In advance of the UNGASS, the Open Society Foundations has produced this video to encourage people to think more about their drug policies. This video stresses that each country has different contexts and different needs. In South Africa we have to critically examine our drug policies and recognise that we need to make changes if we want different results. Watch the video and let us know what you think.

UNAIDS has released a very progressive reference document ahead of the UNGASS2016. Entitled "A public health and rights approach to drugs", the document lists five policy recommendations and ten operational recommendations. The wording avoids the usual dichotomous thinking by saying that people should be treated with "support and care, rather than punishment." It also calls for the adaption of laws "to ensure that people who use drugs do not face punitive sanctions.." thereby avoiding the word "decriminalisation" while clearly supporting such initiatives. You can download the PDF of the document below.