Intl Drug Policy Reform Conference
International Drug Policy Reform Conference
http://reformconference.org
The conference will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, November 11 – 14, 2009, with a preconference workshop November 11 on harm reduction psychotherapy.
SESSIONS
1. Imagining Victory: Make Your Own Marijuana Regulation Model
2. Formerly Incarcerated People, Policy Reform and Movement Building
3. Drug Courts: Is a Kinder, Gentler Drug War Good Enough?
4. Rural Harm Reduction: Complex Challenges and Unique Solutions
5. Ibogaine: Medical Practice, Science and African Heritage
6. Teaching the DW
Howard Lotsof is to be awarded the Robert C. Randall award in the Field of Citizen Action from the Drug Policy Alliance during the achievement dinner,
November 13th for his actions on behalf of drug users and ibogaine.
NZ Ibogaine Forum News Article
www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/72845/forum-debates-use-ibogaine
Forum debates use of Ibogaine
By Ellie Constantine on Mon, 7 Sep 2009
News: Dunedin
The idea of an Ibogaine treatment facility in New Zealand has been debated at a forum in Dunedin.
The Ibogaine Community Forum, held at the University of Otago on Saturday, attracted about 30 people who listened to a range of speakers involved in drug addiction treatment and the use of Ibogaine.
Two of the speakers came from the United States and South Africa respectively.
Tanea Paterson arranged the forum to drive discussion on how the drug, derived from an African plant, could become an official option for addiction treatment.
She was impressed with the interesting ideas at the forum but knew her goal of setting up a treatment clinic to administer it came down to clinical trials being carried out and the drug gaining official status.
Senior lecturer in the University of Otago department of psychological medicine and director of the Community Alcohol and Drug Service, Dr Gavin Cape, took part and said a research interest group was being formed to look at “therapeutic agents to help people who have addiction problems”.
He believed Ibogaine was a “promising therapeutic agent” but stressed “it remains unofficial because there is a lot of debate about it”.
Many people swore by its effectiveness and a strong support group had established around it but “it would take a long time before it became official” as controlled trials to test it further were required.
“What we are trying to do is really discover, along a scientific paradigm, if Ibogaine is as useful as some people say it is.”
The research group may look at starting clinical trials but nothing had been decided, he said.
Ibogaine was not illegal in New Zealand but was prohibited in the United States due to its hallucinogenic properties.
Ms Paterson said the drug not only assisted in the physical symptoms of withdrawal but the mental side as well as it allowed users to reflect on their issues.
She emphasised the drug would have little interest from recreational users because it did not offer an enjoyable experience.
NZ Ibogaine Forum Related News
www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/72729/addict-wants-drug-039mainstreamed039
Addict wants drug ‘mainstreamed’
By Sarah Harvey on Sat, 5 Sep 2009
News: Dunedin
For Tanea Paterson, the drug Ibogaine changed her from a drug addict to someone able to live her life.
Now she wants others to be able to get the drug.
Ibogaine, used for centuries by West Africans for rite-of-passage ceremonies and for its healing properties, is not illegal in New Zealand but is only administered by underground healers.
Ms Paterson, and many others worldwide, want the drug used to help people recover from addiction.
Due to its hallucinogenic properties, it is prohibited in the United States and a handful of other countries, but Canada and Mexico allow Ibogaine treatment clinics to operate.
Ms Paterson has organised a forum, to be held today at the University of Otago, where speakers from throughout the world will gather to discuss how the drug can become “mainstream”.
Participants include international heavyweights such as the founder of Cures Not Wars, in New York, Dana Beal, and the director of the Minds Alive International Treatment Centre in Durban, South Africa, Dr Anwa Jeewa.
Dr Gavin Cape, the director of the Community Alcohol and Drug Service, in Dunedin will also attend.
Ms Paterson has battled with drugs for more than a decade. When she was 17, she was involved in a serious car crash which left her dealing with chronic pain.
She was at the time a hairdressing apprentice and began to self-medicate by injecting morphine to deal with the pain.
It quickly became a habit – she contracted Hepatitis C from the needles she was using and watched as her life slowly unravelled.
She tried, and failed, to come off the drug naturally so, at 23, ended up on the methadone programme.
Methadone helped her escape from the drug scene but it also came with social stigma and restrictions.
“Life on methadone is not living – it is just existing. It was really hard to see a future, I couldn’t get excited about anything. You lose your purpose.”
After seven years she tried to withdraw from methadone, but failed.
Then, three and a-half years ago, a friend told her about Ibogaine.
“I had pretty much hit crisis point. I was severely depressed and I couldn’t see a way out.”
At first she did not believe what it was claimed the drug could do, so she spent months researching Ibogaine before deciding to undergo treatment in Australia.
She spent 10 days in Australia, where she was constantly monitored and given nutritious food and the drug.
The treatment was exhausting and not a “magic bullet”, but when she returned to New Zealand, 80% of her withdrawal symptoms had gone.
She no longer needed methadone and could start to live a normal life.
A counsellor said Ms Paterson went from experiencing severe fatigue, depression, anxiety and self-hate to recovering her physical energy and getting over fatigue, which allowed her body to heal.
Since then, she had enrolled in a polytechnic health course and helped others by taking them through the course in their homes.
She dreamed of setting up a treatment centre in New Zealand.
“I think there [are] a lot more people out there who deserve help,” she said.
The Ibogaine Community Forum is on at the University of Otago Burns 2 lecture theatre from 10am-6pm today. It is open to the public.
New Zealand Ibogaine Forum
IBOGAINE FORUM
-AN ALTERNATIVE ADDICTION TREATMENT-
SEPTEMBER 2009
-Saturday 5th- Otago Uni – Burns II lecture theatre @ 10am- 6pm
-Sunday 6th- OUSA Clubs and Socs – Evison lounge @ 12pm- 4pm
( THIS IS A FREE EVENT )
INFORMATION: tanea.iboga@gmail.com
Myeboga blog!
This blog has been set up to post details of any news or events related to ibogaine and eboga. It replaces the existing noticeboard. Please feel free to make any related post you wish by filling in the contact form. Thank you.
Myeboga blog!
This blog has been set up to post details of any news or events related to ibogaine and eboga. It replaces the existing noticeboard. Please feel free to make any related post you wish by filling in the contact form. Thank you.