Navigating the nexus between British Columbia's public consumption and decriminalization policies of illegal drugs.

In January 2023, the province of British Columbia (BC) decriminalized the possession of certain illegal drugs for personal use. The province's primary intent was to reduce the stigma associated with drug use, as well as barriers for people who use drugs (PWUD) to access treatment and supports. However, less than ten months into the decriminalization policy, due to growing concerns about public safety voiced by municipal governments and communities, the provincial government made amendments to the policy to ban the public consumption of illicit drugs in additional locations, and subsequently introduced additional legislation, Bill 34, aimed at regulating public consumption of drugs in public spaces. Some communities have also implemented local bylaws similarly regulating public drug use. Bill 34 and local bylaws may serve as tools to promote community health and safety and minimize direct and indirect harms associated with public drug use. However, such legislation may re-criminalize PWUD and reinforce negative perceptions surrounding drug use, especially if these policies are not paired with strategies to expand the availability and accessibility of critical harm reduction and housing services. Without ample access to these services, limitations on public drug use can potentially displace individuals to areas where they are more likely to use alone, further exposing them to substance use-related harms, and undermining the goals of decriminalization. The potential effects of these restrictions may also disproportionately impact marginalized populations. As of April 2024, Bill 34 remains on hold. Moving forward, it will be important to monitor this bill, as well as other public consumption bylaws and legislation, and their impact on BC's overall decriminalization initiative. Decision-makers are urged to increase engagement with PWUD and relevant stakeholders in the design and implementation of policies pertaining to public consumption to ensure that they effectively address the evolving needs and realities of PWUD, and align with decriminalization goals.

The Law and the Pussycat: Public Perceptions of the Use of Municipal Bylaws to Control Free-Roaming Domestic Cats in Canada.

Domestic cats (Felis catus) face contradictory public perceptions. In 2019, we examined public perceptions toward cats within the City of Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, using an online survey (1,464 responses) to assess perceptions toward free-roaming cats and the use of bylaws to address concerns. Perceptions were dependent on cat-ownership status; a majority of non-cat and former owners were concerned about free-roaming cats, current cat owners less so. There was considerable support for mandatory identification. Cat owners were not supportive of bylaws restricting free-roaming of cats, although this was supported by non-owners. Concerns include the negative impact on caring for a pet cat, and the fear that such bylaws would increase abandonment. Cat owners were not enthusiastic about fines for roaming cats, while non-cat owners were. There was considerable concern around including neutering cats as part of planned cat management. Our research also found nuanced concern for the impacts of management on impoverished owners, the welfare of cats and a recognition that it was the humans, rather than the cats, who should be the focus of active and thoughtful intervention.

Professional and Organizational Leadership Role in Ethics Management: Avoiding Reliance on Ethical Codification and Nurturing Ethical Culture.

The engineering profession has experienced some ethical cases that were rarely reported, scrutinized, or discussed because: they did not necessarily represent violations of existing codes even if they breached ethical principles; those within the organization were not prepared to take steps to address the issues or impose sanction; an/or some of the personnel associated with these cases resorted to silence to avoid being labeled as trouble-makers in their organizations and, perhaps, more broadly, in society. The goal of this paper is to heighten managerial awareness of ethical issues, interrelated ethical lapses, and appropriate responsive actions within professional engineering communities. As such, the authors reviewed recent well-known professional and organizational ethical cases including impact of leadership role and existing standards, and critically analyzed interrelated literature. The paper's case studies exemplify that because ethical issues are complex, intricate, and nuanced; bylaws are insufficient for establishing the inclusive culture for handling potential ethical situations. In fact, through what is known as the codification of ethics, it is possible that someone's conduct can totally fulfill all professional responsibilities but still be unethical. As such, ethical leadership is needed to provide the means for establishing appropriate norms so as to set the proper structures for addressing the diverse ethical matters. Perceptions about the responses of leaders to potential ethical lapses are a critical factor in formulating, changing, and maintaining ethical values at the individual and organizational levels. A leader's passive attitude toward ethical issues can be the signal for the ignored lapses to become the norm at not only the organizational level but also the society. Guided by the new Code of Ethics by the American Society of Civil Engineers, this paper aims to trigger the proper ethical behavior and expectations for the welfare of the engineering profession both in the present and future.

