcing schoolchildren to piss to a flask, despite the growing evidence that school drug testing doesn’t work at all.
|
Social Indicator |
Comparison Year |
USA
|
Netherlands
|
|
Lifetime prevalence of marijuana use (ages 12+) |
2001
|
36.9%
|
17.0%
|
|
Past month prevalence of marijuana use (ages 12+) |
2001
|
5.4%
|
3.0%
|
|
Lifetime prevalence of heroin use (ages 12+) |
2001
|
1.4%
|
0.4%
|
|
Incarceration Rate per 100,000 population |
2002
|
701
|
100
|
|
Per capita spending on criminal justice system (in Euros) |
1998
|
379 Euros |
223 Euros |
|
Homicide rate per 100,000 population |
Average 1999-2001 |
5.56
|
1.51
|
Source: Drug War Facts
It is unacceptable for a high ranking UN official to use an offensive language with professionals raising apprehensive, reasonable arguments against the current drug control regime, as Mr. Costa did in his opening remarks. We cannot speak about an open, decent dialogue if Mr. Costa from the position of power questions the sincere commitment and good intentions of his opponents calling them by names like “lunatics” and stigmatizing them as “pro-drug”. As a UN official with a tax-free salary paid by tax payers of the member states, he is responsible for providing faithful accounting to civil society about the past 10 years of the drug control regime under his reign as a global drug czar. And first of all, he has to show respect for those people who work in the field to reduce the harms created by drug abuse and abusive drug policies, from very limited resources, for low salaries and restrained by the barriers of stigma and discrimination. Even if they believe in legalization, or even if they are drug users themselves, because drug users are also people with inalienable human rights and dignity, a value constituting the very core of the UN system. Period.
By Peter Sarosi
It is truly disturbing how
It is truly disturbing how arrogant this "official" was. Although it is irrelevant in regards to the original question, still, I think it's important to note why the Dutch government has decided to move the coffeeshops to its borders. It is not because of "their drug policy has failed", as the unintelligent "official" said so, but because tourists are a problem from all the other countries where the government still follows the draconian rules of the UN (the US really). Drug-tourism is a real difficulty for The Netherlands, but that is not an effect of –their- drug policy, but rather the effect of the neighbor's drug-policy. Having tens of thousands each weekend come to litter and urinate all over the historic small-towns will certainly make any major wanting to move any attraction away from their town. If the policy of the neighbors was more realistic, these folks would never come to visit at the first place, so there would be no need to move anything anywhere. All in all of course this doesn't matter, because Mr. Antonio-Maria Costa could care less about real discussion, as he is very well aware that the policy he advocates does not work, never did and never will. But like so many others, him too chooses to lay low cowardly and bow to the prohibitionist USA. Not so surprising really - it's a trendy thing to do. But all should recognize and congratulate the bravery of the Dutch to stand out (like in this video), and follow true logic, honesty and persistence in their decisions towards their issues!
Re: It is truly disturbing how
I live in London, and bribery amongst a very small number of local officials exists (masteroftv.com) but thankfully, does not hinder or rebalance parliamentary policies!
I feel ashamed that this Mr.
I feel ashamed that this Mr. Costa, this arrogant, stupid liar is paid from my taxes.
offenses
Dear Tamas, I think Mr. Costa is not stupid and not a liar, but you are right, his behaviour and words were quite arrogant. I think the solution is not if we call our opponents names the same way they do.
Dear Peter, you're right,
Dear Peter, you're right, but do not underestimate the power of indignation. We can say, that perhaps he is not telling the whole truth despite his best knowledge, or he's representing a false ideology based on manipulated datas... Whatever. To correct my first thoughts I think I should've written my comment as an alternative - stupid OR liar. Arrogancy: beyond question.
I think sometimes we have to remain polite pending the negotiantions and sometimes we have to be rude also - it depends of the forum and the goal we are to reach blahblahblah.
Anyway: thanks. I behave myself next time if you wish so ;)
I don't know about Mr Costa
I don't know about Mr Costa being stupid, but he certainly has trouble retaining information. According to him, the Netherlands have a border with France. Spare him further embarrassment.
