From the Philippines to Indonesia and Afghanistan, Asia’s brutal drug policies have failed
Ten years of heavy-handed drug policy has not lowered use but it has increased the misery for addicts and for those who enter the trade out of economic necessity. It’s time for a new strategy
South China Morning Post (China)
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
The so-called “war on drugs” has persisted without an honest assessment by governments of its effectiveness, nor its impacts, despite UN reports showing ever-increasing drug markets year on year, as well as many harmful consequences. In a report on the past decade of drug policy in Asia, the International Drug Policy Consortium presents a comprehensive assessment that portrays a grim reality. In the face of this damning report card, it is not surprising that governments are reluctant to evaluate whether progress has been made. This March, at the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, it will be a serious neglect of duty if Asian governments do not openly acknowledge that violent law enforcement strategies and harsh punishments have failed.
tags:
