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Evidence and human rights - not swelling prisons - are critical to sound drug policy, both here and abroad

June 2, 2011 -- We, the undersigned organizations, welcome today's release of a landmark report by the Global Commission on Drug Policy. It not only denounces the "war on drugs" as a failure but also puts forth a series of major recommendations for political leaders worldwide to adopt evidence- and rights-based approaches to drug policy.

The marijuana legalization activist describes what life in a U.S. prison has been like for her husband, Marc Emery, sentenced to five years on Sept. 10, 2010.

Cathryn Atkinson: You're going down to visit Marc tomorrow [The interview took place on Sept. 16], yes?

Jodie Emery: My visits are on Saturday and Monday, but I fly down a day early.

C.A.: How often are you allowed to see him at the moment?

Healthy Options Project Skopje (HOPS) is the recipient of the 2010 International Award for Action on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and Human Rights Watch announced this week. The award, which recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations that protect the rights and dignity of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, was presented in Vienna, Austria, at the XVIII International AIDS Conference. Here is a description of their program and challenges.

The Republic of Macedonia remains a country with a low rate of HIV. In fact, with 129 cases, it has the lowest reported number among southeastern European countries.