Between July 7 - 9 this year, NGO's from around the world, representing nine regions, met in Vienna for a forum on drug policy and related harms. Their purpose was to meet two resolutions passed at the UNGASS on Drug Control in 1998. Simply put, NGO's were to review the past ten years of drug policy and advise on the future.

The Vienna NGO Committee on Narcotic Drugs notes in it's 'background' [to the forum]; Apart from the Member States' commitments and pledges adopted on June 10, 1998; the General Assembly, directly or indirectly, called upon NGOs to work closely with governments and others in assessing the drug problem, identifying viable solutions and implementing appropriate policies and programmes.

On July 9, 2008 all participants adopted the "Beyond 2008 Declaration" which is available in 11 page PDF format here. The text of the final declaration will be presented in March 2009, at the next high level segment of The Commission on Narcotic Drugs. As one would expect there was resistance to Harm Reduction, Harm Minimisation and agitation for tougher measures, erosion of rights and a continuance of 'war on drugs' ideology. Thankfully, this was the minority. As we hear in this podcast, the 'official' Nth. American delegation exercised their typical bullying tactics to prevent open reporting - previously permitted by the organisers - and by day two, succeeding.

The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union suggest June Sivilli of the White House Drug Office - the ONDCP - advised the hard-line delegates and prevented their previously authorised filming of the plenary. The "pro-drug" nature of discourse was concerning it appears. On the other hand, as Sanho Tree from the US Institute of Policy Studies notes, the USA would have previously been able to prevent much of the forum process and transperancy from even being realised.

From Stop The Drug War.org:

"Of the nine regions of the world, only North America sent two delegations. The first, which had met in St. Petersburg, Florida, in January, deliberately excluding harm reduction and drug reform groups, was the "official" delegation, representing hard-line prohibitionist organizations aligned with the Office of National Drug Control Policy, such as the Drug-Free America Foundation and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), the California Narcotics Officers Association, and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals."

"The second North American grouping, which had held its regional meeting in Vancouver in February, included dozens of organizations in drug reform and harm reduction, as well as treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation groups. Among the organizations from the Vancouver meeting that went to Vienna were the ACLU Drug Law Policy Project, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, Virginians Against Drug Violence, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, the Harm Reduction Coalition, Break The Chains, and the Institute for Policy Studies."

They also succeeded to alienate many delegates and NGO representatives, as we hear in audio from Vienna in this episode. As did Drug Free Australia's Gary Christian speaking for the Taskforce on Strategic Drug Policy. Seizing the final moment to claim the process had been less democratic than would suit his need to overlook human rights for the greater good of zero tolerance, Mr. Christian has loudly proclaimed his tactic for ignoring the Resolutions: the process was flawed and undemocratic. Ergo; why respect the need for increased harm reduction? The entire charade embarrassed and outraged the Australian and NZ contingent, and was noted by Committee Chair Michael Perron as a "final potential disaster".

He also complained about the selection process which is proved to be a false concern on page 42 of the Australian and NZ report. Overwhelmingly, the call for increased harm reduction, input from drug users, NGO's and policy regulators went out and is reflected in all nine regions, not least by a long shot, the Aussie/NZ contingent. The selection process involved consultation with two members of the ANCD. Perhaps reflecting two ideologies, or anticipated arguments? Drug Free Australia Executive Officer, Jo Baxter is on the ANCD board. I'd say the selection process was entirely fair and representative. Mr. Christian is intent to prove himself an ongoing thorn in the side of human rights for drug using communities.

The Transnational Institute published their review under, Beyond 2008 - A truly remarkable event. They did not miss the significance of an overwhelming rejection of prohibitions harms. After all, the issue we had to agree existed was simple, self evident and radical, all at once: prohibition is a failure which harms our communities and innocent human beings, more than the drugs we prohibit. No candy for guessing that ideological differences elicit fierce debate or that legislation reflects the aims of elites at the time. That's how we got in this mess. That's why some elite institutions blame "drug industry elites" for present problems and conspiracy to seize control. Politically, there's an entire imperative in the semantics alone.

