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Sign the appeal to reform the UN Conventions on Drugs
e-Newsletter on the world campaign for the reform of the UN Conventions on Drugs
#.42 - YEAR II - 26 October 2005
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NEWS FROM THE LIA :
21/10/2005 DRUGS: UNODC TO OPEN OFFICE IN BEIJING, THE DANGEROUS LIAISONS OF PROHIBITIONISTS
Chinese Government Enthusiastic about Future Partnerships, Signs Memorandum of Intent
According to the UN Information Service, on 19 October, the Government of China, represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) which paves the way for the establishment of a UNODC programme in Beijing. UNODC Director Antonio Maria Costa and MFA Assistant Minister Shen Guofang also discussed possible strategies to further reduce the impact of illicit drugs in the region. Both officials agreed that a balanced approach, focusing on both prevention and control, is critical in the campaign to eliminate drugs and crime.
In a UNIS press release, Mr. Costa was quoted as saying "This MOI is tangible evidence that the Chinese Government is both serious and forward-looking regarding the drug and crime problems it faces. China recognizes the need for international cooperation to counter non-traditional security threats -- drug production and trafficking in particular." adding also that "China is taking the lead, meeting these threats head-on, and in many cases, stopping drugs even before they cross that nation's borders. The Government is also sharing best practices in drug control with its neighbours -- exactly the kind of outreach we need to see in Asia right now."
Marco Perduca, Executive Director of the International Antiprohibitionist League and UN Representative for the Transnational Radical Party commented on the UNODC-China agreement rimind how ?until 2004 China used to execute people in public on the occasion of the 'celebrations' of the International Day Against Drugs- if sure a head-on response, killing traffickers, and 'addicts' is not necessarily the most humanitarian among the best practices available in the field of 'drug control'?.
The new Programme Office, set to open in 2006, will focus initially on the threat of HIV/AIDS, which is spreading via injecting drug use, and, in some cases, through a lack of awareness regarding sexual transmission. The UNODC Office in Beijing will also target the fast expanding trafficking and consumption of amphetamines, control of precursor chemicals, illicit manufacture and trafficking in drugs, as well as drug prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.
Mr. Perduca, who recently participated in a conference on drug policies in Tiblisi, was also particularly skeptical on the type of forward looking commitment that an autoritarian country like China could ensure on issues such as HIV/AIDS; ?in fact,? steted IAL Director ?just like her avian flu cases a couple of years ago, China has been in denial both on its AIDS crisis - which originated from the selling of blood by desperatly poor peasants kept in the dark about the existance of the virus and not because of intravenous drug injection - and the issue of narcotics consumption. Knowing too well how the Chinese Government operates to 'control' the activities of the Chinese people, we can only expect hundreds of new little and silent tienammens around the country sanctioned by the agreementy with UNODC for the sake of ridding China of evil substances. This is certainly not what UN Agenci
es should be about?.
After the announced Mr. Costa also said "China's enthusiastic welcome for a new UNODC Programme Office in Beijing holds great promise for our partnership against illegal drugs. UNODC can advise nations committed to countering drugs, and offer technical assistance, but we cannot do it alone," adding that "there's an old saying, 'actions speak louder than words,' and China's willingness to take this very important step bodes well for everyone involved. UNODC looks forward to working with the Chinese Government, to turning plans into progress, and to getting the new Office in Beijing up and running as quickly as possible."
?Would the noise of police raids and the scream of tortured suspected Chinese 'drug traffickers' or 'users' be loud enough for Mr. Costa?? concluded Mr. Perduca.
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ITALY
Giulio Manfredi of the Comitato Nazionale Radicali Italiani: Lapo Elkann?s case, just one more of the endless and needless products of prohibitionism, should prompt reflection. As the law now stands, as a user he is subject only to minor sanctions, but if the Lex Fini passes he would be considered a pusher on the basis of the quantity which he as admitted to owning.
NEWS FROM THE WORLD
IrelandOn-Line
18-10-2005
EUROPEAN UNION / IRISH REPUBLIC
NEW IDEAS
The Health Department is about to launch the country?s first anti-cannabis campaign. Radio announcements and posters will warn youths about the dangers and seek to dispel the notion that use is harmless.
Join Togheter
18-10-2005
NORTH AMERICA / USA ? Colorado
STUDIES
?Nicotine causes cancer, but the THC in cannabis could protect smokers from absorbing carcinogens agents in marijuana smoke ?? thus Robert Melamede, author of a University of Colorado research project.
Xinua
17-10-2005
CHINA
NEW IDEAS
The general population and several business firms have become engaged in anti-drug campaigns in seven major cities. Zhang Xinfeng, vice director of the National Anti-Narcotic Commission and vice-minister of Public Security that in some venues, especially karaoke bars, there has been an increase in the use of methamphetamines.
Financial Times
18-10-2005
NORTH AMERICA / UNITED STATES
PRODUCTION
Oil-rig workers in Texas, Colorado, Louisiana and elsewhere who had been caught making and using methamphetamines were fired on the spot. They had caused, it was said, slow-ups in production and therefore increases in petroleum and fuel prices.
Canada.com
17-10-2005
NORTH AMERICA / CANADA ? Toronto
PUBLIC HEALTH'
If a pending proposal will be approved, Toronto would become Canada?s second major city to pass out free clean syringes and to set aside public venues for addicts. Proposed anti-drug policies are to be based on the four principles of Prevention, Damage Reduction, Therapy and Law Enforcement. The city council will debate and vote between the 5th and 9th of December.
Ansa; Corriere della sera
17-10-2005
EUROPEAN UNION / ITALY
PUBLIC HEALTH
In Milan, the person responsible for the conduct of an Onlus that runs a nursing home has been charged with procuring joints of cannabis for a severely ill cancer victim in an effort to relieve his/her suffering. ?To forbid the therapeutic use of hashish is cruelty? says MP Paulo Cento of the Green Party. ?Don?t our Carabinieri and anti-drug squads have anything more urgent to attend to?? asks Radicali Euro-MP Dr.Vittorio Agnoletto, M.D.
Abc
17-10-2005
OCEANIA / AUSTRALIA ? New South Wales
CONSUMPTION
Public Health minister John Hatzistergos says that the reduction in drug use is to be credited to the government. Since 1999, heroin use is down by fifty-five per cent, and there is a down-trend in cocaine, cannabis and speed use. But the upsurge of ecstasy is worrisome.
Ansa
15-10-2005
EUROPEAN UNION / UNITED KINGDOM
CURIOSITY
Tory leadership candidate, the thirty-nine-year-old David Cameron, won?t talk about his past use of drugs, thus increasing journalists? pique. As an MP ha voted in favour of softening out-of-date drug laws and has proposed the legalisation of diamorphine ?? the medical term for heroin ?? by prescription for addicts to help them ?stabilise? their needs and kick the habit
Join Together
14-10-2005
NORTH AMERICA / USA ? New Jersey
THERAPEUTIC MARIJUANA
All gubernatorial candidates favour therapeutic administration of marijuana. ?When faced with certain realities we must offer every possible medical means? says Republican Doug Forrester, and his Democratic opponent Jon Corzine echoes it with ?We must do all we can in aid of the sufferers?.
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Editor in Chief: Marco Perduca
Director: Vincenzo Donvito
Layout & Distribution: C.E.D. Roma
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