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DRUG POLICY /
Analytical Documents
A Vision for Drug Policy Reform
As of 2021, approximately 50,000 injecting drug users (IDUs) lived in Georgia, - 2.23% of the country's adult population.[1] With this indicators, Georgia ranks first in the world.[2] For decades, exceptionally harsh punishments have been applied to drug crimes in Georgia, however, this has not led to a decrease in the number of people using psychoactive substances in the country. It should be noted that the consumption of non-injectable drugs also poses a significant challenge in the country.[3]
Evidence-based drug policy reform is essential to effectively address the health and social challenges arising from drug use. The reform's goal should be to fundamentally shift away from the current punitive approach to drug-related offenses, embracing policies centered on care, prevention, and support. We believe that drug policy reform should prioritize three key areas:
- Revising repressive legislation
- Expanding and improving healthcare services (harm reduction, treatment, rehabilitation, and social integration programs)
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive approach to substance abuse prevention
The reform should include a thorough revision of existing drug-related laws and a significant reduction in penalties, especially for personal use and possession of small amounts of illicit drugs. Moreover, the reform should introduce a new model of treatment and psychosocial support for people with substance use disorders, addressing both their health and social needs. As part of the broader reform, a plan should be adopted to introduce and expand effective prevention programs at the school level. These programs, tailored to the country's specific context and informed by international best practices, should aim to strengthen the social skills of young people and reduce the likelihood of substance use in this group.
It is of paramount importance that all three priority areas of reform are developed through substansive consultations with and active involvement of relevant professional groups. At the same time, the reform should be based on the accumulated experience and evidence in the fields of health care, education sciences and human rights.
Footnote and Bibliography
[1] Determining the size of the injecting drug user population in Georgia, 2022, is available at: https://cutt.ly/KegZL7SP.
[2] Degenhardt L, et al. Epidemiology of injecting drug use, prevalence of injecting-related harm, and exposure to behavioural and environmental risks among people who inject drugs: a systematic review. The Lancet Global Health. 2023;11(5):e659-e72. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00057-8.
[3] Addiction Research Center Alternative Georgia, Survey of Psychoactive Substance Use in the General Population, 2023, available at: https://cutt.ly/LeWJBnLS.