Municipal regulation of cannabis and public health in Canada: A comparison of Alberta, Ontario, and Québec.

Canada legalized nonmedical cannabis in October 2018, but significant variations in municipal regulations exist. This study explored the variations that exist and pondered their potential public health consequences. A comparative analysis was completed on the regulations and guidelines that addressed retailers' location and public consumption in the municipalities of Alberta, Ontario, and Québec. Municipal regulations that addressed the location of retailers were more numerous and extensive in Alberta and Ontario (in the context of provincial private retail models) than in Québec (government-based model). Municipalities in Alberta added more restrictions to public consumption laws as compared to municipalities in Ontario and in Québec. These additions were made to Alberta's and Ontario's provincial-level smoking and vaping bans which used tobacco-inspired frameworks, and to Québec's ban on smoking and vaping in all public spaces. The comparative analysis showed the importance of considering municipal cannabis regulations when studying the impact of legalization, given the significant variations that exist. Policy makers should be made aware of these variations in the regulation of cannabis in order to limit health harms and further social inequalities.

Las políticas de salud reproductiva en Estados Unidos y Chile

This work addresses the controverted reproductive health policies in the last fifty years in the United States and in the last thirty years in Chile, since the return of democracy. They range from the inclusion of sex education programs in school curricula to the voluntary interruption of pregnancy and the recent emergence of institutional conscientious objection. The author provides a comparative analysis of the latter in both countries, considering the current political context in the United States and the constituent process development in Chile.

The role of traditional leadership in disaster management and disaster risk governance: A case of Ugu District Municipality by-laws.

Section 151(2) of the Constitution empowers municipalities in South Africa to pass disaster management-related by-laws. Such by-laws should be specific on the role of traditional leaders, owing to their authority and proximity to the people coupled with their constitutional mandate to preserve customs and traditions. However, their role is often not maximised because of vague and inadequate policies. There has been little or no scholarly attention to the role of traditional leadership and the policy and legal framework that guide their participation in disaster risk management. Employing a comprehensive content analysis of Ugu District Municipality Disaster Management By-law, this article assesses the adequacy of these by-laws on disaster risk governance in the context of collaboration disaster risk reduction. While the Ugu District Municipality Disaster Management By-law provides for the participation of traditional leadership, this study reveals that it is fraught with ambiguities and seemingly vague clauses. For instance, although in Article 5.1.1 the word 'authorities' is used, it is not clear whether this refers to traditional leadership or other entities at the local level. In addition, the composition of the Disaster Management Advisory Forum in Ugu does not explicitly include AmaKhosi. While these results add to the rapidly expanding field of disaster risk management, they also suggest several courses of action for policymakers at local government. Such actions might include, but not limited to, a review of the by-laws to address the lack of collaborative essence relative to traditional leaders for optimal disaster risk reduction initiatives targeting traditional communities.

Coordenação, uniformidade e autonomia na formulação de políticas públicas: experiências federativas no cenário internacional e nacional / Coordination, uniformity, and autonomy in the formulation and implementation of public policies: the federal experience in Brazil and internationally / Coordinación, uniformidad y autonomía en la formulación e implementación de políticas públicas: la experiencia federal en el escenario internacional y nacional

Resumo: O artigo analisa os desafios da formulação e da implementação de políticas públicas no Brasil e em outras federações e destaca as estratégias e os mecanismos desenvolvidos para garantir princípios e parâmetros de políticas públicas nacionais e do federalismo. O artigo discute a adoção de políticas públicas nacionais frente aos principais dilemas das federações: coordenação versus cooperação intergovernamental, uniformidade versus diversidade, autonomia versus compartilhamento de autoridade e centralização versus descentralização. A questão que guia o artigo é se em países federais as diversas esferas de governo são pontos de veto para a adoção de políticas públicas nacionais. Argumento que, na federação brasileira, a engenharia constitucional de 1988 foi capaz de contornar os principais dilemas federativos e os possíveis vetos à adoção de políticas nacionais. Argumenta-se ainda e complementarmente que federações são constituídas de múltiplas dimensões que precisam ser combinadas e analisadas para seu melhor entendimento.