I really thank to one who
I really thank to one who wrote this article. I have always been reading and writing texts like this in blogs. Also, I, as a daily writer, present my respects to everyone. I just watched videos like this in youtube. I research in all areas. I think people must first research before writing...
Silenced NGO Partner
It is totally unaceptable to watch Mr. Antonio-Maria Costa, the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, fail to give any answer to Dr. Frederick Polak a pyschiatrist working within the drug field in the Netherlands.
Dr. Polaks question, was in the first instance evaded and then when he persisted with his question, which was pertinent to the occasion Dr. Polak's microphone was switched off. He was silenced.
This event took place in Vienna, Austria, in March, 2008 at the 51st session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).
The next pertinent question would be, 'was this Democracy'? This is what the people of Europe should now be asking.
Ian Harris (Mr.)
agrreed
useful video, thanks
online discussion
http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=69415113
I have started a community on this topic in Orkut.
Please start similar initiatives in Facebook, MySpace, Youtube etc.
I think its important that awareness of this video would spread through social graph.
drug war
I really have a strong opinion on the fact that drugs will not disappear until the money that come out of drugs and go into politicians pockets will become unavailable.
avenir
Very nice article ! Thanks
But I think the solution is not if we call our opponents names the same way they do.
It's a very nice video
It's a very nice video !
Very pleased to read this article!
Perioid.
What an ignorant fool.
This video was great. Thanks!
This was a really great video
This was a really great video presentation. Thanks a lot in regards!
Voyance serieuse
Nice !
voyance serieuse
Good Video
Dr. Polaks question, was in
Dr. Polaks question, was in the first instance evaded and then when he persisted with his question, which was pertinent to the occasion Dr. Polak's microphone was switched off. He was silenced.
Silenced NGO Partner
fantastic job. I am currently in the process of writing an ebook myself ... I will return once I finish reading it.
Hiiii
<p>wow the speech of Mr.Antonio was actually very realistic but i think he should not have used the offensive words against the crug regime because he being in a good position would definetely not suit him. and the video is very good </p>
Costa is right
Countries differ in their history and cultural background. What happens in the Netherlands is not at all indicative of what might happen elsewhere.
Similarly, comparing the United States, with its very different demographic composition, to the Netherlands is comparing apples and oranges.
The question posed by Polak, in a word, is meaningless.
The question raised was out of order. Polak should not use a UN forum for a personal crusade. Costa was right to rule him out of order.
A side comment. NGOs have become a more than an annoyance at UN meetings. They represent no one but themselves and are obsessed with pushing their own narrow interests. They should be limited in the participation.
Bad reasoning (Re: Costa is right)
By claiming idiosyncratic differences you just deny generalizability. However, the UN does not make any difference between countries, but forces the exact same general prohibition policy (the Conventions) on each member state. If the UN was to accept historical and cultural differences, they should immediately give back the right to chew coca leaves to the South American natives, for example! Claiming that the anomalies are only individual cases and not signs of failure in the general policy, is both unsound and double-moral.
Moreover, in your "fruit garden" there should be also successful examples of "historically and culturally different" bananas and pears that had successfully reduced their drug consumption levels by maintaining a strict prohibition policy. I assume Costa can not tell any such countries when asked - he could have already told, if he could. And even though there might be such countries, the cost of the drug war against their own citizens (in terms of human rights violation etc.) would be still morally questionable.
And even though there might be such countries...
As far as I know the German Democratic Republic ("East Germany" 1949-90) and the People's Republic of China are two examples of countries, that had successfully reduced their drug consumption levels by maintaining a strict prohibition policy.
I think that tells enough...
Do we really want to emulate them?
And both countries were Communist, totalitarian dictatorships. Mao Zedong, for example, did greatly reduce China's opium problem, but at a great cost. He had opium users killed, and sometimes even their families as well. Was it really worth it?
Don't know much about East Germany though. But even if they were successful, it appears that you can either have a drug-free society, or a free society, but NOT both. And even that was probably not completely drug free, and I'm fairly sure there was plenty of alcohol and tobacco as well.
