The Social Justice Center annually evaluates the drug situation and the related changes in the country.[1] The report reviews drug policy trends in 2022, identifies key challenges, and suggests recommendations tailored to advance the rights of persons accused/convicted of drug-related crimes and persons with substance use disorder.

Systemic drug policy reform was not a politically relevant or broadly discussed topic yet again. No significant legislative amendments or fundamentally innovative approaches were implemented toward preventing drug addiction or treatment/rehabilitation. Therefore, the existing challenges in the field have remained relatively the same. Restrictive measures implemented to combat COVID-19 in force for the previous two years were significantly eased/removed in the reporting period. In light of this, while reviewing trends of the drug situation 2022, it is particularly interesting to assess the impact of the pandemic and Covid-regulations on the detection of drug-related crimes.

The report analyzes the measures the state took in drug policy in 2022, including the steps taken to prevent drug-related crimes. The report also reviews the statistical data regarding certain stages of the criminal procedure and administrative liability.

This publication has been produced by Social Justice Center with the assistance of the European Union, within the project “Empowering civil society and professional organizations to ensure safe, secure and accountable society in Georgia” and with the financial support from the Global Fund within the sub-grant programme provided by the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA) in the framework of the regional project “Sustainability of services for key populations in the region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia” (SoS project 2.0). The views expressed in this publication are solely those of Social Justice Center and do not necessarily reflect the views of the donors.

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