Drug

A Review of the Global Commission on Drug Policy's Second Report
By Leilani Attilio, R.N./B.S.N.

Aggressive drug law enforcement practices have been counterproductive and created a smoke in mirrors effect on apparent “successes” such as increased drug seizures, arrests, and criminal convictions. However, the “war on drugs” has not only diverted funding from public health programs, but also facilitated the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic among people who use drugs and the community. A new report published by the Global Commission on Drug Policy outlines several pitfalls on international and U.S. domestic policies on drug use that has ultimately led to millions of new HIV infections and AIDS deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 25% of new HIV/AIDS cases are due to sharing of needles and syringes and is the second leading cause of HIV/AIDS.

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition Law Enforcement Safety Training Program

The relationship between law enforcement and drug users is not always positive, but fortunately, that doesn’t have to be the case. The North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC) is working to bring drug users and law enforcement together by educating both groups on public health initiatives to protect each other from blood borne disease such as hepatitis C and HIV.

WHAT WOULD SYRINGE DECRIMINALIZATION DO?

New North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC) Video Series Promotes Harm Reduction and Drug Policy Reform in the South

If you have not seen them already, check out the NCHRC video series on the need for harm reduction and drug policy reform in the South.
You can connect to them via the following link:
http://vimeo.com/user6734193/videos
The videos feature veterans, law enforcement members, sex worker rights advocates, Democratic and Republican Legislators and syringe decriminalization advocates discussing the need for harm reduction in the South.
The series was produced by the awesome harm reduction videographer Hadley Gustafson.

North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC) is North Carolina’s only comprehensive harm reduction program. NCHRC engages in grassroots advocacy, resource development, coalition building and direct services for law enforcement and those made vulnerable by drug use, sex work, overdose, immigration status, gender, STIs, HIV and hepatitis.

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Issue Spotlight: Syringe Access in Western North Carolina

Written by NCHRC Staff Writer Tessie Castillo