Everybody in the United Arab Emirates knows that there is a strong prohibition on drugs. So, people often mistakenly think drug-related emergencies are uncommon. However, recent examples highlight that this is not the case, and that we need creative solutions to the problem. Like everywhere else in the world, drug-related emergencies and overdoses in the UAE are often preventable through targeted policy and programming. Now is a perfect opportunity for such policy: specifically, I believe the UAE needs to introduce a Good Samaritan Law for drug emergencies.
Good Samaritan Laws for drug emergencies are nothing new. In fact, many countries…
*This article was originally published by Students for Sensible Drug Policy as part of the International Organizing Committee’s initiative to highlight global drug policy and youth activists*
Written by Jacob Chagnon ‘18
Jacob: For this week’s Member Highlight, we’re highlighting Aravind ‘Arvy’ Kumar ’18, former chapter leader at NYU Abu Dhabi and contributing member to the International Organizing Committee.
Arvy, my immediate successor at the NYU Abu Dhabi chapter and a dear friend, now lives and works full time in Abu Dhabi since his graduation. …
*This article was originally published by Students for Sensible Drug Policy as part of the International Organizing Committee’s initiative to highlight global drug policy and youth activists*
This is the second part of our Global Country Highlight on Lebanon. If you have not seen the first part, please click here.
Civil Society
In my view, the NGOs working in Lebanon set a fantastic example for activists everywhere, covering key areas of policy change, network building, medical treatment, and harm reduction. …
*This article was originally published by Students for Sensible Drug Policy as part of the International Organizing Committee’s initiative to highlight global drug policy and youth activists*
Earlier this year, I was taken aback by civil society’s impressive commitment to drug policy reform and advocacy in Lebanon. As SSDP’s first Country Highlight, I’m excited to shine a spotlight on this beautiful and complicated country, to explore its drug laws, recent and important developments, and most importantly, share some of the fantastic work of civil society.
In the first installment of this two-part series, I will introduce you briefly to Lebanon…
*This article was originally published by Students for Sensible Drug Policy as part of the International Organizing Committee’s initiative to highlight global drug policy and youth activists*
This week, we bring you a special edition of our global Member Highlights, intended to showcase the activists working in tandem with the drug policy reform movement. Moreover, we aim to emphasize the fact that you need not be a student, or formally affiliated with SSDP, to be a contributing ally. It is my absolute pleasure to highlight fellow activist and friend Chiri Choukeir, a Beirut-based activist, journalist, and drug policy reform ally…
To listen to a narration of the text , click below:
I’ve spent much of summer 2020 home in Massachusetts wondering whether I’ll make it to Austria in time to start graduate school this year. My thoughts have been miring in the sheer significance of being blocked from entering the European Union, while I cannot shake the feeling that this marks the beginning of the end for American global mobility. Moreover, I worry that its significance hasn’t really hit home for most people.
So, allow me to issue a pressing warning to my American…
Author: Jacob Chagnon ‘17
*This blog post was originally published by Students for Sensible Drug Policy and covers aspects of our time at the United Nations in March 2020.*
One of the most valuable aspects of attending the annual Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is the opportunity to collaborate with other civil-society groups. This work extends beyond attending the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)-sponsored programming-the plenary, the side events-and beyond our network of youth-focused civil society, . While many Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are there as policy reformers, like Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), others represent…
This is an article by former Chapter Leader, Jacob Chagnon ’17, about his experiences running Students for Sensible Drug Policy Abu Dhabi and attending the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. If you’d like to support our non US chapters and our efforts at the United Nations, please donate to the International Activities Fund.
One quick Google search about drug laws in the United Arab Emirates quickly exposes a harsh and sometimes draconian approach to drug use. Travel websites caution foreigners about extreme punishments-up to and including the death penalty-while there are myriad ridiculous stories about tourists with specks of cannabis who…
Jacob Chagnon
Humanist, graduate student, activist. Better speaker than writer. Probably ranting about drug policy reform, cultural issues, or neurophilosophy.
