Norway’s drug laws could be an example for the rest of the world, leading healthcare and police figures from around the world have said.
Drug policy in the Scandinavian country is no longer a criminal matter but one of public health – a move that has been widely praised by experts.
Now 20 international policymakers and stakeholders from 10 countries have outlined a number of further reforms to ensure the policy platform can work as an even better template for other countries to follow.
In a joint letter sent to Norway’s health minister, Bent Høie, they provide a number of suggestions to minimise the stain of drug use on society.
It calls for the decriminalisation of non-violent drug offences, investment in treatment programmes and aftercare facilities, along with drug substitution therapies.
“We hope the Minister of Health in Norway as well as the global community will consider these recommendations in their important effort to change both Norwegian and global drug policy reform initiative,” the letter states.
