1. Harm reduction: decriminalising drug use in Asia
Ann Fordham
Executive Director
20th July 2016
AIDS 2016, Durban

2. A global network of 150+ diverse organisations & networks from over 60 countries
Promoting objective and open debate in drug policy
Building civil society capacity for advocacy

3. HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs compared to the general population in countries reporting > people who inject drugs, 2009–2013
Source: Global AIDS Response Progress Reporting 2014

4. HIV prevalence rates amongst people who inject drugs in Asia
Country
Numbers of people who inject drugs (estimate)
Adult HIV prevalence amongst people who inject drugs (%)
Philippines
14,000
44.9
Indonesia
74,326
36.4
Pakistan
104,848
27.2
Cambodia
1,300
24.8
Myanmar
83,000
23.1
Thailand
40,300 19
Malaysia
170,000
16.6 (male)
Vietnam
271,506
10.5 (male)
India
177,000
7.2
Nepal
52,174
6.3 (male)
China
2,170,000 6
Afghanistan
36,000
4.4 (male)
Singapore
10,000 – 20,000
1.5
Bangladesh
23,800
1.1
Sri Lanka
423
From Decrim in Asia report, page. 10 – data drawn from UNAIDS AIDS data hub
Source: data drawn from UNAIDS AIDS data hub

8. “Addicted to punishment”
Forced urine testing
Compulsory registration with security agencies
Corporal punishment, eg. caning, flogging or whipping
Forced rehabilitation in compulsory detention centres for up to 3 years

9. International Narcotics Control Board, 2015
[A]ccording to the Conventions, drug related criminal offences, including those involving the possession, purchase or cultivation of illicit drugs when committed by drug users, do not automatically require the imposition of conviction and punishment.

10. “Declare that people who use drugs should receive support, treatment and protection, rather than be punished.”
From the USA’s contribution to UNGASS outcome document

11. UNGASS Outcome Document
“Encourage the development, adoption and implementation, with due regard to national, constitutional, legal and administrative systems, of alternative or additional measures with regard to conviction or punishment in cases of an appropriate nature, in accordance with the three international drug control conventions and taking into account, as appropriate, relevant United Nations standards and rules, such as the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Non-Custodial Measures (the Tokyo Rules)”

12. Decriminalisation of drug use
The removal or non-enforcement of [criminal] penalties for drug use, and for the possession of drugs, possession of drug use equipment and cultivation of drugs for the purpose of personal consumption. Decriminalisation may involve the removal of all penalties.

13. in decriminalisation of drug use
Best practice
in decriminalisation of drug use
The law is changed to remove all penalties for drug use, possession or cultivation of drugs for personal use, or possession of drug use equipment
Resources allocated to ensure evidence-based health, harm reduction and support services are available and accessible

14. Diversion
Measures that provide alternatives to criminal sanctions or incarceration for people who are arrested for drug use or drug-related offences, particularly minor, non-violent offences.
At police, prosecutor or judicial decision-making stage.

15. Police Diversion: Yuxi, China
Police referral to community-based treatment centre
No arrests for minor drug possession or use in immediate vicinity, and police training
Goals to improve health, decrease re-incarceration, increase removal from government surveillance system, strengthen social and familial support, and improve reintegration
Clients have access to comprehensive psychosocial and healthcare services, including methadone.

16. Decriminalisation: other issues
Appropriate use of threshold quantities
Adequate availability of health and harm reduction services
Engagement of health, legal aid and community workers

17. Thank you!
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