South American
By claiming idiosyncratic differences you just deny generalizability. However, the UN does not make any difference between countries, but forces the exact same general prohibition policy (the Conventions) on each member state. If the UN was to accept historical and cultural differences, they should immediately give back the right to chew coca leaves to the South American natives, for example! Claiming that the anomalies are only individual cases and not signs of failure in the general policy, is both unsound and double-moral. Moreover, in your "fruit garden" there should be also successful examples of "historically and culturally different" bananas and pears that had successfully reduced their drug consumption levels by maintaining a strict prohibition policy. I assume Costa can not tell any such countries when asked - he could have already told, if he could. And even though there might be such countries, the cost of the drug war against their own citizens (in terms of human rights violation etc.) would be still morally questionable.
Host most test go go fun.
Host most test go go fun.
It is totally
<p>It is totally unaceptable to watch Mr. Antonio-Maria Costa, the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime,fail to give any answer to Dr. Frederick Polak a pyschiatrist working within the drug field in the Netherlands. Dr. Polaks question, was in the first instance evaded and then when he persisted with his question, which was pertinent to the occasion Dr. Polak's microphone was switched off. He was silenced.</p>
zeer artikel
It's a very nice video:Zeer verheugd om te lezen dit artikel..
Mr. Antonio-Maria Costa
It is totally unaceptable to watch Mr. Antonio-Maria Costa, the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, fail to give any answer to Dr. Frederick Polak a pyschiatrist working within the drug field in the Netherlands.
Silenced NGO Partner
drug use until the early years of this should be among the first criminal family falls. Families need enough importance and interest to their children do not show the children themselves do towards new needs. Distortion of the family structure, culture become corrupt, for example by artists of the future does not affect the behavior of children left to return to a world. I urge families to work with children because they have the necessary training for them to quit our future
Bla Bla Bla
I don't know about Mr Costa being stupid, but he certainly has trouble retaining information. According to him, the Netherlands have a border with France. Spare him further embarrassment. I agree With u
thank you
thanks
Great
Really very nice video, I like the quality of video as well.
I don't know about Mr Costa
I don't know about Mr Costa being stupid, but he certainly has trouble retaining information. According to him, the Netherlands have a border with France. Spare him further embarrassment.
It is totally unaceptable to
It is totally unaceptable to watch Mr. Antonio-Maria Costa, the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, fail to give any answer to Dr. Frederick Polak a pyschiatrist working within the drug field in the Netherlands. Dr. Polaks question, was in the first instance evaded and then when he persisted with his question, which was pertinent to the occasion Dr. Polak's microphone was switched off. He was silenced.
Spam and free speech
Please clean up the comments section, it's full of spam.
Spam is like online graffiti, and should be considered for what it is: vandalism and treated that way. Don't confuse it with free speech.
Good to watch. This was a
Good to watch. This was a really great video presentation. Thanks a lot in regards!
Very interesting information
Are you a professional journalist? You write very well.
Picamigo
Rather interesting to reed. Thx u . U make me happy
erointer
Opinions really differents. Can we disscuse it`s together? Thx. I will add this in RSS
Drugs will always be there as
Drugs will always be there as well as crime, lets educate our kidson the issue.
Regards
http://mayrennecarvajal.blogspot.com/
drugs
great video!
http://www.watersidemedia.com
news
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http://droiporter.hu/en/node/
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i like your articles thanks
i like your articles thanks
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this is wondeful film.
Who are watching this?
Not in my Name.
Re Costa, posted by another commenter:
"And first of all, he has to show respect for those people who work in the field to reduce the harms created by drug abuse and abusive drug policies, from very limited resources, for low salaries and restrained by the barriers of stigma and discrimination. Even if they believe in legalization, or even if they are drug users themselves, because drug users are also people with inalienable human rights and dignity, a value constituting the very core of the UN system. Period."
