Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 7h

6. Strengthen the European Union’s role at the UN — At a time when the multilateral system is threatened by reactionary ideology, the EU must lead with health and rights, showing leadership in supporting key UN norms and guidance.

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 7h

5. Enable policy innovation — Dialogue and learning around pioneering policy experiments by EU Member States — including in relation to decriminalisation and responsible regulation — should be promoted by the new Strategy.

1

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 7h

4. Prioritise harm reduction and the right to health — Well-funded, scaled-up programmes, as well as support for their evaluation and refinement, are essential.

1

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 7h

3. Reinforce an evidence- and rights-based approach — The SDGs and latest international guidance on drug policy and its alignment with rights protections should be prioritised.

1

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 7h

2. Safeguard civil society participation — With authoritarian rule on the rise, the Strategy should show leadership in protecting advocates and affected communities, ensuring participation and accountability mechanisms.

1

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 7h

1. Avoid an overemphasis on supply reduction — Punitive approaches have failed to reduce the drug market and fuel human rights abuses. A balanced approach calls for action plans and resources for all pillars, not just supply reduction.

1

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 7h

🛑 Europe can’t punish its way out of drug problems — IDPC’s 6 asks call on the European Commission to commit to a balanced EU Drug Strategy.

📝 Full contribution: https://f.mtr.cool/qpjmozdixj

🧵

1

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 1d

📢 This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to align global drug policy with UN values — we must make it count!

🔔 Help us share and amplify the letter and the call ahead of the October deadline!

1

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 1d

📘 For detailed recommendations, check out IDPC's report:

Repairing the “machinery”: Recommendations and expectations for the independent review of international drug policy commitments

IDPC lays out key considerations and aspirations for the independent panel established by the CND to review the UN drug control system, highlighting potential pitfalls to avoid to make this review count.

idpc.net

1 1

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 1d

⏳ The deadline for UN nominations to the international drug control expert review panel approaches.

With 182 organisations worldwide, we urge UN Secretary-General António Guterres to appoint #Health & #HumanRights experts.

Share the open letter! 👇👇👇

183 civil society groups urge UN Secretary-General to lead historic global drug policy review with a bold, inclusive and transformative vision

Global civil society groups call on the UN Secretary-General to ensure the independence, credibility and representativeness of the UN review's expert panel, and to champion meaningful, rights-affirming reform.

bit.ly

1 1 1

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 1d

❌ Punitive drug laws continue to fuel human rights violations.

🕊️ Our event at #HRC60 saw states and advocates call for the Council's adoption of a resolution centring human dignity.

WATCH:

Drug policy reform: A powerful tool to prevent serious human rights violations

The event will explore how drug policy reform can prevent serious human rights violations, broaden discussions beyond health, and highlight pathways toward decriminalisation, the abolition of the death penalty, and international cooperation.

f.mtr.cool

1

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 7d

🕯️ Singapore's execution of Datchinamurthy Kataiah, after hours of cruel uncertainty, should enliven calls for a #DeathPenalty moratorium.

@amnesty.org & @adpan.bsky.social:

Singapore: Cruel and unlawful drug-related execution of Malaysian man renews urgency for moratorium on executions

The execution after hours of uncertainty for the victim and his family has reignited international outrage and demands for a moratorium.

f.mtr.cool

2 3

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 7d

📝 The #CNDBlog is following this week’s thematic discussions at the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs.

✍️ Transcripts of the morning & afternoon sessions (Prevention + Treatment & Health Services) are now online!

Follow the debate at:

CND Blog

Live reporting from the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs

f.mtr.cool

1

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 8d

🚨 TOMORROW — CND Thematic Discussions start in Vienna! From health impacts to the coca leaf review, expect debates on growing dissent & ongoing crises — incl. #HarmReduction funding.

📺 Info & webcast:

CND Intersessional meeting - Thematic discussions on the implementation of all international drug policy commitments following up to the 2019 Ministerial Declaration (Autumn 2025)

A CND event to review global drug policy progress, address urgent health challenges, and prepare for 2028 stock-taking and reforms.

f.mtr.cool

2

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 8d

TOMORROW @ the UN CND!

As sweeping aid cuts threaten #HarmReduction at a time of deep need, join this hybrid event demanding renewed financial & political support

More info & online access: https://f.mtr.cool/xbitfcaicb

1 2

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 12d

No trial, no evidence, no due process — in a worrying escalation of the US drug war, Trump ordered alleged smuggling boats destroyed, killing at least 17 people in the Caribbean.

America is blowing up boats and asking questions later

Trump’s drug war playbook looks disturbingly like Duterte’s, the Philippine leader now facing trial for crimes against humanity.

f.mtr.cool

3

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 12d

Dismantling @unaids.org in haste, as affected communities face intensified backlash, indicts the international community’s commitment to ending the epidemic.

UNAIDS PCB NGO Delegation denounces measure:

With the HIV response in crisis, UNAIDS must not be sunset in 2026

The world cannot potentiate struggles to end the pandemic by dismantling the foremost international body coordinating the response.

f.mtr.cool

1 1

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 13d

At the #HRC60 Dialogue with the EMRIP, IDPC and partners highlighted the colonial roots of the UN classification of the coca leaf and called for change.

Decolonising drug policy: Protecting the coca leaf and Indigenous rights – Statement to the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

IDPC and five other organisations called on the UN to correct historic injustices, respect Indigenous perspectives, and address the harmful impacts of current drug policies.

f.mtr.cool

2 2

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 13d

At #HR25, IDPC ED @annfordham.bsky.social reflected on two decades of advocacy for #decriminalisation, from UN wins to ongoing backlash, calling for 'Decrim 2.0' — clearer in goals, deeper in solidarity.

🎥 Watch:

Talks & Events

Share your videos with friends, family and the world

f.mtr.cool

1

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 14d

International law is incompatible with the use of indiscriminate military force.

UN experts urge the US to end lawless ‘narco-terrorism’ war. https://f.mtr.cool/wmrdtgcnkt

Text: International law does not allow governments to simply murder alleged drug traffickers.

Criminal activities should be disrupted, investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the rule of law, including through international cooperation.
US war on “narco-terrorists” violates the right to life, warn UN experts after deadly vessel strike

Statement by UN human rights experts - September 2025

1 3

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 14d

International law is incompatible with the use of indiscriminate military force.

UN experts urge the US to end lawless ‘narco-terrorism’ war. https://f.mtr.cool/ujyiqzvqpk

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 14d

🌿 WHO experts have released their draft review of the coca leaf — noting low toxicity, cultural significance & healing potential. Final recommendations go to the UN CND in March 2026.

👉 More on our dedicated page:

The UN review of the international status of the coca leaf

The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) is a global network of over 192 NGOs that promote objective and open debate on drug policy at national, regional and international level.

f.mtr.cool

3 3

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 15d

NEXT WEEK: #HarmReduction saves lives, yet global funding gaps keep growing. This hybrid side event at the CND will spotlight urgent needs & push for real commitments.

Info & access: https://f.mtr.cool/yathmpfbtj

3 6

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 15d

Historic votes and ‘culture wars’ — the 2025 CND was unlike any before.

Ahead of next week's CND thematic discussions, check our key takeaways in this Proceedings report:

Vienna after consensus: Report of the 68th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs

IDPC highlights the creation of an independent review and deepening divides on harm reduction, human rights, and Indigenous rights.

idpc.net

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) @idpc.net · 16d

ASEAN ministers are meeting this week to discuss the future of the region's drug policies. As #Singapore announced plans to execute more people, the region must change the course of its drug policies. See the civil society submission with recommendations: idpc.net/publications...

2