Anti-Drug Vaccines Hold Promise – But Little Profit
MEXICO CITY, Feb 10 2012 (IPS) – Vaccines against drug addiction appear to be a better strategy than the repressive worldwide war on drugs , but first they must overcome resistance from pharmaceutical laboratories and secure financial backing, scientists say.
Experimental trials against cocaine and heroin addiction are under way in Mexico and the United States, but two or three more years of work are needed to prove that the treatment is viable. Ethical aspects must also be resolved, such as compulsory medication for addicts and permission for use in children.
Different delivery methods need to be designed. The pleasurable effect of drugs needs to be eliminated, which is feasible. But it will have to start being done in under-age children, and that raises a number of legal…
“World Toilet Day” No Joke for Billions Without Sanitation
An open drainage ditch in Madagascar. Credit: Lova Rabary-Rakontondravony/IPS
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 16 2013 (IPS) – The United Nations has a longstanding tradition of commemorating political milestones like the abolition of the slave trade or sustaining day-long vigils on controversial issues such as a ban on nuclear tests.
The annual events have covered a wide range of political, social and economic issues on a 24-hour timeline, including World Cancer Day, World Press Freedom Day, World Refugee Day, World AIDS Day, World Population Day and World Water Day.”An environment that lacks sanitation and clean water is an environment where achieving other development go…
Dismantling Sexual Health Stigma in India
Natasha Chaudhary* is a trainer, coach and strategy consultant working to strengthen people-powered work. She is a Director at Haiyya, an Indian youth led feminist non-profit organization specializing in grassroots campaigning and consulting.
NEW DELHI, Feb 15 2019 (IPS) – Results from a survey with young and unmarried women suggest that as low as 1% of women have received information on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) from their mothers, doctors or government campaigns.
And 53% of these women feel unsure if the sexual health problems they faced were severe enough to visit a gynaecologist. Within the Indian context and patriarchal system, any conversation around young women’s sexuality is limited and stigmatised.