New policy brief calls for a decriminalisation model whereby all drugs are decriminalised

The criminalisation of use, possession for personal use, and other related behaviours may have negative impact on people who use drugs, local communities, and the whole society, particularly in terms of access to health and social services.

 

Several actors in the field of drug policy have indicated that a punitive approach is counterproductive to achieving the health and welfare of humankind and many UN agencies have reported the negative impact of criminalisation on people who use drugs and on their surrounding communities.

 

The decriminalisation of drug use and related activities is a policy option that is widely supported as a core component of a human rights- and health-based approach towards people who use drugs. Decriminalisation refers to the removal of criminal status from a certain behaviour or action. This does not mean that the behaviour is legal, as non-criminal penalties may still be applied. This process aims to remove the stigma against people who use drugs as well as to ensure that they have access to a broad range of support and health services, including prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction.