The 'war on drugs' has failed, says a senior former British diplomat in Latin America, and a fresh approach to regulation is now needed.

Alcohol is the most dangerous drug in our society, and present UK drug classification systems bear little relation to the evidence of harm, according to a drugs expert sacked by the last government. Bob Carling probes behind the headlines and politics to look at the science policy issues and human concerns.

The British evangelical Christian development agency Tearfund says that criminalising drug addiction in Russia is fuelling the spread of HIV.

The prohibition on open debate about drugs policy in Britain and globally has not yet disappeared, says Mick Moore. But it must end. We need informed, expert opinion and a move from the 'prohibition' versus 'legalisation' stand-off towards humane control and regulation.