Ghana is moving to realise the promises of the 2020 drug law reform, prioritising a health and rights approach, and offering alternatives to conviction and incarceration.
This Wise Wednesday webinar covers what the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use could look like in South Africa, and how it can advance health and human rights.
The report outlines key barriers to harm reduction in Africa and proposes rights-based, community-led strategies to expand access, strengthen systems, and ensure sustainable, evidence-based responses.
Recent health data reveal that Ghana's Narcotics Control Commission Act (2020) has worsened HIV outcomes by failing to bring about a public health approach to drugs.
Punitive drug laws are fuelling corruption, strengthening illicit markets and misdirecting police resources, while failing to improve community safety.
Ashton et al. find that these devices can reduce health risks for people who smoke crack cocaine, highlighting an overlooked harm reduction intervention with clear public health benefits.
Klantschnig et al. show how dominant state narratives suppress community perspectives, reinforce prohibition, and marginalise livelihoods, revealing why meaningful change remains elusive.
South African directive to end unnecessary syringe and needle confiscation prompts support from Special Rapporteur Mofokeng, citing the importance of rights-based intervention.
