Decriminalisation, legal regulation & reform

Decriminalisation

Publications22 July 2026

Estimated effect of decriminalization on opioid overdose mortality rates in Oregon, USA

Gilmour et al. find no statistically observable impact of Oregon’s drug decriminalisation policy on opioid overdose mortality, challenging claims that the reform caused the state’s rise in deaths.

News20 July 2026

End the criminalisation of drug use

Record drug seizures, falling retail prices and overcrowded prisons expose the failure of punitive drug control across South-East Asia and strengthen the case for decriminalisation.

News20 July 2026

Interior Ministry pushes for full implementation of Ghana’s drug law

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.

News20 July 2026

Rastafarians in Kenya fail in bid to get cannabis legalised for religious purposes

Kenya’s High Court acknowledged the need for a wider debate on reform, but upheld criminalisation.

Events

29th Harm Reduction International Conference - HR27

Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

9 May 2027 - 12 May 2027

The conference focuses on the latest research and discussions on best practice in drug use, harm reduction and human rights.

IDPC in the Media20 July 2026

Why Section 39C is failing Malaysia’s drug policy

Malay Mail

News20 July 2026

Why Section 39C is failing Malaysia’s drug policy

The law imposes mandatory prison sentences on people repeatedly charged for drug use, deepening poverty and marginalisation, while failing to address health issues.

Publications20 July 2026

Civil society statements of priorities for the 2026 United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS

Civil society and community networks call for the Political Declaration to protect community leadership, advance decriminalisation, sustainably finance harm reduction and place human rights at the centre.

Blog13 July 2026

The REFORM Project: Growing the drug policy reform movement in Southeast Asia

The REFORM project demonstrated how community leadership, legal empowerment and media engagement can create mutually reinforcing pathways to advance health and rights-based drug policies.

News6 July 2026

From punishment to care: Let communities lead — Statement at the UNAIDS PCB 58th meeting's thematic segment on harm reduction

IDPC urged Member States to move from punishment to care by decriminalising drug use, funding harm reduction, and backing the communities already protecting life.

News26 June 2026

UN experts call to break the cycle: from punishment to care and support for all

27 UN human rights experts from 19 mandates call for a fundamental shift towards decriminalisation, harm reduction, evidence-based regulation, care and support, warning that punitive and militarised drug policies continue to drive serious human rights violations.

Events

Drug policy reform in Southeast Asia: Prospects for decriminalisation

Online

25 June 2026

Marking Support. Don’t Punish 2026, IDPC and partners host a regional discussion on progress towards decriminalisation, highlighting reform opportunities grounded in health, human rights and community leadership.

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