UN bid to decriminalise use and possession of all drugs is foiled (continues)

[Chip (OP)]

source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3279366/UN-calls-decriminalisation-drugs-Richard-Branson-says-seen-unreleased-document-end-needless-criminalisation-millions.html

UN bid to decriminalise use and possession of all drugs is foiled after at least one country blocks the radical move

• Tycoon claims to have seen document from UN Office on Drugs and Crime
• He said it calls on governments around world to decriminalise drug use
• Sir Richard said policy shift could 'end the needless criminalisation of millions of drug users'
• But the call has been withdrawn after pressure from at least one country

According to a statement released by the UNODC the document was 'neither final nor formal', but it added that the topic is still under review.
The statement continued: 'There has been an unfortunate misunderstanding about the nature and intent of this briefing paper.'
It added, however, that the office is still investigating an alternative to a jail sentence in cases of drug use.
Sir Richard, who sits on the Global Commission on Drug Policy, revealed in a blog that he had seen a copy of an unreleased document from the agency, describing its contents as 'refreshing'.
He wrote: 'In an as-yet unreleased statement... the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, which has shaped much of global drug policy for decades, call on governments around the world to decriminalise drug use and possession for personal consumption for all drugs.
'This is a refreshing shift that could go a long way to finally end the needless criminalisation of millions of drug users around the world.
'My colleagues on the Global Commission on Drug Policy and I could not be more delighted. 

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Richard Branson speaks during the official unveiling of The Elders 18 July 2007 in Johannesburg by Nelson Mandela on his 89th birthday . The Elders is a brains trust of elder statesmen such as ex-US president Jimmy Carter and former UN chief Kofi Annan ,former Chinese foreign minister Li Zhaoxing, former Irish president Mary Robinson and Bangladeshi Nobel prize winner Muhammad Yunus. Mandela said "Together we will work to support courage where there is fear, foster agreement where there is conflict and inspire hope where there is despair."

The Virgin boss claims the 'shift' in policy from the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime would  'end the needless criminalisation of millions of drug users'. But at least one country has blocked the radical move (file picture)

Sir Richard Branson revealed details of the document on an online blog as well as telling his Twitter followers.

'Together with countless other tireless advocates, I've for years argued that we should treat drug use as a health issue, not as a crime.
'While the vast majority of recreational drug users never experience any problems, people who struggle with drug addiction deserve access to treatment, not a prison cell.'
The 65-year-old tycoon said it was 'exciting' that UNODC had now 'unequivocally stated that criminalisation is harmful, unnecessary and disproportionate'.
He said that countries like Portugal where decriminalisation had been tried had seen a 'significant reduction in drug-related deaths.
 People who struggle with drug addiction deserve access to treatment, not a prison cell
'I hope this groundbreaking news will empower and embolden governments everywhere, including the UK, to do the right thing and consider a different course in drug policy,' he added.
In an update, after it was confirmed that the call would not go ahead, the tycoon added: ‘Drugs should be treated as a health issue. My great hope is that today’s actions bring that day a little bit closer to reality, so that the millions who continue to be harmed by current policies can be helped instead.’ 
According to the Daily Telegraph the billionaire businessman said that the document had originally been earmarked for release on Sunday at the International Harm Reduction conference in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
But without naming the nation involved, he said that 'at least one government is putting an inordinate amount of pressure on the UNODC.'
Ending his statement, Sir Richard called for an end to the war on drugs adding that it 'has done too much damage to too many people already.'
A UNODC spokesman described the paper as ‘neither a final nor formal document from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and cannot be read as a statement of UNODC policy’.
The statement added: ‘It remains under review and UNODC regrets that, on this occasion, there has been an unfortunate misunderstanding about the nature and intent of this briefing paper.
‘UNODC emphatically denies reports that there has been pressure on UNODC to withdraw the document. But, it is not possible to withdraw what is not yet ready.
‘Overall, UNODC remains committed to the balanced approach that, in particular, promotes alternatives to incarceration in line with international human rights standards.’
 
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3279366/UN-calls-decriminalisation-drugs-Richard-Branson-says-seen-

[nick]

Honest Nick's book on who shut this down.

Evens-Japan or Russia.

2-1 Sweden.

3-1 China.

5-1 USA.

100-1 Faroe islands.

[dizzle]

I'll put $50 on USA


They have FAR FAR too much to lose if drugs were decriminalized.

Though japan and russia have a tough stance and are very anti-drugs, I think it's all about the $$, the US has been bringing the dope into the country for 30 years, selling it, and then making money off imprisioning the people they sell it to, and then the people that use it. We'd be the LAST country that would want to try decriminalization.

[Mr.pooper]

I'll put $50 on USA


They have FAR FAR too much to lose if drugs were decriminalized.

Though japan and russia have a tough stance and are very anti-drugs, I think it's all about the $$, the US has been bringing the dope into the country for 30 years, selling it, and then making money off imprisioning the people they sell it to, and then the people that use it. We'd be the LAST country that would want to try decriminalization.

I concur. The US controls it's citizens via powers obtained by "the war on drugs". Really just a clever way of saying "the war on you".

Everyone I know has a felony. I wonder what jobs/living will be like in a few decades when almost every American has a criminal record due to the police state.

[Z]

They aren't talking about ending the war on drugs.  They are talking about shifting from a war on drug users to a war on drug suppliers. 

My criticism to this is similar to my criticism of Portugal: they don't go far enough.  It is definitely exciting that this is even being considered though.