Viet Nam Human Rights
»
political-social
»
Are We Fighting a Losing Battle in the War Against Drugs?
Are We Fighting a Losing Battle in the War Against Drugs?
6/7/19
How effective is the global war on drugs?
The latest statistics released by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) are staggering: 35 million people across the globe currently have a substance use disorder, and as of 2017, 585,000 people have died worldwide as a result of drug use.
According to a recently-released UNODC report, the lack of proficient drug treatment and facilities for those that need it is impacting mortality rates at alarming levels.
Hence, it stands to reason that treatment and prevention are immensely falling short of the mark on a global scale.
Prisons are also no exception to these shortcomings. In fact, the Report unmasked that those incarcerated for drugs are more likely to continue being exposed to drugs.
The Report also highlighted that out of the 149 countries that were surveyed, about 1 in 3 people reported that they consumed drugs in prison at least once while incarcerated, and 1 in 5 people who are currently incarcerated reported that they have used drugs within the past month.
"In terms of data, we did some data collection, always trying to get as much as possible, in terms of socio-economic characteristics, we would have this type of data, I imagine, and this is also something that will run throughout the new report, and is being discussed now." Chloé Carpentier, Chief of the Drug Research Section told IPS.
The issue between drugs and human rights is on Secretary General António Guterres' radar as well.
"Together, we must honour the unanimous commitments made to reduce drug abuse, illicit trafficking and the harm that drugs cause, and to ensure that our approach promotes equality, human rights, sustainable development, and greater peace and security." Secretary General António Guterres stated on the International Day Against Drug Use and Illicit Trafficking.
"We will make sure that no one with a drug problem is left behind" Dr. Miwa Kato assured, during the official launch of the Report on June 26.
Dr. Kato continued to push this message throughout her speech and cited that "Health and justice need to work hand in hand."
Beyond the UN, this is a topic of interest for the academia world as well, since young people are heavily susceptible to a substance use disorder.
"It is important that we say people--- not user or addicts, that language itself is stigmatizing." Dr. Danielle Ompad, Associate Professor, College of Global Public Health and Deputy Director, Center for Drug Use and HIV Research at New York University (NYU) told IPS.
Dr. Ompad highlighted the importance of person-first language, citing that "It is important how we refer to people, and view them as humans, and not just the behavior (the substance use).
In terms of the World Drug Report, she noted that "The war on drugs, if you look at it, hasn't really been an effective war", and elaborated that the focus should not be supply- side intervention, because in the long run, drugs are going to be produced and sold no matter what, which leads to mass incarceration, which doesn't benefit any party.
It is also important to recognize that "not everyone needs treatment, and those that do should absolutely have access to it. But just because you use marijuana does not mean you are an addict".
She went on to suggest a harm- reduction approach. The harm-reduction approach blends a plethora of strategies from safer use to managed use to abstinence- it meets the need of the person.
Meanwhile, tracing back to the issue of treatment, the Report affirmed that over 80% of the world's population lack access to adequate treatment with only 1 out of 7 people with a substance use disorder receiving treatment each year.
The Report showcased that women cited a strong sense of fear that kept them from seeking the help that they needed for a variety of reasons that ranged from possible legal issues to the lack of childcare while in treatment.
Another issue is several countries, particularly in Asia, is the death penalty for any person found guilty of a drug ‘offense.'
Last month, Sri Lanka's President, Maithripala Sirisena signed death warrants for four convicts- thus pushing the notion that those who have a substance use disorder are ‘dirty' and should be disposed of.
Similarly, in a 2014 study conducted by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, it was shown that drug addiction was viewed more negatively than mental illness. Ironically, however, the two are all but intertwined.
This is also evidenced by the Report- about half of the world's population that develop a mental disorder will also experience a substance use disorder in their lifetime.
However, it is to be noted, that despite all of the above, the Report only cited the "lack of effective treatment interventions based on scientific evidence and in line with human rights obligations." but made no further elaborations on the what's and how's and was only discussed briefly at the official Report launch.
That said, the issue of ensuring those that do have a substance use disorder are provided for while figuring out more beneficial and healthier initiatives to reduce drug rates across the globe are currently being discussed among the United Nations (UN) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Dr Omad said for better and or worse, licit and illicit drug use is part of our world.
"Focus a little bit more on harm reduction," Dr. Ompad stated, and above all "We need to stop the war on the people who use drugs," she declared.
Popular Posts
-
Religion is a part of the spiritual life in society, this phenomenon of the superstructure has been strongly changed with economic - social... -
Vietnam has just done well for the second cycle of Universal Periodical Review (UPR) in Geneva, Switzerland. So, what’s the UPR? an... -
Thai people in Shutdown Bangkok protests Not until this crisis, we have realized the ne... -
Representatives from foreign countries congratulate Viet Nam on its election to the Human Rights Council for the first time on November ... -
A street flowers vendor in Hanoi Another new spring has come to Vietnam, bring... -
If nothing changes, there will be a preferential credit program with hundreds of thousands billion of capital for agriculture and r... -
Recently, several anti-governmental individuals have established series of illegal groups and organizations in the name of civil soci... -
Radio Free Asia (RFA) is a private, nonprofit international broadcasting agency of the United States government that broadcasts and...
All comments [ 20 ]
One hundred years after drugs were first banned, support for waging war on drugs is collapsing.
In the United States, only one in five people now believe the drug war is worth the costs
In Britain, only 26 percent believe “drugs should be illegal even if they are controlled by criminals
Wherever the alternatives have been tried – as ‘Chasing the Scream’ shows – they are working startlingly well, and almost nobody wants to go back.
This is an amazing opportunity for anybody who wants to get involved in this fight. If we act now, we can end a century-long war.
We can save the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. It is in our power to achieve this, in our lifetimes.
All over the world, this fight has begun – and every year it is making startling progress.
These are, in my opinion, the best organizations in the world fighting to end this war.
we have been fighting a drug war we can't possibly win. Meanwhile, we have barely begun to fight a different drug war we couldn't possibly lose.
The losing battle is against illegal drugs.
Occasionally arresting a drug kingpin or confiscating a few million of dollars worth of contraband heroin or cocaine makes for a nice headline, but doesn't stop the flow.
The beneficiaries of our war on drugs have been the cartels and the narco-terrorists; the casualties are the failing states they can buy or bully.
We have unwittingly created a terrific business model for the drug dealers and a disaster for the states where they deal.
That other drug war, which we couldn't possibly lose, is against the excessive use of legal drugs that is promoted by our own pharmaceutical companies.
Astounding fact: prescription drugs are now responsible for more accidental overdoses and deaths than street drugs.
The drug cocktails are sometimes prescribed by dangerous high-flying doctors, sometimes by multiple doctors who just aren't aware of each other's existence, and prescription drugs are also widely available for purchase on the street.
The free market in drug salesmanship has led to promiscuous drug use, needless side effects and wasted resources—a kind of societal overdose.
The war on drugs is a campaign, led by the U.S. federal government, of drug prohibition, military aid, and military intervention, with the stated aim being to reduce the illegal drug trade in the United States.
Many currently illegal drugs, such as marijuana, opium, coca, and psychedelics have been used for thousands of years for both medical and spiritual purposes. So why are some drugs legal and other drugs illegal today
The initiative includes a set of drug policies that are intended to discourage the production, distribution, and consumption of psychoactive drugs that the participating governments and the UN have made illegal.
Your comments