'Aid for the war on drugs' - Report launch

We are pleased to invite you to the online launch of Harm Reduction International’s new report, ‘Aid for the War on Drugs’, a first-of-its-kind report which investigates the use of official development assistance (ODA) budgets for punitive drug law enforcement around the world. The report is part of our Divest/Invest campaign, calling on governments and donors to divest from the unjust drug war, and invest in programmes which prioritise health, community and justice.

The webinar will be held on Tuesday, 12 September 2023 at 1PM British Summer Time (GMT+1).

Register for the event here.

About the Divest/Invest campaign

Over USD 100 billion is spent on drug law enforcement each year, but at last count investment in harm reduction totalled USD 131 million - merely 5% of the estimated resource need in low- and middle-income countries. Decades of punitive drug laws have not decreased drug use or sales. Instead, they have resulted in human rights violations, increased incidence of HIV and viral hepatitis, and loss of life. These laws stigmatise and criminalise people, particularly those from marginalised communities, and uphold racist and colonial structures resulting in poor health for people and communities.

Harm Reduction International has been tracking the funding of harm reduction services and calling for a redirection of funding from punitive drug control towards life-saving, cost-effective and rights-based programmes. When we divest from the drug war, we free up essential funds to invest in solutions that prioritise health, community, and justice (in harm reduction and beyond).