Press briefing on drug policy

In October 2011 KAC organised a press briefing on recessions and drugs, and drug policy developments in Europe.

Leading international figures in the drugs, alcohol and public health fields gathered in London to address the media on the scientific findings of new research on the impact of economic recessions on drug supply, drug and alcohol use and the consequences of abuse, published by the International Journal of Drug Policy on October 19.

Chair: Dr David Wilson, Director, HIV/AIDS Program, World Bank

Speakers:

Dr João Castel-Branco Goulão, Portuguese National Drugs Coordinator, Chairman of the Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction – The social and public health benefits of 10 years of drug decriminalisation in Portugal

Dr Rosalie Liccardo Pacula, Co-director, RAND Drug Policy Research Center; Senior Economist, Substance Use and Recessions: Insights from economic analyses of alcohol and how drug use differs

Dr Claudia Costa-Storti, Scientific Analyst, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, What are the main consequences of the recession for drug use?

Roger Howard, CEO, UK Drug Policy Commission, Drug policy in the UK – A Way Forward

Media coverage included:

ABC  Australia current affairs radio - Rosalie Pacula:http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2011/s3343990.htm

BBC Today, Radio 4 - Dr João Goulão: http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9619000/9619577.stm

BBC World Service - World Update - Dr João Goulão: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p00krvrg

BBC World Service Face book page: http://www.facebook.com/bbcworldservice/posts/290841430934990

New Scientist: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21228353.800-drug-addicts-switch-to-inject-in-economic-decline.html

Drink and Drug News: http://www.drinkanddrugsnews.com/magazine/b15b386b3fee40708ae2d279b01cea6c.pdf