The HCLU\u2019s Drugreporter is launching a video campaign to debunk the offensive of the International Narcotics Control Board against drug policy reform initiatives<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) is almost as old as the global drug control system itself: it was created in 1961, the year when the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs was signed by UN member states. This treaty banned the non-scientific and non-medical use of some drugs (other than those popular in Western societes).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The INCB was created to monitor the implementation of the treaty and to ensure that illicit drugs are available for pain medication. The Single Convention is now more than 50 years old, but has never been evaluated. Without evidence to support the policies based on this convention, it has become dogma – holy text recited at the annual meetings of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) – light-years away from the reality on the streets. The original purpose of the convention \u2013 to protect public health and human rights \u2013 has been obliterated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the conventions have become sacred texts, then the INCB has become the Inquisition, combatting heretics who question or deny the one true interpretation of the treaties. Although the INCB does not imprison and torture heretics, there are millions of people who lose their freedom, their health, and even their lives, because of the punitive drug policies it supports (learn more about the costs of the global war on drugs!<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n The INCB’s main weapon is its annual report, which condemns those member states which stray away from its own narrow interpretation of the Conventions. For many years, the INCB has used its report to criticise the Netherlands for its cannabis coffee shops; Switzerland, Canada and Australia for their supervised injection sites. But this year it has much more to worry about. Two US states (Colorado<\/a> and Washington<\/a>), and one Latin-American country (Uruguay) have introduced legal regulation of cannabis for recreational use. This year\u2019s annual report, published last Tuesday, addressed these developments. Raymond Yans, the current president of the INCB, voiced concern over these \u201cmisguided initiatives\u201d which posed \u201ca very grave danger to public health and wellbeing\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the Drugreporter video advocacy team attended the International Drug Policy Reform Conference in Denver, Colorado last year, we interviewed some of the people who played a pivotal role in making cannabis legal in the state. We asked them to comment on the INCB\u2019s criticisms. Here we present a short video, giving the responses of leading drug reformers to Mr. Yans’ accusations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n