Decriminalisation, legal regulation & reform

Decriminalisation

News6 March 2025

Human rights, harm reduction and drug policy: Redoubling efforts reform and funding efforts - IDPC statement at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council

IDPC calls on governments to end drug-related human rights abuses, invest in harm reduction, and align drug policies with human rights and protect the HIV response.

Events

Support. Don’t Punish Global Day of Action 2025

World

26 June 2025

Join us on 26 June 2025 to reclaim power, resist injustice, and reform harmful drug laws through collective action in international solidarity.

News20 February 2025

A new dawn for the failed war on drugs

Against the harmful impacts of prohibition, world leaders increasingly embrace public health and harm reduction.

Events

Decriminalisation and the rights of young people who use drugs

Online

18 February 2025 - 20 February 2025

This workshop from YouthRISE will discuss youth-centred legal approaches and advocacy for youth empowerment.

Events

Drugs and decriminalisation in Asia: Global updates on drug decriminalisation

Online

28 February 2025

This webinar aims to present updates on developments in decriminalisation around the world, the backlash in Oregon (US), British Columbia (Canada) and Porto (Portugal), and to discuss their impacts on drug policy and advocacy in Asia.

News10 February 2025

Australia: Canberra cultivators mainly grow 'mild and modest' cannabis, study finds

While the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) decriminalised cannabis cultivation, restrictions on seeds and possession limits mean most growers unintentionally break the law.

Publications16 January 2025

Cultivating ecosystems of change for lasting impact: The Support. Don’t Punish 2024 Global Day of Action – Summary report

The Support. Don't Punish Global Day of Action reflects the growing movement against the 'war on drugs', uniting communities under a shared banner to demand rights-affirming drug policies, harm reduction, and collective action for a fairer future.

Events

International Drug Policy Reform Conference 2025

Detroit, United States

12 November 2025 - 15 November 2025

The Reform Conference convenes the growing and dynamic drug policy reform movement.

Publications15 January 2025

Reducing harm, protecting life - IDPC joins 3 civil society reports to inform the UN CESCR's review of Kenya and the UK

Ahead of the UN CESCR's 77th Session, IDPC supports three bold submissions in Kenya and the UK, assessing their drug policies and human rights records, and demanding urgent reform.

Publications15 January 2025

Tackling intersectional stigma in healthcare access for marginalized communities in CEECA

SWAN examines the social justice impact of intersecting identities and provides recommendations for improving services, rights-based programs, and advocacy.

Publications14 January 2025

The World Drug Report 2024: A failed attempt to reframe the right to health of people who use drugs

IDPC's assessment of the World Drug Report's chapter on the right to health suggests that UNODC prioritises its own policy interests over reflecting the negative impacts of the 'war on drugs' and the most recent guidance on the matter.

News13 January 2025

Harm reduction must replace punitive drug policies

The Lancet calls to repair the harms of punitive drug policies, starting with their repeal and adequate investment in systems of care and support.

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