Research on International Drugs Policy

The United Nations Drug Conventions Regime and Policy Reform

This paper, published between the Institute and the Senlis Council in 2003, describes and evaluates the options highlighted in the context of key scenarios for reform. Part I describes the options available under the existing Conventions. The main issue here is to determine the restrictions that follow from the Convention regime and the freedom of action that is left.

Part II evaluates the options highlighted in the context of key scenarios for reform. The legal consequences that flow from the different options are addressed. One conclusion is that a route to Convention reform may be founded on collective action based on alliances between like-minded states.

A Fourth International Convention for Drug Policy: Promoting Public Health Policies

This BIICL-Senlis Council publication from 2004 illustrates how public health promotion measures could be translated into a workable international legal framework. Taking into account the multi-level effects of drug abuse and in response to the failure of law enforcement to address these effects, the fourth framework convention adopts a multidimensional approach. By further defining the nature and scope of various health promotion measures, this new framework provides governments, for the first time, with an international legal basis to implement public health promotion policies.

These works may either be obtained from the Institute or the Senlis Council: www.senliscouncil.net.