Bulgarian society seems to be in a state of apathy when it comes to decriminalisation of drug use. Neither a so-called “reform” of the drugs law (making it harsher than ever), nor an outrageous fine for the pro-legalisation Green party, was a loud enough wake-up call for Bulgaria to distance itself from the current punishment-based approach. Read the guest article from human rights expert journalist Krassen Nikolov.
European Drug Policy
This is Why Needle Exchange Services are Needed in Budapest
The recent closure of the largest needle and syringe exchange program in Budapest raised a lot of concerns. Read how the leader of a similar service, ArtEra, sees the changing landscape for injecting drug users in the Hungarian capital.
Structural Changes Threaten Harm Reduction in Portugal
Do the recent structural changes to Portuguese harm reduction services threaten the stability and integrity of the country’s system? Our local EDPI partner, APDES, guides readers through this issue.
Serbian Youth Deserves Proper Party Scene Harm Reduction
Recreational drug use is common in party settings among Serbian youth– a recent large scale study concluded – bringing further evidence for the need to make party harm reduction services widely available across the country.
Polish Citizens Support the Legalisation of Marijuana
You still have time until the second half of November to sign the petition for EU-wide marijuana legalisation. The Weed like to talk initiative aims to make the European Union adopt a common policy on the control and regulation of cannabis production, use and sale.
Females Living With Addiction in Serbia: There Once Was a Girl…
Life can be particularly challenging for girls living with addiction in Serbia. Read the call from our Serbian partner organisations, for a gender-sensitive approach to helping substance users.
FOCUSING ON THE HUMAN BEING – Drug Policy in Portuguese-Speaking African Countries
The 1st International Conference on Drug Policies in Portuguese-Speaking African Countries (PALOP) – a pioneering event and the first of a set of meetings – was held on the 15th and 16th of January 2014, in Cape Verde. The Drugreporter’s team was invited to film at the event. Read our guest article by Inês Santos of APDES and watch the HCLU’s summary movie, or any of the presentations.
All You Need to Know About Polish Drug Routes
Poland has recently gone from having a full ban on, and absence of, illicit substances during the Soviet era, to becoming a booming drug user society. Read the Polish drug market analysis from our Polish partner.
Hungary Is Facing An HIV Epidemic Among Drug Users
Despite the first HIV transmissions among drug users, the largest Hungarian needle and syringe program has been forced to shut down, because of political attacks
Infographic: Poland’s Failed War on Drugs in Numbers
Check out our new infographic on how the war on drugs is failing in Poland. It's both a waste of taxpayer’s money, and a missed opportunity to improve society. In addition, there is no program of targeted education on psychoactive substances and harm reduction throughout Poland – that also has to be changed!
