From the Mountaintops-2011-Portugal-proof3.indd - Global Initiative ...

Global Drug Policy ProgramLaunched in 2008, the Global Drug Policy Program aims to shift the paradigm away fromtoday’s punitive approach to international drug policy, to one which is rooted in public healthand human rights. The program strives to broaden, diversify, and consolidate the networkof like-minded organizations that are actively challenging the current state of internationaldrug policy. The program’s two main activities consist of grant-giving and, to a lesser extent,direct advocacy work.At present, global drug policy is characterized by heavy-handed law enforcement strategieswhich not only fail to attain their targets of reducing drug use, production, and trafficking,but also result in a documented escalation of drug-related violence, public health crises, andhuman rights abuses.Open Society FoundationsActive in more than 70 countries, the Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant andtolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. Working with localcommunities, the Open Society Foundations support justice and human rights, freedom ofexpression, and access to public health and education.