Each year, the UNODC reports an estimated half a million drug-related deaths – deaths that could be prevented with well-funded harm reduction services and an enabling political and legislative environment that provides care and support for people who use drugs, instead of punishment. This side event was organised by the International Drug Policy Consortium.

It’s common for governments to use ‘protecting the youth’ as a justification for punitive drug policies. The policies governments are propagating, however, are not evidence-based and show little knowledge of how young people use drugs. Read an intriguing report about youth activists who fight for drug policy reform written by our intern, Hannah Taylor!

A story from Anyone’s Child Kenya about a mourning mother and sister. Watch the latest video of Anyone’s Child Campaign and Cara Lavan supported by the Drugreporter.

Meet Erik, who is witnessing the devastating effect that punitive drug policies are having on his beloved brother. This video has been produced by Cara Lavan and the Anyone’s Child campaign with the support of Drugreporter.

Meet Zahra, a mother from Kenya, who is speaking up against punitive drug policies. The video was produced with the support of Drugreporter. 

Anyone’s Child campaign gives a voice to families who have been impacted by drug policy. This time to Lugard from Kenya. Watch the short film produced by a member of the Drugreporter video network!