UN Human Rights Chief Slams War on Drugs, NFL Changes Drug Testing Policy, More… (12/6/24)

The factional cartel violence within the Mexican state of Sinaloa is just not solely leaving a toll of useless but in addition a rising toll of “disappeared,” and extra. 

Drug Testing

NFL, Gamers Conform to Modifications on League Drug Coverage. The Nationwide Soccer League (NFL) and the NFL Gamers Affiliation have agreed to adjustments within the league’s drug coverage, in response to a memo launched by the gamers affiliation on Wednesday. The brand new insurance policies will go into impact earlier than this weekend’s video games. 

One change is an increase within the stage of THC required to set off a optimistic check outcome for marijuana, from 150 nanograms per milliliter to 350. One other reduces the fines for violations of the league substance abuse coverage.

The brand new coverage additionally contains testing for fentanyl for the primary time “if clinically indicated.” A optimistic fentanyl check will meet no self-discipline. Nonetheless, a participant who examined optimistic may very well be fined $15,000 if he refuses to attend a compulsory assembly about fentanyl after a optimistic check. 

Beneath the brand new coverage, gamers may additionally face a $15,000 tremendous in the event that they submit about their random drug check outcomes on social media. Some gamers have posted photos of a chunk of paper informing them they might be randomly drug examined after having good video games, suggesting that the drug check is a badge of honor. Now, exhibiting off that badge of honor may include a price. 

Worldwide

“Battle on Medication Has Failed, Fully and Totally,” Says UN Human Rights Head. Talking on the ‘Coping with Medication II’ convention in Warsaw on Thursday, Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk mentioned the worldwide battle on medicine was a failed method that “destroyed numerous lives and broken whole communities”.

Türk highlighted the pressing want for a human rights-based method to drug regulation, pointing to file numbers of drug-related deaths and growing drug use issues.

The convention, which builds on January’s ‘Coping with Medication I’ assembly hosted by the Mayor of Amsterdam, introduced collectively leaders and specialists from throughout Europe and the world to share greatest practices and experience.

“Criminalization and prohibition have failed to scale back drug use and failed to discourage drug-related crime. These insurance policies are merely not working – and we’re failing a number of the most weak teams in our societies,” Türk added, calling for a radical shift in method that prioritizes well being, dignity, and inclusion.

“As a substitute of punitive measures, we want gender-sensitive and evidence-based drug insurance policies, grounded by public well being,” Türk urged. He additionally known as for “inclusive entry to voluntary medical care and different social providers,” emphasizing that hurt discount measures are important in stopping drug overdose fatalities.

A key ingredient of reform, Türk declared, is decriminalization. “We have to begin treating the particular person, not punishing the drug use dysfunction,” advocating for social reintegration help to accompany coverage adjustments. “Specializing in inclusion and training over incarceration implies that drug consumption falls. Selecting social reintegration over stigmatization implies that drug-related infections lower,” Türk mentioned. 

And he mentioned that you may’t speak about drug coverage with out together with customers. “Traditionally, individuals who use medicine are marginalized, criminalized, discriminated in opposition to, and left behind – fairly often stripped of their dignity and their rights,” he famous. “We’re destined to fail except we guarantee their real participation in formulating and implementing drug coverage. The proof is obvious. The so-called Battle on Medication has failed, utterly and totally,” Türk concluded. “And prioritizing individuals over punishment means extra lives are saved.”

Disappearances Double in Mexico’s Sinaloa as Cartel Clashes Proceed. The cut up between the Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman and the Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada factions of the Sinaloa cartel has left a whole bunch of individuals useless in Sinaloa since preventing escalated in September. And now, state officers say a further 200 individuals have disappeared since, a doubling of the “regular” charge of disappearances within the state. 

Zambada’s faction, “Los Mayos,” says he was betrayed by “Los Chapitos,” the faction led by Guzman and his sons. One in all Guzman’s sons kidnapped Zambada this previous summer season and delivered him to US authorities on the border. The son additionally turned himself in, and the transfer is broadly seen as an a bid to sacrifice Zambada in hopes of gaining extra lenient therapy for El Chapo and his sons. 

Newly-installed President Claudi Sheinbaum has despatched her safety chief to the state to quell the violence, which has haunted her first months in workplace. 

When she was sworn in on October 1, she promised no direct confrontations with the cartels, saying: “There will likely be no return to the irresponsible drug battle,” and ruling out a extra aggressive method.

However now, going through criticism from inside and strain from US President-elect Donald Trump, she seems to be altering her tune. She mentioned this week that her administration would take a “zero tolerance” method to cartel violence and went out of her solution to reward safety forces for the nation’s largest fentanyl bust ever, with greater than a ton seized. 

“These actions will proceed till the violence diminishes within the state of Sinaloa,” her safety chief vowed.