What makes for a ‘good’ drugs policy?
by Brigid Pike
In recent months a slew of documents outlining what makes for a ‘good’ drugs policy have appeared. Two sets of guidelines have emanated from the NGO sector, at EU and international level, and two from governmental sources – the Council of Europe and the US government. A study of the principles and criteria as summarised in the table below highlights the differing perspectives and priorities of the different entities.
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Southern Regional Drugs Task Force stresses ‘humanistic’ approach
by Brigid Pike
As well as reporting on drug use in counties Cork and Kerry during 2011 and detailing the projects funded, together with the outputs and outcomes, the co-ordinator and chair of the Southern Regional Drugs Task Force (SRDTF) have used their 2011 annual report as a vehicle for setting out their vision of how the individual should be at the centre of a task force’s responses to the illicit drugs problem.1
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Report of Alcohol Action Ireland conference ‘Time Please… For Change’
by Deirdre Mongan
Alcohol Action Ireland’s conference, ‘Time Please… For Change’, held on 1 November brought together a number of expert national and international speakers examining key initiatives that could make a difference to Ireland’s harmful relationship with alcohol.
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Alcohol: increasing price can reduce harm and contribute to revenue collection
by Deirdre Mongan
Alcohol is price sensitive – increasing the cost of alcohol reduces its consumption and decreasing the cost of alcohol increases its consumption. Price is therefore often used as a policy lever to reduce alcohol consumption and its related health and social harms. The two main pricing mechanisms that can be used to reduce consumption are taxation and minimum pricing.
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