Current Georgian legislation for drug policy is one of the strictest in the world. In addition to the fact that general use of drugs is considered a criminal offence, inadequately severe sanctions for other types of drug offences (purchase/storage, cultivation) are in place. For about ¾ of drugs, the legislation does not distinguish between small and medium (initial criminal liability) amounts; this means that possession of the smallest particles of drugs is viewed as large amount by the law and is punishable by several years of imprisonment.Criminalization and isolation result in further marginalization of these groups and increases social vulnerability for them and their families. At the same time, they remain under constant attention of the law enforcements. The desire of the police to “co-operate” with them and use them as resource of information creates the risk for psychological and physical pressure.

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