INPUD Remains Firm in Their Convictions Despite Intense Social Stigma Against Drug Users

“Do Not Compromise.”

The International Network of People who use Drugs (INPUD), was created in 2006, following the Vancouver Declaration, which established global and regional drug user rights networks. The Asian Network of People who use Drugs (ANPUD), was created shortly after the ‘Goa Declaration,’ a similar movement in Asia to recognize the rights of drug users. The Consortium of People Who Use Drugs, comprising both INPUD and ANPUD, was established in 2014, linking these global networks to advance the rights of drug users. INPUD represents communities of people who use drugs globally, while ANPUD represents drug users in Asia Pacific. The two networks have collaborated on numerous projects, consultations, and trainings in the years since, and continue to strengthen their partnership.

INPUD faces a particularly challenging social and legal climate, often working against strong stigmatization of drug use and criminalization that can deter drug users from actively advocating for themselves. INPUD and ANPUD both have governing boards comprised of people who use drugs, many of whom face severe economic and health disadvantages. In addition, these networks face diminishing donor support, pointing to the increased need for internal capacity and sustainability. INPUD, like other drug user networks, have to strengthen governance structures, develop sound financial policies, and build successful human resource procedures in order to face these challenges.

INPUD has been supported by RCF since their inception as a consortium in 2014. The most recent grant allowed INPUD to streamline their internal processes and build infrastructure. For example, all INPUD staff members were able to undergo comprehensive financial trainings addressing accounting, auditing, and financial management. INPUD also went through a full human resources restructuring consisting of updating the performance review protocol and HR manual.  INPUD was also able to recruit and employ well-qualified, permanent staff members. With improved internal structures in place, INPUD has increased staff capacity and productivity on mission driven projects, allowing them to be more ambitious with their advocacy.

In the past year, INPUD made major strides in advancing the rights of people who use drugs by providing edits to The World Health Organization and UNODC’s proposed International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders. INPUD was able to review the document just before it was planned to be released at the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in March 2018. They identified many problematic issues with the Standards, such as stigmatizing language, pejorative stereotypes of drug users, and a lack of harm reduction strategies. With support from other agencies, INPUD published an open letter with 188 signatories addressed to the Executive Directors of WHO and UNODC, which led to the Standards being successfully blocked from release. INPUD’s efforts led WHO and UNODC to agree to produce a second draft of the Standards incorporating the feedback. Following a meeting in November 2018, INPUD was assured that many of its primary suggestions would be incorporated into the final draft, including the removal of all stigmatizing and discriminatory language.

Blocking the initial Standards from release was a successful step towards advocating for drug users, as a primary hurdle in improving access and quality of care is reducing negative stereotypes and social stigmatization. INPUD’s focus on improving internal structures, with the support of RCF, has given them the capacity to increase and strengthen their advocacy activities. They have become a more efficient agency, which has in turn allowed INPUD and ANPUD to be more ambitious and aggressive in their goals. Due to the nature of the work, there are very few officially registered, well-established networks of drug users. INPUD is now better equipped to withstand the economic and social challenges, and continue to advocate for their constituents at the highest level.