International drug policies with perspective

The debate on drug policy issues is more topical and urgent than ever. The developments of recent years are clear: the cultivation, production, and use of illicit drugs are increasing. The illicit cultivation of coca is at an all-time high. Never before has more cocaine been seized in Germany and Europe. The number of annual deaths attributed to the use of drugs is rising significantly in many countries, including Germany. At the same time, drug use is increasingly shifting to the global south, where countries must face this growing challenge.

The negative effects of drug economies are manifold and particularly devastating in developing countries. They undermine the development and functioning of entire states and societies. Small-scale farmers, living in poverty and without legal economic alternatives, are often forced to cultivate illicit drug crops. Conflict actors in civil wars and criminal networks finance themselves through the participation in the drug economy. These economies are usually accompanied by massive corruption and violence, which destroy the legitimacy of democratic institutions.

In many producing countries, the cultivation and production of illicit drugs is directly linked to deforestation, soil degradation, and water pollution. The unsustainable spraying of illicit crops with herbicides as a countermeasure also causes massive environmental damage.

People with problematic drug use are often denied access to urgently needed health care, leading to fatal consequences for both individuals and public health. Instead, small-scale producers and consumers are often criminalised. Governments frequently respond exclusively with police and military actions, which often violate basic human rights. The lack of access to health care for people who use drugs spreads diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.

Against this background, new responses to the global drug problem must be formulated, and proven approaches must be considered internationally. Drug policies that do not incorporate development approaches, public health measures, and respect for human rights are not sustainable and often exacerbate the negative effects of the illicit drug economy. This is where the Global Partnership on Drug Policies and Development (GPDPD) comes in. The aim of the GPDPD is to shape sustainable drug policies at the global level. The focus is on people, the protection of their fundamental rights, and the satisfaction of their basic needs. Sustainable drug policies also contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.