Abstract: This article analyzes the challenges in the formulation and implementation of public policies in Brazil and in other federations and highlights the strategies and mechanisms for guaranteeing principles and parameters for national public policies and federalism. The article discusses the adoption of national public policies in the face of the federations' principal dilemmas: intergovernmental coordination versus cooperation, uniformity versus diversity, autonomy versus shared authority, and centralization versus decentralization. The article's guiding question is whether in federal countries the various spheres of government act to veto the adoption of national public policies. I argue that in the Brazilian federation the Constitutional engineering of 1988 was capable of resolving the main federative dilemmas and the possible vetoes to the adoption of national policies. I further argue that the federations are constituted of multiple dimensions that need to be combined and analyzed in order to better understand them.

Resumen: El artículo analiza los desafíos de la formulación e implementación de políticas públicas en Brasil y en otros estados federales, además de destacar las estrategias y los mecanismos desarrollados para garantizar principios y parámetros de políticas públicas nacionales y federales. El artículo discute la adopción de políticas públicas nacionales frente a los principales dilemas de los estados federales: coordinación versus cooperación intergubernamental, uniformidad versus diversidad, autonomía versus autoridad compartida y centralización versus descentralización. La cuestión que sirve de guía al artículo es si en los países federales las diversas esferas de gobierno son puntos de veto para la adopción de políticas públicas nacionales. Se debe señalar que en el estado federal brasileño, con la creación de la Constitución de 1988, se consiguieron superar los principales dilemas federales, así como los posibles vetos a la adopción de políticas nacionales. No obstante, y de forma complementaria, hay que recalcar que los estados federales están constituidos por múltiples dimensiones que necesitan ser combinadas y analizadas para su mejor comprensión.

Acesso aos medicamentos: aplicação da seletividade constitucional no imposto sobre circulação de mercadorias e serviços / Access to medicines: application of constitutional selectivity in tax on circulation of goods and services

RESUMO O acesso aos medicamentos pode ser limitado pelos seus altos preços impactados pela tributação, especialmente pelo Imposto de Circulação de Mercadorias e Serviços (ICMS). O artigo problematiza a aplicação do princípio constitucional da seletividade no ICMS e sua repercussão na carga tributária dos medicamentos, com reflexo na capacidade de pagamento de medicamentos pelos cidadãos. O método foi de revisão de literatura, com base em documentos, em normas e no referencial teórico de Carrazza. O artigo está dividido em três seções: Caracterização do panorama geral dos tributos incidentes nos medicamentos; Imposto sobre Circulação de Mercadorias e Serviços e Princípio da seletividade como vetor da dignidade da pessoa humana. Identificaram-se alguns contrapontos doutrinários, trazendo, importantes debates sobre a aplicação da seletividade prevista na Constituição brasileira. Verificou-se existência de benefícios fiscais envolvendo os tributos federais aplicáveis sobre os medicamentos no sistema tributário nacional. Conclui-se que a não aplicação do princípio da seletividade no ICMS pode ensejar problemas, especialmente no abandono do tratamento e na ocorrência de gastos superiores ao que as famílias podem suportar, o que afronta o princípio da universalidade da saúde tornando difícil sua equidade.

ABSTRACT Access to medicines may be limited by their high prices impacted by taxation, especially the Tax on Circulation of Goods and Services (ICMS). This paper discusses the application of the principle of selectivity in the ICMS and its impacts on the tax burden of medicines, with a reflection on the ability of citizens to pay for medicines. The method was literature review, based on documents, norms and theoretical background of Carrazza. The article is divided into three sections: General overview of taxes on medicines; Tax on Circulation of Goods and Services and Principle of selectivity as a vector of human dignity. It was also sought to debate the doctrinal counterpoints, bringing important discussions on the application of selectivity foreseen in the Brazilian Constitution. It was possible to verify tax benefits involving the applicable federal taxes on medicines in the national tax system. It is concluded that the non-application of the principle of selectivity in the ICMS can cause problems, especially regarding the abandonment of treatment and in the occurrence of higher expenses than families can afford, which violates the principle of universality of health making its equity difficult.

