War's Wallet: HRI Sheds Light on the Economic Engine Driving the Global Drug War

Dear Supporters,

Harm Reduction International (HRI)'s recent report, "Aid for the War on Drugs", sheds light on concerning financial trends that further amplify the impacts of the global drug war. Below is some fact-based information derived from this very report and precisely presented to you in bullet-points for your convenience:

• Development Aid Misused: Large sums of international development aid are being directed towards narcotics control. This often funds punitive measures that undermine health, human rights, and global development commitments.
• The Human Cost: The global war on drugs has resulted in mass incarceration, death sentences, civilian casualties during counter-narcotics operations, and rights violations. These measures predominantly affect impoverished, marginalized, and racialized communities worldwide.
• Double standards & Contradicting International Consensus: Despite mounting evidence and international recognition of the negative impacts of punitive drug policies, substantial funding continues to flow to these initiatives. Simultaneously, harm reduction programs, which prioritize health and human rights, remain underfunded.
• Concerning Spending Patterns: Between 2012-2021, over USD 930 millions of aid money was spent on “narcotics control” projects. A significant portion of this aid was directed towards countries that enforce the death penalty for drug-related offenses.
• A Call for Transparency: The report emphasizes the need for transparency in aid spending. Donors need to ensure their funds support community development rather than punitive measures that harm the very communities they aim to assist.
• Recommendations: HRI calls on international donors to divest from punitive drug control regimes and instead focus on evidence-based, health- and human rights-centered harm reduction initiatives. Additionally, civil society, journalists, taxpayers, and the OECD are urged to demand transparency, conduct investigations, and critically evaluate funding flows.

Wealthy governments led by the U.S., E.U., U.K. and Japan have been using international aid money to fund the global 'war on drugs'. For example, more aid globally was spent in 2021 on narcotics control ($323 million) than on school feeding projects ($286 million) or labor rights ($198 million). Such spending is out of step with health and human rights commitments and undermines development goals. 

In alignment with the findings of this report, our mission remains clear: "We must end the detrimental policies of the drug war and compensate affected communities. Together, let's push for just drug policies that prioritize community, health, and justice.

Thank you for your continued support.

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