As Hong Kong faces economic disruption from the coronavirus, the government has initiated three rounds of stimulus packages, totalling HK$287.5 billion (~AU$58 billion), to support the economy.[i] However, are these measures enough to support businesses and households through this period of uncertainty? This article looks at

Despite the government’s effort in dealing with drug consumption, the total number of addicts has been increasing. In 2007, the government passed the Anti-Drug Law that decriminalised drug consumption, signalling  a new focus on treatment and prevention. China has four drug treatment settings for users: voluntary treatment, community-based treatment,

As one of the important transit points for drugs moving to countries in Southeast Asia, East Asia and Oceania, Thailand’s drug policy seeks to reduce both demand and supply, but cranks down on the supply side much harder. The zero-tolerance approach focuses on law enforcement. In fact, the maximum

Since the late 1980s, Portugal suffered a heroin epidemic, with an estimated 1% of the population addicted to the drug. In response to the crisis, the government had initially focused on bolstering the criminal justice system with harsher policies and punishments. However, this wasn’t working as it only created

On the supply side, the UK has the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Under this act, illegal drugs are classified into three categories: Class A, Class B and Class C. The maximum sentence for supplying and producing class A drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, is life imprisonment. On the

According to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health report, an estimated 53.2 million people in the United States were drug users in 2018. Most of this wass marijuana use,  which has 43.5 million users. To  combat this, the US focuses on prevention, treatment, domestic law

Mexico’s drug policy focuses on supply-side reduction. Since the 1980s, the government has given the military ever greater powers to deal with drug cartels. Calderon’s administration (2006-2012) launched a massive campaign against drug cartels that saw the homicide rate double during the period. Federal operations with large numbers

It is estimated that about 60% of the cocaine consumed in the world is produced in Colombia with about 55% of production sold to North America and 45% exported to European markets. The estimated value of the country’s cocaine production and trafficking business is US$4.5 billion a