Transform Drug Policy Foundation
| Formation | 1997[1] |
|---|---|
| Type | NGO |
| Legal status | Charity |
| Purpose | Drug policy reform |
| Headquarters | Bristol, UK |
| Location |
|
Region served | international |
Chief Executive | Nicky Saunter[2] |
Main organ | Board of Trustees |
Staff | 11 |
| Website | http://www.tdpf.org.uk/ |
The Transform Drug Policy Foundation (Transform)[3] is a registered non-profit charity based in the United Kingdom working in the field of drug policy and law reform.
Transform began as an independent campaign group called Transform Drugs Campaign Ltd, and was set up in 1997 by its current Head of External Affairs, Danny Kushlick.[4] The organisation achieved charitable status in 2003[5] and was renamed 'Transform Drug Policy Foundation' in 2004. In 2007 Transform became the first UK based non-governmental organization (NGO) actively calling for drug law reform, including the legal regulation of drug production supply and use, to be granted special consultative status at the United Nations.
Policies
Transform's mission statement is:[6]
"An end to the war on drugs and the establishment of effective and humane systems of drug regulation."
and
"We will play a key role in bringing together a coalition of countries calling for drug law reform on the international stage by 2015."
Transform describes its activities as to:
- Carry out research, policy analysis and innovative policy development
- Challenge government to demonstrate rational, fact-based evidence to support its policies and expenditure
- Promote alternative, evidence-based policies to parliamentarians, government and government agencies
- Advise non-governmental organisations whose work is affected by drugs in developing drug policies appropriate to their own mission and objectives
- Provide an informed, rational and clear voice in the public and media debate on UK and international drug policy
Transform's Vision:
"An end to the war on drugs and the establishment of effective and humane systems of drug regulation."
- Social justice: restoration of human rights and dignity to the marginalised and disadvantaged, and regeneration of deprived neighbourhoods
- Reduced social costs: an end to the largest cause of acquisitive crime and street prostitution, and consequent falls in the non-violent prison population
- Reduced serious crime: dramatic curtailment of opportunities and incentives for organised and violent crime
- Public finances: the financial benefits of discontinued drug enforcement expenditure and the taxation of regulated drugs
- Public health: creation of an environment in which drug use can be managed and drug users can lead healthier lives
- Ethics: adherence to ethical standards and principles, including fair trade, in the manufacture, supply and distribution of drugs
- Reduced war and conflict: an end to the illegal drug trade's contribution to conflict and political instability in producer and transit countries
The organization believes that the current UK drug policies are not only failing but have themselves become the cause of many social problems. As an independent drug policy think tank, Transform is consulted regularly by its key audiences in policy making, the NGO sector and the media.[7]
Transform develops, and advocates for, new policies to bring currently illegal drugs under effective legal control and regulation, based on evidence of effectiveness, claiming that current policy is outdated and demonstrably counter-productive, being based on populist law and order politics and a misplaced 'drug war' ideologies. Transform argues that moves towards legal regulation and control of currently illegal drugs would produce dramatically improved policy outcomes as measured by key performance indicators in crime, public health and well being, social nuisance, environmental damage, international corruption and conflict, and public expenditure.
Public impact
Transform has been steadily gaining support from professionals and public figures; whose fields include policy making, academia, business, church, judiciary, police, media, public health and medicine.[8] Transform regularly appear in mainstream media debating, advising and responding to current issues within the drug policy field.
Other activities
Transform has a blog[9] which covers current media coverage often highlighting the myths, moral panic and misuse of statistics.
Transform has published the following books:
- How to Regulate Cannabis: A Practical Guide (November 2013)[10]
- After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation (November 2009)[11]
- After the War on Drugs: Tools for the Debate (October 2007)[12]
- After the War on Drugs: Options for control (October 2004)[13]
See also
- Drug Policy Alliance
- Arguments for and against drug prohibition
- Drug policy reform
- Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
- Prohibition (drugs)
References
- ↑ http://www.tdpf.org.uk/about-transform/staff
- ↑ http://www.tdpf.org.uk/about-transform/staff
- ↑ "Main Page". Transform Drug Policy Foundation. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
- ↑ http://www.tdpf.org.uk/AboutUs_Introduction.htm
- ↑ http://www.tdpf.org.uk/newsletters/2008-05-01.htm
- ↑ http://www.tdpf.org.uk/AboutUs_MissionAndActivities.htm
- ↑ "Media/News > Transform in the Media". Transform Drug Policy Foundation. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
- ↑ "MediaNews > Supporters of reform". Transform Drug Policy Foundation. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
- ↑ "Media Blog". Transform Drug Policy Foundation. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
- ↑ http://www.tdpf.org.uk/resources/publications/how-regulate-cannabis-practical-guide
- ↑ http://www.tdpf.org.uk/blueprint%20download.htm After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation
- ↑ http://www.tdpf.org.uk/Tools_For_The%20Debate.pdf After the War on Drugs: Tools for the Debate
- ↑ http://www.tdpf.org.uk/Transform_After_the_War_on_Drugs.pdf After the War on Drugs: Options for control