Ukraine Adopts New Drug Policy

The war on drugs is a major setback to those working within harm reduction and the public health sphere. While the concept of reducing drug use is nice in theory, the war on drugs has proven to be extremely ineffective in actually reducing this epidemic. Worldwide, drug use is criminalized on various levels, meaning that there is no regulation of substances, and those who use drugs do so in fear and without safe practices. As HIV, especially within Russia and much of Eastern Europe, is linked closely with drug use, strict criminalization of drugs and lack of effective harm reduction (i.e. methadone therapy, needle exchange, etc) not only increases the health risks of those using the drugs, but also the spouses and children within their lives. Socially significant diseases such as HIV, TB and hepatitis feed on the unsafe practices of drug users. As the history of the war on drugs has shown us, putting people in prison for using and dealing drugs is not an effective way to actually reduce drug use or to curb the diseases spread through it. What has been shown as effective are needle exchange centers, sterile drug injection sites and methadone therapy. While these methods are controversial, even among the former drug users whom I work with, it cannot be disputed that within the sphere of public health they are essential. 

Ukraine, a country plagued by drug use and the social diseases associated with it, recently changed its drug policy. The new policy is no longer about "combatting drugs" but rather "addressing drugs." While Russia is far off from adopting such a progressive stance, it is positive to see our neighbors using evidence-based methods to help people rather than wage an endless war with no hope of success.

Read more about the new policy: http://www.narkopolityka.pl/en