Bioética: crítica ao principialismo, Constituição brasileira e princípio da dignidade humana / Bioethics: criticism of principialism, Brazilian Constitution and principle of human dignity / Bioética: crítica al principialismo, Constitución Brasileña y principio de la dignidad humana

Resumo Há muito se discute a insuficiência do modelo teórico da bioética proposto por Tom L. Beauchamp e James F. Childress para regular pesquisas na área biomédica. No entanto, nos dias atuais as intervenções tecnológicas manipuladoras da vida humana necessitam cada vez mais de novas formas de tutelar a dignidade das pessoas submetidas a experiências científicas. Dessa forma, este artigo teve por objetivo demonstrar a pertinência do princípio da dignidade para regular pesquisas biomédicas envolvendo seres humanos. Além disso, o estudo demonstrou a insuficiência da corrente principialista como conceito-matriz aplicado a pesquisas com seres humanos na área em questão. A partir da análise do marco axiológico da bioética internacional, direitos e garantias constitucionais e de legislação infraconstitucional e doutrinária, evidenciou-se a pertinência do princípio da dignidade como paradigma para conduzir experimentações científicas com pessoas.

Abstract The insufficiency of the theoretical model of bioethics proposed by Tom L. Beauchamp and James F. Childress for regulating biomedical research has long been discussed. Nowadays technological interventions that manipulate human life are increasingly requiring new ways to protect the dignity of people submitted to scientific experiments. This article aims to demonstrate the relevance of the principle of dignity to regulate biomedical researchs involving human beings. The study demonstrated the insufficiency of the principialist as the main model to apply to research involving human beings in the biomedical area The relevance of the principle of dignity as a paradigm for conducting scientific experiments involving human beings was evidenced through the analysis of the axiological framework of international bioethics, constitutional rights and guarantees, infraconstitutional laws ande legal doctrine.

Resumen Hace tiempo que se discute la insuficiencia del modelo teórico de la bioética propuesto por Tom L. Beauchamp y James F. Childress para regular las investigaciones en el área biomédica. No obstante, en los días actuales las intervenciones tecnológicas manipuladoras de la vida humana vienen requiriendo cada vez más nuevas formas de proteger la dignidad de las personas sometidas a las experiencias científicas. El presente artículo tiene como objetivo demostrar la pertinencia del principio de la dignidad para regular las investigaciones biomédicas que involucran a seres humanos. El estudio demostró la insuficiencia de la corriente principialista como principio matriz aplicado a las investigaciones que involucran a seres humanos en el área biomédica. A partir del análisis del marco axiológico de la bioética internacional, de los derechos y garantías constitucionales, de las legislaciones infraconstitucionales y doctrinales, se evidenció la pertinencia del principio de la dignidad como paradigma para la conducción de las experimentaciones científicas que involucran a seres humanos.

Civilização ou barbárie / Civilization or barbarism

RESUMO O artigo buscou entender os desafios para a construção de uma sociedade amparada em direitos sociais e de cidadania dentro da atual crise do capitalismo e do golpe de 2016. Contextualiza o atual cenário com o qual se defronta para, em seguida, discutir o conflito pela distribuição da riqueza. Posteriormente, traz a discussão do golpe e mostra as diversas tentativas de desconstrução da Constituição de 1988 que culminam na Emenda Constitucional 95. Nesse cenário, observa as perspectivas para o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e conclama à retomada do espírito de 1988.

ABSTRACT The article seeks to understand the challenges for building a society based on social rights and citizenship within the current crisis of capitalism and the coup of 2016. It contextualises the current scenario we face and then discusses the conflict over the distribution of wealth. Next, it brings the discussion of the coup and shows the various attempts to deconstruct the 1988 Constitution which culminate in Constitutional Amendment 95. In that scenario, it observes the perspectives for the Unified Health System (SUS) and calls for a resumption of the spirit of 1988.

Sharing the Air: The Need for Strata Law Reform to Reduce Second-hand Smoke Exposure in Multiunit Housing in Australia.

