Drug Decriminalization: Addiction Cure?

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Drug decriminalization is examined in this comprehensive review of global evidence-based studies, published by the Journal of Community Safety and Well-Being. This review raises serious doubts about this current approach and offers proven solutions for Canada’s addiction crisis. 🔎

The Relationship Between the Legal Status of Drug Possession and the Criminalization of Marginalized Drug Users: A Literature Review

Journal of Community Safety & Well-Being, Vol 7(4), November 2022
Akm Moniruzzaman, Stefanie N., Rezansoff, and Julian M. Somers*

Abstract

The longstanding association between addiction, crime, and mortality has become increasingly severe in Canada, affecting larger numbers of individuals and communities. Diverse and irreconcilable courses of action have been proposed involving the decriminalization of drug possession, expanded resources to promote recovery from addiction, or both. The current review used the PICOTS method to identify peer-reviewed publications that reported outcomes of reducing the criminal consequences of drug possession and the specific relationship between law reform and the well-being of people who are at greatest risk for poisoning. We separately included notable reports and grey literature discussing the experience of Portugal following the implementation of the National Drug Strategy. Over 2,500 articles were retrieved from three databases, with six meeting all inclusion/exclusion criteria. An additional five manuscripts were retrieved specific to Portugal.

The evidence reviewed indicates that drug decriminalization alone is associated with potential harms to drug users and their communities, and that potential benefits may be realized when law reform is closely coordinated with the provision of evidence-based resources that promote recovery from addiction. The evidence summarized in this review supports careful consideration of the factors necessary to promote social reintegration among people who are at highest risk for drug-related harms, including repeated criminal offending and death.

 

 

The Journal of CSWB is a peer-reviewed and open access publication that is positioned to be the authoritative global resource for high-impact research that, uniquely, spans all human service and criminal justice sectors, with an emphasis on their intersections and collaborations. The Journal showcases the latest research, whether originating from within Canada or from around the world, that is relevant to Canadian and international communities and professionals. 

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