Transcript Slides - AIDS 2016 conference programme

Harm reduction:
decriminalising drug use in Asia
Ann Fordham
Executive Director
20th July 2016
AIDS 2016, Durban
• A global network of 150+ diverse organisations & networks
from over 60 countries
• Promoting objective and open debate in drug policy
• Building civil society capacity for advocacy
HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs compared
to the general population in countries reporting >30 000
people who inject drugs, 2009–2013
Source: Global AIDS Response Progress Reporting 2014
HIV prevalence rates amongst people who
inject drugs in Asia
Country
Numbers of people who inject drugs (estimate)
Adult HIV prevalence amongst people who inject
drugs (%)
Philippines
14,000
44.9
Indonesia
74,326
36.4
Pakistan
104,848
27.2
Cambodia
1,300
24.8
Myanmar
83,000
23.1
Thailand
40,300
19
Malaysia
170,000
16.6 (male)
Vietnam
271,506
10.5 (male)
India
177,000
7.2
Nepal
52,174
6.3 (male)
China
2,170,000
6
Afghanistan
36,000
4.4 (male)
Singapore
10,000 – 20,000
1.5
Bangladesh
23,800
1.1
Sri Lanka
423
0
Source: data drawn from UNAIDS AIDS data hub
“Addicted to punishment”
• Forced urine testing
• Compulsory registration with security agencies
• Corporal punishment, eg. caning, flogging or
whipping
• Forced rehabilitation in compulsory detention
centres for up to 3 years
International Narcotics Control Board,
2015
[A]ccording to the Conventions, drug related criminal
offences, including those involving the possession,
purchase or cultivation of illicit drugs when committed
by drug users, do not automatically require the
imposition of conviction and punishment.
“Declare that people
who use drugs
should receive
support, treatment
and protection,
rather than be
punished.”
From the USA’s contribution to
UNGASS outcome document
UNGASS Outcome Document
“Encourage the development, adoption and
implementation, with due regard to national,
constitutional, legal and administrative systems, of
alternative or additional measures with regard to
conviction or punishment in cases of an appropriate
nature, in accordance with the three international drug
control conventions and taking into account, as
appropriate, relevant United Nations standards and
rules, such as the United Nations Standard Minimum
Rules for Non-Custodial Measures (the Tokyo Rules)”
Decriminalisation of drug use
The removal or non-enforcement of [criminal]
penalties for drug use, and for the possession
of drugs, possession of drug use equipment
and cultivation of drugs for the purpose of
personal consumption. Decriminalisation may
involve the removal of all penalties.
Best practice
in decriminalisation of drug use
 The law is changed to remove all penalties for drug
use, possession or cultivation of drugs for personal
use, or possession of drug use equipment
 Resources allocated to ensure evidence-based
health, harm reduction and support services are
available and accessible
Diversion
 Measures that provide alternatives to criminal
sanctions or incarceration for people who are
arrested for drug use or drug-related offences,
particularly minor, non-violent offences.
 At police, prosecutor or judicial decision-making
stage.
Police Diversion: Yuxi, China
 Police referral to community-based treatment centre
 No arrests for minor drug possession or use in
immediate vicinity, and police training
 Goals to improve health, decrease re-incarceration,
increase removal from government surveillance system,
strengthen social and familial support, and improve
reintegration
 Clients have access to comprehensive psychosocial
and healthcare services, including methadone.
Decriminalisation: other issues
 Appropriate use of threshold quantities
 Adequate availability of health and harm
reduction services
 Engagement of health, legal aid and
community workers
Thank you!
www.idpc.net
[email protected]
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