Francisco Gutierrez outlines the important role for international actors in helping turn the tide of violence in Colombia.
Voices from the borderlands 2020
Insights into how illicit drugs – and drug policies – impact the dynamics of violence and peace, poverty and development, and insecurity and resilience.
Jangul: conflict and drug trafficking in Afghanistan’s borderlands
This comic tells the story of Jangul’s from Nangarhar province in Afghanistan, and how he ended up smuggling heroin from Kabul to Moscow
Forced eradication: a policy that kills
Making visible incidents of violence and confrontation related to Colombia’s forced eradication of illicit crops policy.
Adapting Drugs & (dis)order to the COVID-19 pandemic
From home-working and research activities to altered politics. Here’s how we’re adapting to new circumstances.
Addressing coronavirus in conflict zones: three factors policymakers should consider
Governments must move quickly to level with their citizens about the nature of the threat and get them involved in finding solutions. Given what is at stake, there is not a moment to lose.
Mastering the art of living with radical uncertainty in Afghanistan
While the West struggles with the uncertainty of coronavirus, for Afghanistan it’s a way of life, and opium poppy cultivation is an important part.
The intimidation and assassination of social leaders: Colombia’s other pandemic
Social leader Marco Rivadeneira was murdered during the COVID-19 mayhem – intimidation has not ceased as has been reported.
Illicit drugs and tough trade-offs in war-to-peace transitions
A new policy paper makes the case for including illicit drugs in Agenda 2030, particularly Sustainable Development Goal16.
Three strategies to transform approaches to illicit drug economies
While the World Bank Fragility Forum 2020 was postponed, development leaders still need to rethink their approaches to illicit drugs. Here’s how.
Five reflections on Asia’s drug policies for the 2020s
Drugs are likely to play a bigger role in Asia, here’s why and what it means for the region’s drug policies.
Data management guidance
Guidance on how to handle research data in complex research contexts.
There is still time to make Colombia’s illicit crop substitution programme work
This blog shares the key results of a survey with coca farmers in two of Colombia’s highest coca producing regions.
What you didn’t know about Mexico’s opium crisis
The drug fentanyl is devastating Mexican poppy cultivating communities, but it could be an unprecedented opportunity for Mexico.
A curious case of unusual economic transformation
Explaining and challenging dominant narratives around illicit crops and development, using the curious case of Myanmar.
Peace, illicit drugs and the SDGs: A development gap
New counter-narcotic and peacebuilding strategies are needed to meet SDG16.
Illicit drugs and peace: why the borderlands matter
The borderlands lie at the country margins, but are central to processes that generate war and peace.
International Journal of Drug Policy
Research, reviews, debate and critical analysis on drug use and drug policy in a global context.