Politicians at national and local levels around the globe still strive to attain a “drug-free society” despite the major human rights problems that result from pursuing this objective. Candidates amplifying social fears of drug use and advocating for increased repression continue to garner significant public support.
On the flip side, elections also provide a forum for the public to debate and review outdated policies and to propose new frameworks. Some recent elections have helped build political support for innovative approaches.
This side event at the 65th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs featured Juan Manuel Santos, former president of Colombia, Nurul Izzah Anwar, a member of parliament in Malaysia, and Svante Myrick, former mayor of Ithaca, New York, speaking with Open Society’s Matthew Wilson about the relationship between drug policy and elections.
Open Society’s President, Mark Malloch-Brown, a former head of the United Nations Development Program (1999–2005) offered opening remarks.
Speakers
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Nurul Izzah Anwar
Speaker
Nurul Izzah Anwar is currently a member of parliament for Pematang Pauh, Malaysia, serving her third term in the legislature.
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Svante L. Myrick
Speaker
Svante L. Myrick became Ithaca, New York’s youngest mayor in 2012 at age 24.
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Juan Manuel Santos
Speaker
Juan Manuel Santos is a former president of Colombia and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
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Matthew Wilson
Moderator
Matthew Wilson is division director of Equity for Global Programs at the Open Society Foundations.
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