There is an immediate need to reform Australian State and Territory strata laws to minimise exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) in multiunit housing (MUH), particularly in light of the trend towards higher density living. SHS is a cause of lung cancer and other health problems in nonsmokers and no safe level of exposure has been established. Despite being a common cause of dispute in MUH, currently no strata regime in any State or Territory includes a model by-law that specifically addresses smoking, as is the case with other contentious issues like pets. Smoking disputes can currently be dealt with under general strata provisions on nuisances or hazards, but the case law in this area demonstrates that these provisions can be ineffective in dealing with the serious health issue posed by SHS. With enough votes, owners' corporations can introduce a smoking by-law. However, without legal advice it may be difficult for owners' corporations to develop a by-law they can be confident falls within their by-law making powers. With several jurisdictions currently reviewing their strata laws, there is a valuable opportunity to sensibly reform the law in the interests of public health. In this article, we survey the legal landscape and consider options for a model by-law on smoking.

Promoting the APS Chapter Program by sharing its history, best practices, and how-to guide for establishing new chapters.

Early establishment of physiological societies in Oklahoma and Ohio demonstrated the benefits of networking physiologists and paved the way for establishing the APS Chapter Program. Designed to promote the general objectives of the APS, the Chapter Program was officially launched in 1995, with Ohio being the first recognized chapter. There are 13 active chapters regularly engaged in numerous activities designed to advance physiology education and research. In the hopes that others will recognize the important offerings of state chapters and consider organizing one, the aims for this paper are to 1) share a brief history, 2) provide rationale for chapter initiation, and 3) describe the process involved in establishing a chapter. In light of current changes in American Medical Association and Liaison Committee on Medical Education guidelines, the present time may be critical in promoting chapters, as they play a vital role in sustaining recognition and support for the discipline.

O esporte como um direito: traços e tramas da constituição de uma verdade / Deporte como un derecho: rasgos y gráficos de formación de la verdad / Sport as a right: traits and plots of formation of truth

Este artigo tem como objetivo problematizar o estatuto de verdade assumido pelo esporte no Brasil, que o produz como um direito, garantido pelo Estado a todo e qualquer cidadão. Em termos de investimento metodológico, foram acionadas algumas ferramentas da genealogia foucaultiana, absolutamente imbricada com a arqueologia, adotando-se, como corpus de análise, as leis e decretos que foram implementados a partir da Constituição de 1988. Ao finalizar este trabalho, evidenciaram-se enunciados diversos, compondo, assim, um regime de verdade que busca produzir o esporte enquanto um direito naturalmente aceito e sempre presente na vida de todo e qualquer brasileiro.

This article aims at debating the status of truth taken on by sport in Brazil, which produces it as a right that is guaranteed by the State to every citizen. Methodology included some tools of Foucaltian genealogy, which is absolutely imbricated with archeology. Laws and decrees implemented since the 1988 Constitution were adopted as a corpus of analysis. The work found many statements that make up a truth regime that seeks to produce sport as a naturally accepted right that is always present in the lives of all Brazilians.

Este artículo tiene como objetivo problematizar el estatuto de verdad asumido por el deporte en Brasil, que lo produce como un derecho, garantizado por el Estado a todo y cualquier ciudadano. En términos de inversión metodológica, fueron accionadas algunas herramientas de la genealogía foucaultiana, absolutamente imbricada con la arqueología, adoptando, como corpus de análisis, las leyes y decretos que fueron implementados a partir de la Constitución de 1988. Al finalizar este trabajo, se evidenciaron enunciados diversos, componiendo, así, un régimen de verdad que busca producir el deporte como un derecho naturalmente aceptado y siempre presente en la vida de todo y cualquier brasileño.

A garantia ao direito à convivência familiar e comunitária em foco / The ensure the right to live in a family and community environment on focus

Este estudo objetivou discutir criticamente a legislação brasileira, em especial o Código de Menores, o Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente e a Nova Lei da Adoção, no que tange à garantia do direito à convivência familiar e comunitária de crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados. Foi realizada uma análise teórica assistemática da legislação brasileira, com base em pesquisas documentais e bibliográficas. A análise demonstra uma importante evolução tanto no entendimento da infância e juventude quanto nas formas de enfrentamento e atendimento a crianças e adolescentes em situação de vulnerabilidade social. Apesar de o Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente já representar um avanço em comparação ao Código de Menores, a Nova Lei Nacional da Adoção configura-se um verdadeiro motor para a mudança de paradigma, tendo em vista que apresenta diretrizes específicas para a garantia do direito à convivência familiar e comunitária de crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados.(AU)

