Harm Reduction Now!: A Manifesto of Civil Society

26 civil society organizations in the Philippines have signed on to this petition. Join us, and sign your name!

We, advocates of harm reduction,

Affirming the inherent dignity and value of every human being and the power of human compassion and solidarity,

Deeply concerned that persons who use drugs are subjected to social stigma, criminalization, and human rights violations,

Mindful that the social stigma, criminalization, and human rights violations are driven by a culture of fear and misconceptions about drugs and drug use,

Recognize that non-evidence-based and prohibitive drug policies run contrary to basic human rights and principles of non-judgmental restorative justice,

Cognizant that a punitive approach to drug use have led to human rights violations and assaults on human dignity,

Recalling that drug use is primarily a public health and social justice issue affecting all sectors, most especially the vulnerable such as the poor, women, people living with health conditions,

Affirming that a sustainable, rights-based, and evidence-based drug policy shall effectively protect human rights and guarantee access to fundamental healthcare, social, and economic services,

Stressing that harm reduction is a range of non-judgmental strategies that reduce the adverse health, social, economic, and other consequences related to the use of legal and illegal psychoactive substances among persons who use drugs, their families, and communities,

Hereby:

Demand responses that respect and uphold the inherent worth and dignity of every human being,

Call for a drug policy grounded on the principles of harm reduction that is inclusive, empowering, and gender- and age-sensitive,

Commit to support legislation, policies, and practices that are consistent with harm reduction principles, and

Urge all stakeholders to be at the forefront of meaningful actions towards making harm reduction a reality in Philippine society.

Signed:

1. Action for Health Initiatives (ACHIEVE), Inc.

2. ALAGAD Mindanao

3. Alternative Law Groups, Inc.

4. Balay Alternative Legal Advocates for Development in Mindanaw, Inc. (BALAOD Mindanaw)

5. Balay Rehabilitation Center

6. Bana-ag LGBT

7. CenterLaw

8. HIV/ AIDS Support House (HASH)

9. Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation Inc. (HLAF)

10. In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND)

11. IDUCare

12. Institute of Politics and Governance (IPG)

13. Kabataang Gabay sa Positibong Pamumuhay (KGPP)

14. Kagay-an Plus, Inc.

15. Medical Action Group (MAG)

16. Misamis Oriental CDO AIDS Network (MOCAN)

17. Network to Stop AIDS Philippines (NSAP)

18. NoBox Transitions Foundation, Inc. (NoBox Philippines)

19. Northern Mindanao Aids Advocates (NORMAA)

20. Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)

21. Phil Island Kids International Foundation, Inc. (Phil Island Kids)

22. Philippine Human Rights Information Center (PhilRights)

23. Philippine Jesuit Prison Service (PJPS)

24. StreetLawPH

25. The Library Foundation Sexuality, Health and Rights Educators (TLF Share) Collective

26. TINGUG Cagayan de Oro, Inc.