Drug war 'ignores rights'

The United Nations’ independent investigator promoting physical and mental health says drugs should be decriminalised.

Indian lawyer Anand Grover said punishment and sanctions did not cure drug dependency and the war on drugs had ignored users’ human rights.

Mr Grover told the General Assembly committee dealing with rights issues that people who used drugs might not get the health care they needed for fear of being arrested, or could be denied healthcare if they sought help.