European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policy
ENCOD
ENCOD is a European network of organizations, companies and citizens who want an end to the war on drugs.
ID: 331952831201-01
Lobbying Activity
Response to EU Drugs Agenda and Action Plan
15 Jul 2020
RECOMMENDATIONS
The authorities should consider the protection of the rights of drug users and public health instead of punishment that stigmatises and criminalises users and lends ground for organized crime and violence associated with drug trafficking.
Establish action protocols for law enforcement on drugs clearly respecting Human Rights. Reduce the wide-range of law enforcement arbitrariness, preferably through smart law design. The area of cooperation between countries should address corruption as a cross-cutting issue to prevent harm to society and public security.
Promote debate on drugs to renew drug policy together with Civil Society within the frame of Public Health and Human Rights. Consider practice-based evidence and facilitate the right to research and reliable information on drugs. Acknowledge responsible, adult use of drugs as a common heritage of mankind and take it out of the penal system.
Develop services addressed to the existing demand from a non-stigmatizing approach, such as implementing Drug Consumption Rooms and Drug Testing services. Harm Reduction entities should ensure inclusive and coherent services for drug users.
The main demand identified as a trend to be overtaken into the next period is cannabis policy, In all the countries, there is a claim for the accessibility of cannabis in some way. Regulation of cannabis for different purposes, including medicinal, therapeutic and recreational is a necessity. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) have to be taken into consideration and cannabis should be considered as one of the tools.
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