OAS chief calls for “long-awaited” debate on drug policy

A one-size-fits-all response won’t work for complex problems that affect different countries in various ways
IPS
Saturday, May 25, 2013

john-walsh-espectador-smallFollowing the release of a major draft report on drug policy in the Americas, the secretary-general of the Organisation of American States (OAS) called for the beginning of debate aimed at reforming those policies throughout the region. Many of the region’s leaders have expressed frustration with the limits and exorbitant costs of current policies and their desire for a more creative debate. But according to John Walsh, who participated in writing the OAS report, there is a lot of scepticism over whether the OAS will be up to the task, especially given U.S. domination of the issue.