Internationally, drug policy is at a crossroads: the debate is shifting from a paradigm based on criminalizing drug users, to a more public health-oriented approach. But is this only a change in rhetoric, or a sign of real political reform? We asked activists who have been attending the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) for several years.

There are high expectations from civil society about next year's UN General Assembly on Drugs, a high-level meeting of governments to discuss the world drug problem. The last UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) was held in 1998 under the slogan: "A drug-free world: we can do it!" After almost 20 years, many governments feel frustrated about the evident failure and measurable unintended consequences of this utopian strategy. But can we expect governments to discuss the alternatives to current drug policies next year? We asked participants to share their views with us.

Another sign of change was the stronger-than-ever presence of civil society at the UN: NGOs from all over the world came to share their experiences with government delegates about how to deal with drug problems in the most effective ways. Our video provides a powerful photo exhibition, and a campaign in support of harm reduction.

China proposed an international ban on Ketamine, a dissociative drug known for its anesthetic properties in medicine – as well as for its use as a recreational drug. Although the World Health Organization recommended against scheduling this substance, many governments urged the CND to ban it. From this video, you can find out whether they were successful or not.

One of the most controversial issues debated at the CND was the death penalty for drug offenses. There are at least 32 countries which still prescribe capital punishment for drug offenses, and several Asian countries still execute drug offenders every year. Although European countries condemn the death penalty and call for its abolition, they also contribute to the execution of people – watch and learn how.

István Gábor Takács
Peter Sárosi
Mátyás Kálmán