This encapsulates all that was wrong with the UN Special Sessions. It was engineered to fail. It was a platform for Ning-Nongs. Costa pandered to his constituency, abused due process and did a disservice to UN principals. His pronouncements, and the entire sham of consultation (including Beyond2008) remain a pretence to good governance.
One cannot with any legitimacy protest the 'death penalty' and preside over a prohibition that carries a burden of tens of thousands of 'deaths by collateral damage, disease, and friendly fire'.
There has been no accounting the mayem done in our name.
If Whaling or Nuclear Testing was handled as dishonestly there would be an uproar!
thank you admin <a
thank you admin
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WJOL Radio's Scott Slocum Interviews Will County Boxing Team
The following is a transcript of WJOL Radio's interview with some of Will County Boxing Gym team members- Billy Boy Thompson, Owner/ Pro Boxer/ Trainer Joseph Awinongya, Donald Myart, and Derek Drey a rising boxing star conducted by Scott Slocum 9AM Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010. To listen to full interview visit <a href=>www.willcountyboxing.com</a>
Scott: That will warm you up on this cold morning. Imagine yourself in a hot gym working up a sweat. That is what we all need as the temperature is going to fall to zero before that snow hits about 9PM tonight. Billy 'Boy' Thompson is in the studio with us and he's brought some guests. The 1964 graduate of the Joliet Township high school with an all time record of 110 and 15 with the 95 knockouts. How are you doing sir? Lets make sure the mics are on. Alright, who do you have with us this morning?
Billy: I have Joseph Awinongya from Ghana, Africa. He's president of our Will County Boxing Gym and Derek Drey. Derek Drey from Joliet, our boxing team and Donald Myart, he's a professional boxer, ex professional boxer-an amateur- boxer and also a broadcaster. We all are on the same page this morning.
Scott: So, ah you know, as long as it has been since you have been active in the ring, you are still so involved in the sport, and it shows by the people you brought in here today.
Billy: Well this guy, Joseph, got me involved. I was sitting back in my garage. I retired from the railroad for three years, worked for 31 years, but Joseph got me, got me to come by and and let's get together. So, I went to help him.
Scott: Well -That Joseph, is that the gentleman here?
Billy: That's correct he's from Ghana, Africa.
Joseph: I am from Ghana, I am from Ghana,- but I grew up in Italy. I am (Clears throat) an ex professional boxer. Don King brought me into this country. I came to Joliet, I was in Chicago, I was going to fight a guy in New York. So, I came to Chicago to train with the Polish fighter, because I was fighting the same guy from Poland. So, I came to Chicago and started training in the Windy City Gym and then the fight just turned off..They told me they did not want me any more. I came to Bolingbrook. I see some of the African stores over there, so I said I will stay right here.
Scott: So you got the youngsters going on now, and you are showing them what you know, huh.
Joseph: (Smiling) Yeah, I am showing them something. I came to Joliet. I found out that Joliet used to be a boxing town. I was in boxing for a long time and I said what am I going to do to bring some people together to see if we can open a boxing gym. It took me 5 years to start, you know, getting every body together, to see exactly what we want to do, and how to bring this about. Exactly, like Derek Drey, kids who have energy and want to burn it somewhere. So, we opened the boxing gym and so far the boxing gym is doing real good. We have some professionals, three professionals, we signed up a lot of kids. The boxing gym is going wonderful and I was very, very surprised.
Scott: Now let's back up a moment, you told me Don King brought you to this country?
Joseph: Yeah, Don King brought me to this country.
Scott: How many people want to be discovered by Don King!
Joseph: Yeah.
Scott: How did you do that?
Joseph: ...I went back home to Africa ...I was going back to Germany. I was sparring with one ex heavy weight champion and he had his people over there. They saw me, and they said they would like to sign me up, and that was my dream, since I was fighting. That was my dream to come to Don King. So, they saw me and then they brought me, I signed with them. I did really good with them. I don't take nothing away from Don King. He put me in a place that I know that I can do more things than I can do. What ever I want to do.
To listen to the full interview visit <a href=>www.willcountyboxing.com</a>
Test, just a test
Hello. And Bye.
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