Dear John,

When talking about livelihoods, one aspect that is often overlooked is the informal sector, especially the 'black market' in drugs. As part of our Livelihoods Appeal, we look at how the 'war on drugs' impacts on poor communities globally. 

Our research in Brazil and India shows that drug polices fail to reduce drug use, production or trafficking. Instead, they destroy people’s livelihoods and entrench cycles of marginalisation. 

Brazil is one of the most unequal countries in the world. People engaged at a low level in the drugs trade are often driven there by inequality and marginality.

Drug policing is overwhelmingly directed at poor and vulnerable low-level drug dealers, criminalising poverty.

Incarceration impacts people’s job and life prospects, while fines push people further into poverty. Meanwhile violence and mistreatment during incarceration, entrenches people’s engagement in the trade. 

Due to a lack of alternatives and state support in areas of rural India, many people depend on the cultivation of opium poppies for their families’ income.

Forced eradication of their crops and the violence that frequently accompanies it pushes people further into poverty, debt and insecurity.  

By targeting those at the lowest level of the trade with highly punitive measures whilst failing to address the poverty and lack of opportunities that drive their involvement in the first place, drug policies maintain inequality and social exclusion.

We believe that governments should decriminalise drugs, implement social support and tackle poverty, while developing models to legally regulate the trade in a way that protects the livelihoods health and rights of people.

Your contributions help to build broad global alliances and address the issues that impact on people's health and wellbeing. Please give to our Livelihoods Appeal and stand with workers and families across the world.

Yours sincerely,

Siaffa Bunduka
Supporter Engagement Manager