Decriminalisation of drug possession does not lead to increase in drug use, a new report has found.
As part of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, we have consistently called for countries to experiment with new approaches to tackling drugs.
Now new research from Release, a UK drug policy organisation, illustrates how countries that have already taken the brave step of changing their drugs policies are not experiencing adverse effects.
The study (A Quiet Revolution: Drug Decriminalisation Policies in Practice across the Globe) reviews the evidence in 21 countries that have adopted some form of decriminalisation, from the Netherlands to Estonia, Australia to Mexico, Uruguay to Portugal.
The report states: “The harms of criminalisation far outweigh those of decriminalisation. Decriminalisation does appear to direct more drug users into treatment, reduce criminal justice costs, and shield many drug users from the devastating impact of a criminal conviction.
“A decriminalisation approach coupled with investment in harm reduction and treatment services can have a positive impact on both individual drug users and society as a whole.”
Belize is the latest country to consider decriminalising drugs, announcing the appointment of a committee to evaluate a proposal to decriminalise marijuana possession.
This is just one more step in proving how decriminalisation of drugs is a viable option for governments around the globe. The more this issue is debated, the further we can move away from the failed war on drugs.
By Richard Branson. Founder of Virgin Group
As part of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, we have consistently called for countries to experiment with new approaches to tackling drugs.
Now new research from Release, a UK drug policy organisation, illustrates how countries that have already taken the brave step of changing their drugs policies are not experiencing adverse effects.
The study (A Quiet Revolution: Drug Decriminalisation Policies in Practice across the Globe) reviews the evidence in 21 countries that have adopted some form of decriminalisation, from the Netherlands to Estonia, Australia to Mexico, Uruguay to Portugal.
The report states: “The harms of criminalisation far outweigh those of decriminalisation. Decriminalisation does appear to direct more drug users into treatment, reduce criminal justice costs, and shield many drug users from the devastating impact of a criminal conviction.
“A decriminalisation approach coupled with investment in harm reduction and treatment services can have a positive impact on both individual drug users and society as a whole.”
Belize is the latest country to consider decriminalising drugs, announcing the appointment of a committee to evaluate a proposal to decriminalise marijuana possession.
This is just one more step in proving how decriminalisation of drugs is a viable option for governments around the globe. The more this issue is debated, the further we can move away from the failed war on drugs.
By Richard Branson. Founder of Virgin Group
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