War on drugs :: For an end to the militaristic approach
Brazilian organizations condemn moves by the interim government on drug policy
The PBPD (Brazilian Drug Policy Platform), formed by 34 institutions, groups and movements from a variety of fields, has expressed its concern with the actions taken by Brazil’s new interim government with respect to the country’s drug policy. The most recent move is the appointment of Colonel Roberto Allegretti to head up the National Drug Department, which is part of the Ministry of Justice.
According to the organizations, the current policy is marked by a lack of transparency and the influence of political parties and interest groups, without any concern for the construction of a pluralistic State.
In a public statement, the PBPD reiterated its condemnation of the militaristic approach taken by representatives of the current government. The organizations warn that this vision has profound negative impacts on the guarantee of human rights and public security.
“Stepping up the war on drugs is to aggravate an already unacceptable level of violence in Brazil, which for more than a decade has been counting its murders in the tens of thousands, victimizing mainly the poorest and most ethnically discriminated population groups, such as black youths.”
The organizations also stated that programs to reduce harm and disseminate constructive information on drugs, which have come a long way in recent years, must not be ignored and overshadowed by outdated discourses that view fear and abstinence as the only possible focus of state action.
- Click here to read the statement in full.
