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Roundtable discussion «European Integration Processes, Legislative Harmonization, and a Balanced Drug Policy Based on Human Rights in Ukraine», 7 April, Kyiv

Vytenis Andriukaitis, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and member of the ECECAD contributed to the round table on April 7, 2025

The round table gathered together decision makers, experts, civil society in order to develop strategic recommendations for the harmonization of Ukrainian drug laws and sub-laws with the EU standards in the context of EU accession perspectives.

“I want to emphasize that EU accession process is a great window of opportunity to make reforms in many spheres and in drug policy in particular.”—Mr. Andriukaitis stated.

MEP Andriukaitis emphasized the following critical elements of drug policy reform in Ukraine: 

  1. Ukraine should prioritize adoption of the National Drug Strategy until 2030 and its Operational Plan, taking into account the challenges posed by the full-scale war. The Strategy should ensure transition from a punitive model to a policy, based on public health and human rights principles. This approach includes the de-stigmatization of individuals with substance use disorders and ensuring their access to medical and social support.
  2. Decriminalization of simple drug possession is another priority. Ukrainian law provides harsh criminal provisions for simple drug possession (for personal use, without aim to sell). The simple possession of small quantities for personal use leads to incarceration.

Decriminalization of drug possession for personal use reduces the stigma and discrimination that hampers access to health care, harm reduction and legal services. Multiple UN and regional human rights mechanisms have found that criminalisation of personal drug use negatively affects a person’s health and well-being, recommending the decriminalisation of personal drug use. 

Additionally, the EU’s drug strategy provides that “drug consumption and/or drug possession for personal use or possession of small amounts DO NOT constitute a criminal offence in many Member States, or there is the option to refrain from imposing criminal sanctions”.

Thus, Ukraine should repeal criminal prosecution simple drug possession (for personal use and without intent to distribute)