18 May 2006

Effective drug policy key in fight against AIDS

Simple public health measures could prevent generalised HIV pandemic
LONDON– Rising HIV/AIDS infection rates in Eastern Europe and Central Asia will skyrocket if a pragmatic drug policy approach is not integrated into preventive strategies, ICOS, an international security and development think tank, warned on the occasion of the first conference on AIDS held in Moscow.

According to the

18 May 2006

Failing international drug control system: Think tank warns of grave consequences of global dimensions

In lead-up to the 2008 UN review on drugs, ICOS will reassess the effectiveness of the International Narcotics Control Board
VIENNA– On the occasion of the 49th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) – the penultimate session before the all-important 2008 review of the effectiveness of the international drug control

26 March 2006

Helmand farmers state that British Officials promised compensation to farmers for eradicating their poppy crops – but did not pay

Farmers claim 21 million US Dollars is owed to them

Broken Promises of British Government have led to the breakdown in relationship with Afghanistan Farmers in key province
LONDON– ICOS, an international security and development think tank announced today that Afghan farmers have instructed the British

26 March 2006

Farmers ask UK Government to veto plans to eradicate their crops and to include opium licensing for medicine in the drug strategy for Afghanistan – farmers will go to House of Commons on Monday

Victims of the opium crisis meet – Farmers to meet with UK heroin users and their families in Blackburn

European Parliament has recently endorsed opium licensing in Afghanistan
LONDON– Following the international

1 March 2006

Board is not addressing the global pain crisis
LONDON– ICOS, an international security and development think tank, today announced the establishment of an expert panel which will review the effectiveness of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). The Council said that the panel, which will be drawn from various parts of the world, will assess how the Board fulfils its functions. The Panel will present a

30 January 2006

The focus at the Afghan Donors’ Conference should be on the real stakeholders in Afghanistan’s future – Afghan farming communities must be empowered and included in decisions on the future of their country

Think Tank gives Afghan farmers a voice in advance of the international donors’ conference – farmers to attend press conference in London

“Farmers are the first casualty of war on drugs in Afghanistan,” Think

23 January 2006

Eradication is an impediment both development and security say think tank researchers

ICOS releases proposed law prohibiting eradication to protect Afghan farmers

“Farmers are the first casualty of war on drugs in Afghanistan,” Think Tank Director says

Launch of Farmers’ Defence Fund – to help farmers take legal action against eradication

Farmers’ Jirga will be held to bring Afghan farmers into discussion concerning Afghanistan’s drug policy
KABUL