The aim of this study was to critically discuss Brazilian law, especially the Children's Code, Children and Adolescent Statute and New National Adoption Law, with regard to guaranteeing the right of institutionalized children and adolescents to live in a family and community environment. Theoretical and unsystematic analysis was performed of the Brazilian legislation based on bibliographical and documentary research. Analysis of legislation shows an important development both in the understanding of childhood and youth as well as in the ways to handle and assist children and adolescents in a situation of social vulnerability. Although Children and Adolescent Statute represents an advance compared with the Children' Code, the New National Adoption Law is a real engine for paradigm changes, since it presents specific guidelines to guarantee of the right of institutionalized children and adolescents to live in a family and community environment.(AU)

A garantia ao direito à convivência familiar e comunitária em foco / The ensure the right to live in a family and community environment on focus

Este estudo objetivou discutir criticamente a legislação brasileira, em especial o Código de Menores, o Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente e a Nova Lei da Adoção, no que tange à garantia do direito à convivência familiar e comunitária de crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados. Foi realizada uma análise teórica assistemática da legislação brasileira, com base em pesquisas documentais e bibliográficas. A análise demonstra uma importante evolução tanto no entendimento da infância e juventude quanto nas formas de enfrentamento e atendimento a crianças e adolescentes em situação de vulnerabilidade social. Apesar de o Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente já representar um avanço em comparação ao Código de Menores, a Nova Lei Nacional da Adoção configura-se um verdadeiro motor para a mudança de paradigma, tendo em vista que apresenta diretrizes específicas para a garantia do direito à convivência familiar e comunitária de crianças e adolescentes institucionalizados.

The aim of this study was to critically discuss Brazilian law, especially the Children's Code, Children and Adolescent Statute and New National Adoption Law, with regard to guaranteeing the right of institutionalized children and adolescents to live in a family and community environment. Theoretical and unsystematic analysis was performed of the Brazilian legislation based on bibliographical and documentary research. Analysis of legislation shows an important development both in the understanding of childhood and youth as well as in the ways to handle and assist children and adolescents in a situation of social vulnerability. Although Children and Adolescent Statute represents an advance compared with the Children' Code, the New National Adoption Law is a real engine for paradigm changes, since it presents specific guidelines to guarantee of the right of institutionalized children and adolescents to live in a family and community environment.

Conhecimento, Cidadania e Direito do Idoso: relatos pós-Lei nº 10.741/2003 / Knowledge, Citizenship and Elderly´s Rights: reports in light of the Brazilian federal act n.10.741/2003

O conceito de cidadania implica a ligação de um indivíduo a um determinado Estado-Nação, através de direitos e deveres mútuos. No momento em que o envelhecimento se tornou um fenômeno universal e local, é importante estudar como os idosos percebem sua cidadania, como eles praticam e vivenciam este elo especial, sobretudo após o advento da Lei nº 10.741/ 2003,1 o Estatuto do Idoso,que lhes assevera prerrogativas próprias e os conforma como categoria específica de sujeitos de direito. Para este propósito, um questionário foi aplicado a 14 indivíduos, todos membros de uma Universidade para Terceira Idade no Rio de Janeiro, perguntando-lhes sobre reconhecimento de seus direitos e sobre a função e eficácia do Poder Judiciário brasileiro. Esta investigação demonstrou que grande parte deles não reconhece suas necessidades e demandas como questões legais, considerando-as como parte natural do envelhecimento, o que indica a distância entre direitos proclamados e direitos vividos.

The concept of citizenship implies a link between one individual and a particular Nation-State through mutual rights and duties. At this moment, when ageing has become both a universal and a local phenomenon, it is important to study how elderly people perceive citizenship, how they practice and live this special link, specially in light of the federal act 10.741 of 2003 (The Elderly Statute). For this purpose, a questionnaire was applied to 14 elderly individuals (61-83 years old), all members of a U3A (University of Third Age) at Rio de Janeiro, asking them about the recognition of their rights and the function and efficacy of the Brazilian Judicial Power. The investigation shows that most of them do not recognize their needs and demands as legal problems but rather consider them as a natural part of aging, what indicates that there is a distance between promulgated rights and lived rights.