E1 - The War on Drugs

Medact

A prohibitionist approach to global drug policy, broadly known as the ‘War on Drugs’, has dominated since the mid-20th Century, seeking to prevent the production, trafficking and use of illicit drugs. These policies have failed to achieve their goals whilst fuelling violence and conflict, undermining stability and economic development, destroying livelihoods and preventing access to healthcare and essential medicines. This session examines the creation of a ‘War on Drugs’ through the securitisation and militarisation of drug policy; the scale of violence and damage associated with the ‘War on Drugs’ and its impacts for the most marginalised communities; and potential alternatives and important advocacy opportunities in 2016. SPEAKERS: Martin Drewry (Director, Health Poverty Action), Danny Kushlick (Director, Transform Drug Policy Foundation) and Jamie Bridge (Senior Policy and Operations Manager, International Drug Policy Consortium). Chaired by Natasha Horsfield (Advocacy Officer, Health Poverty Action).