The Drugreporter Podcast

Rights Reporter Foundation

The Drug Policy podcast of the Rights Reporter Foundation. Visit https://www.drugreporter.net for news and films from the frontlines of the war on drugs!

  1. Dismantling Orbán’s System - Drugreporter interviewed by Arild Knutsen

    Apr 10

    Dismantling Orbán’s System - Drugreporter interviewed by Arild Knutsen

    As Hungary heads toward a pivotal election, the camera turns on two of its most prominent drug policy advocates. In this interview conducted by Arild Knutsen, Drugreporter founders Péter Sárosi and István Gábor Takács reflect on decades of activism—and explain why they are now taking their fight to the streets to challenge an increasingly repressive system.  Chapters: 00:00 Summary 02:14 Introduction 03:07 Who are you? 07:42 Why does video activism matter? 10:21 You’ve been in drug policy for years—how do you keep going? 16:36 What keeps you motivated? What kind of drug policy do you want? 22:46 Do you have a different drug policy position from the people you usually interview? 27:54 You make media, write, and organize protests—what’s happening in Hungary? 46:24 What’s it like coming to the CND and meeting people from more democratic countries? 51:02 What do you think about the 69th UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs? 54:06 Why does civil society need to be at the CND? Drugreporter (EN): https://www.drugreporter.net/ Facebook (HU): https://www.facebook.com/drogriporter/ Facebook (EN): https://www.facebook.com/drugreporter/ Instagram (HU): https://www.instagram.com/drogriporter/ Instagram (EN): https://www.instagram.com/rrfdrugreporter/ X.com (EN): https://x.com/RRFdrugreporter TikTok (EN): https://www.tiktok.com/@drugreporter_rrf/ Bluesky (EN): https://www.bsky.app/profile/drugreporter.bsky.social/ A Jogriporter Alapítvány: https://www.jogriporter.hu/ The Rights Reporter Foundation: https://www.rightsreporter.net/

    58 min
  2. Every step to improve lives is worth fighting for — Martin Jelsma on a 30-year drug policy struggle

    Mar 31

    Every step to improve lives is worth fighting for — Martin Jelsma on a 30-year drug policy struggle

    The global drug control system is under growing pressure, as countries experiment with regulation and long-standing assumptions are being challenged. Martin Jelsma, who is stepping down from the Transnational Institute this year after decades of work, has been at the forefront of these debates. In this interview, we discuss the WHO’s coca review, inter se treaty reform, and what these shifts mean for the future of global drug policy. Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:45 Martin, how did you get into the field of drug policy? 13:01 Did the UN drug control system learn from its mistakes? 19:15 How do you feel about the EU’s shift toward securitizing drug policy? 24:42 Should the UN drug control system be dismantled or reformed—and what would the ideal approach look like? 33:42 Would your younger self be satisfied or disappointed with today’s drug policy landscape? 35:25 What message do you have for the next generation of drug policy reformers? Drugreporter (EN): https://www.drugreporter.net/ Facebook (HU): https://www.facebook.com/drogriporter/ Facebook (EN): https://www.facebook.com/drugreporter/ Instagram (HU): https://www.instagram.com/drogriporter/ Instagram (EN): https://www.instagram.com/rrfdrugreporter/ X.com (EN): https://x.com/RRFdrugreporter TikTok (EN): https://www.tiktok.com/@drugreporter_rrf/ Bluesky (EN): https://www.bsky.app/profile/drugreporter.bsky.social/ A Jogriporter Alapítvány: https://www.jogriporter.hu/ The Rights Reporter Foundation: https://www.rightsreporter.net/

    38 min
  3. UNGASS Promises Unfulfilled: Marie Nougier on the Challenges Facing Global Drug Policy

    Mar 27

    UNGASS Promises Unfulfilled: Marie Nougier on the Challenges Facing Global Drug Policy

    Ten years after the 2016 UN General Assembly Special Session on drugs (UNGASS), a new report by the International Drug Policy Consortium takes stock of progress and remaining gaps in global drug policy. We spoke with Marie Nougier about what has changed over the past decade—and what still needs to change. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:35 Your new report looks back at ten years since the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS). How do you assess this decade? 03:11 Does this shift in language filter down to member states? 05:13 What structural reforms are needed at the UN level? 06:54 Do UN agencies communicate better with each other on drug policy? 08:10 Is the UN more welcoming to civil society than before UNGASS? 09:12 How do you see the role of the US in this area? 11:38 Is the EU still one of the most progressive actors? 13:15 What do you think of the EU’s new, more security-oriented strategy? 15:38 What lessons can be learned—and what would you recommend to decision-makers? Drugreporter (EN): https://www.drugreporter.net/ Facebook (HU): https://www.facebook.com/drogriporter/ Facebook (EN): https://www.facebook.com/drugreporter/ Instagram (HU): https://www.instagram.com/drogriporter/ Instagram (EN): https://www.instagram.com/rrfdrugreporter/ X.com (EN): https://x.com/RRFdrugreporter TikTok (EN): https://www.tiktok.com/@drugreporter_rrf/ Bluesky (EN): https://www.bsky.app/profile/drugreporter.bsky.social/ A Jogriporter Alapítvány: https://www.jogriporter.hu/ The Rights Reporter Foundation: https://www.rightsreporter.net/

    17 min
  4. “I’m incredibly proud of what we built” — Ann Fordham on Leaving IDPC After 17 Years

    Mar 25

    “I’m incredibly proud of what we built” — Ann Fordham on Leaving IDPC After 17 Years

    After 15 years at the helm of the International Drug Policy Consortium, Ann Fordham is stepping down as Executive Director. Under her leadership, IDPC has grown into one of the most influential global networks advocating for drug policies grounded in human rights, public health, and social justice. In this interview, we reflect on IDPC's achievements, ongoing challenges, and what lies ahead. 00:00 Intro 00:40 How was the drug policy debate when you first joined IDPC in 2008, compared to today? 03:26 Can you tell me the story of IDPC and how you came to work there? 07:22 What do you consider the greatest achievements of the last 15 years? 09:19 How hard was it to change the climate of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs from a hostile to a more friendly place? 12:25 Do you feel that UN agencies and member states recognise IDPC's achievements? 14:11 Another effort from civil society was to bring human rights language into the discussions here. Do you think we were successful in doing that? 15:49 Do you have any regrets, or anything you would do differently today? 17:32 After so many years, why did you decide to resign now? 18:50 What message would you send to member states interested in reforming their drug policies? Drugreporter (EN): https://www.drugreporter.net/ Facebook (HU): https://www.facebook.com/drogriporter/ Facebook (EN): https://www.facebook.com/drugreporter/ Instagram (HU): https://www.instagram.com/drogriporter/ Instagram (EN): https://www.instagram.com/rrfdrugreporter/ X.com (EN): https://x.com/RRFdrugreporter TikTok (EN): https://www.tiktok.com/@drugreporter_rrf/ Bluesky (EN): https://www.bsky.app/profile/drugreporter.bsky.social/ A Jogriporter Alapítvány: https://www.jogriporter.hu/ The Rights Reporter Foundation: https://www.rightsreporter.net/

    21 min

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The Drug Policy podcast of the Rights Reporter Foundation. Visit https://www.drugreporter.net for news and films from the frontlines of the war on drugs!