Newsflash Georgia: Citizens Mobilize to Amend Country’s Drug Laws

On December 10th, International Human Rights Day, the Georgian Harm Reduction Network submitted 58,000 signatures in support of draft legislation aimed at humanizing the country’s punitive drug policies.
 
Key provisions of the proposed legislation include elimination of criminal liability for drug use; clearer delineation between the offenses of possession of drugs for personal use and for dealing; removal of administrative fines for drug use; elimination of laws restricting drug users from certain professions; and establishment of specific State obligations to provide treatment for drug dependence.
 
The group noted that this is one of the only times in Georgia’s history that citizens have exercised their constitutional right to initiate changes in legislation. They were amazed by the groundswell of support, with thousands of signatures collected each day for 40 days. The total collected is nearly double the number required under the Georgian constitution.

Georgia’s current drug policies are some of the most restrictive in Europe, with thousands of people tested and punished for simple drug use each year. The presence of even small traces of a psychoactive substance is punishable by administrative and criminal law. In 2007 alone, more than 20 million U.S. dollars were collected through high fines imposed on drug users. At the same time, drug treatment options and services for drug users are currently limited.

Georgian groups will continue to pressure the parliament for changes as they review the draft legislation, which will likely take place early in the new year.
 
For more information, please visit the website of the Georgian Harm Reduction Network at http://www.ziani.ge/English/News.htm. 

The OSI International Harm Reduction Development Program publishes periodic newsflashes highlighting recent developments in international efforts to reduce harms associated with drug use.