INDEPENDENT NEWS

International Drug Policy Innovators to Speak At Symposium

Published: Mon 10 Feb 2014 12:46 PM
International Drug Policy Innovators to Speak At ‘Pathway to Reform’ in Auckland Next Month
On March 20th 2014, The STAR Trust will proudly host New Zealand’s inaugural international drug policy symposium PATHWAY TO REFORM at The Nathan Club in Auckland’s CBD.
PATHWAY TO REFORM will see world leaders, academics, New Zealand Government MP’s and officials come together to review and discuss the Psychoactive Substances Act and the global drug policy reform movement.
Due to the recent passing of this Act, the New Zealand government has received international recognition for this innovative policy solution to the global challenge of contemporary drug use.
“Having so many world leaders interested in what we are doing here in New Zealand is a great endorsement of regulation over prohibition,” said Grant Hall, General Manager of The STAR Trust. “If we get this policy right and it delivers on the promise of better public health outcomes, it is quite likely the New Zealand model will be a template for drug policy reform globally.”
The symposium will feature a range of key note thought leaders, two of the most prominent being Amanda Feilding from the United Kingdom and Ethan Nadelmann from the United States.
The PATHWAY TO REFORM symposium will not only provide an opportunity to discuss the successes and challenges that New Zealand has seen due to the reform, but also the vision that the New Zealand government holds for the future.
AMANDA FEILDING
Amanda Feilding is the founder of the UN-accredited Beckley Foundation which is exploring ways to develop evidence-based, harm-reducing and cost-effective drug policies that respect human rights. She is a significant figure in the global movement to reform drug policy and continues to push the boundaries of consciousness research. Beckley is engaged in consulting directly with world leaders on drug policy reform. Having already produced over 40 influential books, reports and briefing papers on key policy issues, Amanda is currently writing two books; ‘Illicit Drugs: Reducing Harms Through Regulation’ and ‘Coca, Cocaine & Derivatives: Harm Reduction through Regulation’.
Website: http://www.beckleyfoundation.org/
ETHAN NADELMANN
Founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), Dr. Ethan Nadelmann has played a pivotal role in most of the major drug policy reform ballot initiative campaigns in the U.S.A. From medical marijuana and marijuana legalisation to prison reform, drug treatment and asset forfeiture reform. The DPA have led and assisted various successful campaigns to reform state and federal laws. These have involved drug sentencing, access to treatment, prevention of overdose fatalities, and marijuana policy.
Website: http://www.drugpolicy.org/staff-and-board/staff/ethan-nadelmann-executive-director
Pathway to Reform
Thursday, 20th March 2014 at The Nathan Club, Auckland CBD
Key note speakers include: Ethan Nadelmann; Amanda Feilding; Dr Brian Emerson; Fiona Patten; James Dunne; Dt. Insp. Stuart Mills; MP Peter Dunne; MP Kevin Hague; MP Iain Lees-Galloway; MP Dr Paul Hutchinson; Colin Craig; Martyn Bradbury; MP Tracey Martin
Follow us on Twitter @TheStarTrust (hashtag #pathway2reform), and link in on Facebook to The STAR Trust. The entire event will be streamed live to a global audience at www.thestartrust.org
The STAR Trust
The STAR Trust is a non-profit, NGO that advocates for regulatory systems which are evidence based and nurture harm minimisation, whilst also respecting an individual’s right to access low risk social tonics.
The STAR Trust is funded by private contributions from individuals and industry members committed to drug policy reform and research. The STAR Trust represents the industry and monitors a voluntary code of conduct for responsible operators.
ends

Next in Lifestyle

Malicious Melodrama - Todd Haynes’ ‘May December’
By: Howard Davis
The Austerity Of Quiet Despair - Wim Wenders’ ‘Perfect Days’
By: Howard Davis
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media