Harm Reduction, HIV/AIDS, and the Human Rights Challenge to Global Drug Control Policy, by Richard Elliott, Joanne Csete, Evan Wood and Thomas Kerr
December 5, 2005 by Damon Barrett
Filed under HIV/AIDS and HCV, Harm reduction, Issues, United Nations: Drug Control, United Nations: Human Rights
Health and Human Rights, 2005;8(2):104-3
Abstract
The global HIV/AIDS pandemic, and the role of unsafe drug injection as one of its principal drivers, have added to the list of harms associated with unsafe drug use. HIV/AIDS has highlighted ways in which prohibitionist drug policy causes or contributes to such harms and focused attention on the international regime of illicit drug control. At the same time, HIV/AIDS has catalyzed the “health and human rights movement” to articulate legal and policy responses that both represent sound public health policy and fulfill human rights obligations recognized in international law; this necessarily includes scrutinizing the interpretation and implementation of the UN drug control conventions. This article brings together public health evidence and legal analysis as a contribution toward changing the global drug control regime to a more health-friendly, human rights-based system.
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Emerging policy contradictions between the United Nations drug control system and the core values of the United Nations, David R Bewley-Taylor
December 5, 2005 by Damon Barrett
Filed under United Nations: Drug Control, United Nations: Human Rights
International Journal of Drug Policy, Volume 16, Issue 6, Pages 423-431 (2005)
Abstract
This paper argues that the image of the UN as a benevolent organization is a crucial factor in the functioning of the global drug prohibition regime. It contends, however, that from certain normative perspectives, particularly that of harm reduction, it is possible to identify the emergence of policy contradictions between what can be broadly defined as the United Nations drug control system and the core values of the UN as laid out in the Charter and other key instruments from which the UN derives its image of benevolence. Four interrelated areas of perceived conflict are discussed: sovereignty and jurisdiction; human rights; the promotion of solutions to international economic, social, health and related problems; and the maintenance of international peace and security. It is suggested that such a situation may undermine a key mechanism for regime adherence. The paper concludes by offering some options that may exploit systemic contradictions and assist in instigating incremental change to the regime.