Decriminalisation, legal regulation & reform

Decriminalisation

Publications11 November 2024

Ireland: Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use - Interim Report

The interim report makes recommendations in favour of decriminalisation, enhancing treatment options, expanded harm reduction options, and addressing social inequity.

News11 November 2024

Racial profiling and drugs: the United Nations reprimand Italy

The UN Human Rights Council denounced the country's racialised drug policing and recommended the decriminalisation of simple possession and the de-prioritisation of people involved in retail.

News7 November 2024

It's been 12 months since small amounts of illicit drugs were decriminalised in the Australian Capital Territory

Despite initial reservations, rates of drug use have remained similar while access to harm reduction services has increased.

Publications4 October 2024

UN CESCR reports reveal drug policy and harm reduction shortcomings in seven countries

Recent UN CESCR observations on a seven countries emphasise the need for rights- and health-based drug policies, including decriminalisation and access to harm reduction.

News2 October 2024

Ireland: GPs and pharmacists support removal of criminal sanctions for drug users

The Irish College of General Practitioners and the Irish Pharmacy Union said that drug use should be decriminalised and paired with health-based interventions to combat rising rates of drug-related death.

News2 October 2024

Canada: Drug decriminalisation is under attack

Communities must unite against the political weaponisation of the overdose crisis and defend human-rights-focused solutions such as decriminalisation and harm reduction.

News2 October 2024

Thailand decides not to re-criminalise cannabis as it eyes $1bn medicinal industry

The proposed system would restrict access beyond medicinal use.

Publications2 October 2024

Visit to Mexico - Report of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

The expert group recommended the government abandons the punitive approach to drug use and dealing, and seek alternatives to detention.

Publications1 October 2024

Criminal legal system engagement among people who use drugs in Oregon following decriminalization of drug possession

Smiley-McDonald et al. find that despite decriminalisation, people who use drugs in Oregon continued to face high levels of policing, incarceration and drug seizures, whilst awareness of decriminalisation remained low.

News1 October 2024

Mauritius: Support. Don't Punish Conference report 2024

Collectif Urgence Toxida (CUT) report the outcomes of the Support. Don't Punish 2024 Conference in Mauritius, which unpacked harm reduction strategies, called for urgent drug policy reform in the nation and highlighted decriminalisation best practices.

News26 September 2024

Decriminalising drug use can help save lives, redirect resources for infectious diseases, says Malaysia deputy health minister

Deputy Minister Lukanisman said decriminalisation challenges stigma, facilitates access to health services, and tackles social injustice and called on international leaders to consider this policy.

News23 September 2024

Descheduling the coca leaf is a step toward decolonising drug policy - Statement at HRC57 panel discussion on the rights of Indigenous Peoples

The decision to include the coca leaf in the 1961 Single Convention was mired in colonialist and racist bias.

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