Drug Law Reform in East and Southeast Asia

Punitive drug policies have done enormous harm to drug users and their neighbors all over the world. These policies have been particularly vicious in some parts of East and Southeast Asia. This has resulted in massive HIV and hepatitis epidemics in many countries. Fifa Rahman and Nick Croft's Drug Law Reform in East and Southeast Asia is a wonderfully insightful overview of these policies and their effects-as well as presenting alternative policies and evidence that these alternative policies do much less damage than punitive approaches. They do this by presenting a range of articles by leading professionals, a chapter on drug user activists' perspectives on drug policy, and a chapter on Islamic approaches. All in all, this is a useful and lovely book. -- Sam Friedman, Institute of Infectious Disease Research This expansive volume successfully combines expert analysis with policy recommendations to provide a timely and much needed overview of drug markets and policy responses in East and Southeast Asia. It is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand the complexities of drug policy in a region where shifts in attitude have taken place but where further drug law reform remains overdue. -- David Bewley-Taylor, Swansea University A timely and comprehensive review of drug policy issues which moves beyond ideology and calls for a complete re-examination of existing practices in the Asia region. The authors provide clear guidance as to why existing policies have failed based on detailed case studies of key countries, and propose a new approach to drugs that is based on human rights within a framework of public health. Essential reading for anyone interested in drug policy issues and how best to respond. -- Desmond Cohen, Former Director of UNDP's HIV and Development Programme