An authoritarian government can scale up access to harm reduction and reform drug laws. But without a free and vibrant democratic society, drug policy reform cannot be truly meaningful and sustainable.
Regulation and Control
A Year Long Battle for Transparent Policy Making
Amendments of the Law on Psychoactive and Controlled Substances in Serbia. Read about the controversial and not-transparent process of the adoption of the amendments, and the fight of NGOs to be involved.
Hydra and Heracles: Lessons Not Learned
How the Polish Ministry of Health wants to fight new psychoactive substances. Analogy with the myth of the Hydra and Heracles.
Portugal Beyond Decriminalisation: Challenges to Harm Reduction
Portugal is praised for its decriminalisation model but austerity measures often undermine the well-being of people who use drugs and thus, endanger the whole system. Ximene Rego from the research team of our Portuguese partner, APDES assessed the situation.
Polish Drug Policy in Numbers
“The numbers show us that the current Polish drug policy is not working,” says Adam Stasiak from the Polish Drug Policy Network.
Are You In Italy And Smoking Marijuana? Find Out What The Legal Risks Are, And What To Do About It
Are you a cannabis user in Italy as a student, on business, or on vacation? Here is a guide we think you should read to avoid problems with the law.
Drug Policy and the Polish Criminal Justice System
“We just do not have the time for that” – that sentence has echoed in my mind since the last conference. What does it concern? Drug policy. Who doesn’t have time for it? The Polish justice system. Polish Drug Policy Network organised a training which aimed to create a platform between judges, prosecutors, and addiction […]
“The Public Mood For Change Is High In New Zealand” – Interview With Ross Bell
The New Zealand Drug Foundation has been in the forefront of drug policy debates in New Zealand for more than 25 years. We interviewed its director, Ross Bell, about the chances of reforming drug laws in his country.
Can Legalising Drugs Fix All Problems?
The legal regulation of drugs is more effective and just than prohibition. But does it really fix most problems? Not without social justice. (This article is available in Spanish, Portuguese and Italian)
“Reconquering Drug Policies From Hysterical Minds” – Interview with Òscar Parés
The Catalonian parliament has recently adopted a new law to regulate the cannabis market. We interviewed Òscar Parés, the deputy director of the International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research & Service to learn more about the cannabis reconquista movement in Spain.
