Colombia’s ‘war on drugs’ has been disastrous for its citizens, especially for rural and marginalised communities in areas with coca plantations. By August 2023, more than 17,600 people were imprisoned for drug-related offences. The vast majority were growers, transporters, consumers and small-time dealers. The financial cost of this punitive approach was huge: Colombia spent around USD 883.7 million each year in the fight against drug trafficking. In a speech before the UN General Assembly, President Gustavo Petro, who was elected into office in 2022, stated that the war on drugs had failed and vowed to shift the approach to focus on regulating drug use and protecting small coca growers. As part of this new approach, over 2,000 people and community organisations, mostly small farmers, Indigenous communities and activists who have been directly affected by the war on drugs, were invited to contribute to developing a new national drug policy.

The 2023-2033 National Drug Policy represents a genuine shift in Colombia’s approach. The strategy focuses on protecting life and the environment. It prioritises the health and wellbeing of communities most affected by the war on drugs and promotes activities to reduce the risks, harm and stigmas associated with drug use. In December 2023, the decision was made to use USD 49.5 million of assets seized by law enforcement to strengthen the policy’s implementation, while the police experienced a 53% reduction in the money it received from assets seized by law enforcement. Since the new drug policy was launched, the government has begun funding a small number of harm reduction and social inclusion projects. Plans are now underway to update comprehensive care guidelines for people who inject drugs to include the provision of sterile injecting equipment, opioid agonist therapy and community-based overdose prevention. Guidelines for drug consumption spaces are also under development. These changes will make a significant difference to individual lives, communities and public health.