By August 2023, more than 17,600 people in Colombia 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.

As part of new approach to drug policy initiated by President Gustavo Petro, 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 Colombia National Drug Policy represents a genuine shift in Colombia’s approach. The strategy focuses on protecting life and the environment.

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.

The 2024 budget for National Drug Policy implementation increased by 22.5% as compared to 2023 budget.