In search of a human rights-based approach to drug policy : an analysis of drug policies in Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands
In search of a human rights-based approach to drug policy : an analysis of drug policies in Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands
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Date
2022
Authors
Ptak, Patrycja
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Abstract
Drug policy has been triggering vivid discussions for years. The system of drug control is based on three
UN conventions, with the last adopted in 1988. Given the scientific and legal progress around the topic
of drugs, it is obvious that these regulations might be outdated and insufficient as state guidelines.
Therefore, some states have adopted innovative approaches, focusing on individual drug users rather than
just regulating substance use, demand and supply through criminalisation and law enforcement efforts.
From these states, the author chose three European countries, that in her opinion present the most human
rights-based and evidence-based approaches to drug policy. After presenting the history of drug
regulation and the international framework, the author presents German, Dutch and Portuguese drug
policies in order to assess their compatibility with the human rights-based approach (HRBA). The
assessment is done by analysing some objective data, such as drug use rate and drug-related deaths
prevalence and by gathering data on possible limitations of analysed drug policies by conducting
interviews with NGOs representatives and social workers in Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal. The
thesis concludes with an assessment of the drug policies implemented in Germany, the Netherlands and
Portugal, and some suggestions for improvements that could be introduced to make them more human
rights-based.
Description
Second semester University: Université du Luxembourg
Keywords
drug,
drug control,
human rights,
criminal law,
The Netherlands,
Germany,
Portugal,
case studies,
comparative politics,
right to health