Global Commission calls for end to punitive drug policies for children

The Global Commission on Drug Policy has released a new policy brief calling for a fundamental shift in drug policy to prioritize the rights and protection of children and young people. The report argues for moving away from punitive, coercive, and exclusionary approaches toward evidence-based strategies grounded in health and human rights.

According to the Commission, current punitive laws often expose minors to arrest, detention, and violence, while separating them from families and disrupting education. The brief highlights that children and young people are profoundly affected by drug enforcement regardless of drug use, yet they remain largely invisible in policy development. For instance, of approximately 300 resolutions adopted by the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs between 2000 and 2026, only 19 specifically focused on children and young people.

Proposed alternatives include early intervention through mental health services, family support programs, educational reintegration, and restorative socio-educational measures. Helen Clark, Chair of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, stated that protecting children requires following evidence and upholding their rights rather than criminalizing them or denying them essential healthcare.