French Drug Policy Reform Group Launches Petition to Decriminalize Drug Use
The CNPD launches a petition to decriminalize drug use in France, aiming for 100,000 signatures by 2027 to prompt legislative review
Key Points
- 1CNPD launches petition to decriminalize drug use in France
- 2The petition seeks 100,000 signatures by 2027 for legislative review
- 3Marie Ongün-Rombaldi advocates health over repression in drug policy
- 4The proposal aims to reform the public health code
- 5CNPD includes diverse organizations advocating for drug policy reform
In a significant move towards drug policy reform in France, the Collective for a New Drug Policy (CNPD) has launched a petition to decriminalize drug use. This initiative was announced on June 26, 2023, coinciding with the international 'Support Don’t Punish' day. The CNPD aims to gather 100,000 signatures by 2027 to prompt the French National Assembly to consider a new law that would eliminate penal sanctions for drug consumption
Marie Ongün-Rombaldi, the general delegate of the Federation Addiction and a CNPD member, is a vocal advocate for prioritizing health over repression in drug policy. She argues that penal sanctions hinder access to healthcare, prevention, and risk reduction, reflecting a failure in France's current drug policies. Ongün-Rombaldi highlights that despite being one of the most repressive countries, France remains a major consumer of cocaine and cannabis, calling for a pragmatic approach to drug use
The CNPD's proposal is rooted in the belief that current repressive measures are ineffective, costly, and have no real impact on drug trafficking. The group is pushing for a reform of the public health code to end penal sanctions for the simple use and possession of drugs. This change is seen as a necessary step towards a more effective and humane drug policy
Should the petition achieve the 100,000-signature milestone, it will be submitted to the French National Assembly's website. One of the eight permanent committees of the Assembly would then decide whether to examine the proposal in a parliamentary debate or dismiss it. This process aligns with the ongoing discussions by the Information Mission on Cannabis Use and the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE)
The CNPD comprises around twenty organizations, including key players from the medico-social sector such as Federation Addiction, Aides, and Médecins du Monde. It also includes user groups like Asud, the Police Against Prohibition Collective, the Magistrates' Union, the Human Rights League, and the International Prisons Observatory. These diverse groups unite under a common goal to reform France's drug policies for better health and social outcomes