When treatment is a form of torture and not based on evidence, is it treatment or a trap? We should question the effectiveness of the so-called ‘health-based’ approach when it fails to foster the wellbeing of people who use drugs. inez of NoBox Philippines #CND67 side event

Impressive from the senator Very poor (as ever) from those who attempt to justify - from a health perspective - the benefits of arresting a person with drug related problems Evidence came there none

In her fourth report to the Human Rights Council, Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health, focused on drug use, harm reduction and the right to health. UN Human Rights ohchr.org/en/press-relea….

This UNODC message is illogical. Prevention ignores the complexity and context of s/use and the diverse realities of drug use. Instead, we should invest in support systems that address the real issues and the factors that lead to adverse outcomes. #WorldDrugDay #SupportDontPunish

UN calls Marcos govt a "paradigm shift," consistent with the drastic change from Duterte's hostility towards international community. Under Marcos, PNP scrapped TokHang circular and replaced it with ADORE. But ADORE still has Tokhang like language like "extraction of info"

"This conversation is thousands of lives overdue," says Cathy Alvarez, human rights lawyer from streetlawPH. Alvarez says that this "pivot" must stop killings: "Not today, not tomorrow. Never again."

"People use drugs. That is a fundamental truth we must accept. And they lead normal lives. They help their families. They do not need treatment, and certainly do not deserve areest." - Inez Feria, a harm reduction advocate from NoBox Philippines

"Let's stop saying 'laban sa droga.' This is no fight. There are no enemies. Drugs are inanimate objects. We are talking about lives who have been disrupted because they continue to be called to programs." - Feria

Real talk about the Philippines drug situation from inez Feria of NoBox Philippines Philippines. Watch it here: facebook.com/uplawofficial/… #PHDrugPolicySummit2004

VIDEO: At 2:22:57, inez Feria of NoBox Philippines lays out the "drug problem" in the Philippines and why authorities have been going about "solving" it the wrong way -- with catastrophic consequences for drug users and their human rights. Most people who use drugs, Inez points out,

Carlos H. Conde 🇵🇭 inez NoBox Philippines Yes these are facts, and it's a good time to address these questions in the right spirit, with reflection and understanding. Thank you for sharing.

The indefatigable inez spitting facts

Cc DILG Philippines Department of Justice (DOJ) Presidential Communications Office so the next time we talk about drug policy we can all have an honest conversation if there are still killings. You have all the resources to validate. It's been three years.

OHCHR’s Zaved Mahmood emphasizes the need for functioningnaccountability mechanisms, particularly domestic and internal ones, as the Philippines grapples with the effects of the murderous #drugwar. #PHDrugPolicySummit2024

Until the Philippine government embraces the complete story and truth of the drug response, past and present, claims of being 'rights-based' will be lip service, a PR tactic, and will continue to inflict harm and trauma, an injustice to us all!

Our drug law and policies are what have inflicted the most harm on our people. To move forward with envisioned reform, we must acknowledge and confront this reality. #PHDrugPolicyReform #SupportDontPunish

Advocates who worked hard for the UN-led drug policy summit may have been misled. Why was there no mention of it in SONA? What lands a mention is a false claim that his anti-drug campaign has been bloodless. It has not. 700 dead since Marcos became president accdg to Dahas Project

As Marcos, Jr. himself quoted: Let not anyone pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion…He is not a good man who, without a protest, allows wrong to be committed in his name…” His silence on these speaks volumes.

.Rappler Wait! What if this was preventable? What if we knew how to spot & respond to overdose? Felt safe getting help? Had real, honest info on health risks? These are basic w/ Harm Reduction. When left out of our laws & drug educ, it's our system that puts lives at risk!

After a hiatus I’m back to newslettering open.substack.com/pub/zachsiegel…