The candy goes to pragmatism, and I think T.I. chose the word "remarkable", well. Drug Policy is an area that makes Western democratic disputes over religion and politics seem cosy. The struggle of minorities is a human rights issue. The clash between criminality and health is a moral crisis for many, and for disparate reasons. So I was interested that they noted,

Also;

Nonetheless. This was a hugely significant achievement. Danny Kushlick, of Transform UK, proffered the impending end of prohibition at 2015 - 2018. "2009 will pass with no change", he wisely reminds us. According to the United Nations Information Service, in Civil Society Gives a Voice to Those Most Effected;

"Three key themes have emerged from the deliberations:

Shared responsibility and accountability. Governments, at all levels, need to leverage the experience, reach, professionalism and passion of NGOs. In the past five years NGOs have become more focused, disciplined, inter-connected and organized around how to take on this global problem. NGOs are well placed to contribute - but only if their experience, reach, impact and commitment is engaged. As Eva Tongue, Chairperson of the Vienna NGO Committee on Narcotic Drugs commented in her opening remarks "Money alone is not enough. Governments need to recognize that the fieldwork done by the NGOs is fundamental to success in all aspects of this matter."

Giving the most affected a voice. This is an issue that has to be addressed at the human level. The Declaration and Resolutions represent many different voices - individuals, families, and communities - from around the globe. This voice needs to be heard because it brings a fundamental understanding on how to achieve demonstrable progress to reduce illicit/harmful drug use and its adverse health, social and economic consequences.

Beyond 2008 Forum has created a call for action. The Declaration and Resolutions are just the start. It is a commitment by all of the participants to build on what was achieved here in Vienna as they return to their work and engage with their governments.

The Declaration and Resolutions coming from the Beyond 2008 Forum has a created clear consensus from NGOs. In his closing remarks to delegates, Mr. Perron said: "As we go back to our communities and responsibilities let us go knowing that our commitment to consensus over the past three days has created the opportunity for civil society to have a substantive voice here in Vienna."

This episode Firesnake looks at the forum process and controversies therein. We check out documents highlighting the most common themes and hear from attendees who express concern at "the bullying" of anti-Harm Reduction or Drug War proponents. We hear of hopes before the forum and the welcome outcome despite lively debate, covert tactics to sabotage harm reduction and the obvious attempts by the USA to continue the illusion it's sustainable war, is working.

The unfortunate failure to get drug users themselves as contributers to the final resolution text, is balanced by the fact drug user organisations now have a place at the table and can only advance human rights from there. Thanks to all below who attended and gave up their time to be interviewed on their own view of proceedings.

Special acknowledgement to Hungarian Civil Liberties Union.

Danny Kushlick, Transform UK.
Martin Jelsma; Transnational Institute, The Nethlerlands.
Kristopher Krane; Students for sensible drug policy, USA.
Alan Clear; Harm Reduction Coalition, USA.
Andrea Efthimiou-Mordaunt; International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS - John Mordant Trust, UK.
Elias El Araaj; Soins Infirmiers et Development Communautaire, Lebanon.
Monica Luppi; San Patrignanno Foundation, Italy.
Geoffrey Evans Drug Free Schools Coalition, USA.
Caitlin Padgett; Youth Rise: International network for reducing drug related harm.
Ahmed Al-Shatti; Kuwait National Anti Narcotic Drug Committee, Kuwait.
Tripti Tandon; Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit, India.
Lennice Werth; Virginians Against Drug Violence.
Michael Perron; Chair - NGO Committee on Narcotic Drugs, Vienna and Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.
Walter Cavalieri; Canadian Harm Reduction Network.
Sanho Tree; Institute for Policy Studies, USA.
Mike Trace; International Drug Policy Consortium, UK.

All articles touched on are here.

Music thanks to Garageband.

Gags.
49 min.
15 MB.