IDPC members agree to promote five core policy principles in our advocacy work with governments and international agencies. 

1. Drug policies should be developed through an objective assessment of priorities and evidence.
2. Drug policies should comply with national, regional and international human rights principles, laws and standards.
3. Drug policies should focus on reducing the harmful consequences, rather than the scale, of drug use and markets.
4. Drug policies should promote social justice and the inclusion of marginalised groups, rather than focus on punitive measures towards them.
5. Drug policies should be developed and implemented based on open and constructive relationships with civil society and affected populations.