Introduction

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is leading a global shift toward treating drug use as a health issue rather than just a legal one. This new approach moves away from harsh punishments and toward public health intervention policies designed to help people rather than simply criminalize them.

Recent breakthroughs in Europe show this progress in action. In the United Kingdom, Safer Drug Consumption Facilities offer high-risk groups a safe place to receive medical care, which significantly lowers the risk of overdose. In Canada, supervised consumption programs provide safe spaces for individuals to use drugs under medical supervision, offering clean equipment, health monitoring, and access to addiction services. At the same time, Slovenia’s new Medical and Scientific Cannabis Act gives doctors the freedom to prescribe cannabis based on their own professional judgment. Advancements in drug treatment and changes in perspectives can ensure that people can get the help they need.

UK’s First Safer Drug Consumption Facility

On January 13, 2025, two Safer Drug Consumption Facilities opened in the United Kingdom. These buildings are a hygienic place for individuals to self-administer drugs. They are supervised by medical professionals. Doctors provide clean instruments and advice on procedures for safe drug use. This helps prevent the misuse of drug treatments and provides harm reduction guidance.

The Thistle, the UK’s first facility in Scotland, has successfully stopped 4,068 injecting episodes and 56 medical emergencies from becoming fatal between January and August 2025. The facility also offers testing for viruses like HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. These viruses can be deadly if left undiagnosed or untreated. Thus, it is important to have locations that are easily accessible for medical care. This gives vulnerable or marginalized people somewhere to go when they need help. They also offer other care services to end addiction. These include referrals to addiction support, social care, and housing support.

This program builds on the need for more access to addiction services and medical care. In September 2025, the UK agreed to adopt a more evidence-based approach to handling people caught with drugs. This means that instead of automatically punishing someone for possession, authorities could offer treatment and medical support, such as addiction services, counseling, or other interventions proven to reduce harm and relapse. This is different from the usual punitive policy seen in the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971. However, since the Act remains in place, the possession of illegal drugs remains a crime, and tools like drug consumption rooms are not fully approved. The law is still punitive, but authorities are allowed to focus more on treatment where possible. Funding, public acceptance, and local political opposition could limit or expand program expansion.

Slovenia’s New Cannabis Law

Passed into law on August 20, 2025, Slovenia’s Medical and Scientific Cannabis Act expanded patients’ access to medical cannabis. Under this policy, doctors can prescribe the whole cannabis plant, its resin or extracts, and THC for a range of medical conditions, using their professional judgment. Prescriptions are valid for up to one month per patient, allowing patients more consistent access to treatment.

This legislation is significant because it removes previous restrictions that limited the types of cannabis products doctors could prescribe, allowing patients greater flexibility to receive the care they need. Evidence suggests that patients experience improved symptom management and reduced reliance on other medications. However, the law does not allocate resources for research into the safety or long-term effects of cannabis. Gaps remain in understanding its clinical impact.

Negative stigmas surrounding drug use and treatment remain widespread. People seeking treatment are often unfairly labeled as incompetent, dangerous, or lacking self-control, even if they are not addicted. Slovenia’s policies address stigma to some extent. Doctors provide patients with a physical medical cannabis card that patients can show during checks to demonstrate that their drugs are prescribed for legitimate medical reasons. This helps to protect them from unjust arrest or harassment. This policy is a clear example of how thoughtful adjustments can both improve access to treatment and challenge harmful stereotypes about people who use drugs (PWUD). Such policies protect the rights of PWUD and align with human rights frameworks that support one’s right to health.

Conclusion

There are many countries trying to improve access to drug treatments and policies. It is important to stay informed of PWUD’s needs. In the United Kingdom, PWUD have a clean area to administer treatment and stop infections. They also have a person to talk to about getting help with addiction. In Slovenia, people in need of treatment are getting help and are protected. Globally, countries are working to enhance recovery services with drug policy and treatment, to varying extents. The CND’s mission is to provide policy guidance for the administration of drugs. These developments tell us that there are many countries willing to adjust their policies and provide better treatment to their citizens.

Bibliography

Erakkaya, Eymen. “Slovenia Legalizes Medical Cannabis (Marijuana): New Law Effective from August 20, 2025.” Sibiz, last updated August 22, 2025. sibiz.eu/slovenia-legalizes-medical-cannabis-marijuana-new-law-effective-from-august-20-2025/.

Green, Johnny. “Slovenia’s National Assembly Approves Historic Medical Cannabis…” International Cannabis Business Conference, last updated 15 July 2025, internationalcbc.com/slovenias-national-assembly-approves-historic-medical-cannabis-measure/.

“Government Rules out Change to Drug Legislation, Even If the Thistle Is Successful – Committees – UK Parliament.” UK Parliament, November 20, 2025. committees.parliament.uk/committee/136/scottish-affairs-committee/news/210560/government-rules-out-change-to-drug-legislation-even-if-the-thistle-is-successful/.

Meyer, Matthias. “Inside Slovenia’s New ‘revolutionary’ Medical Cannabis Law.” Business of Cannabis, last updated October 28, 2025. businessofcannabis.com/inside-slovenias-new-revolutionary-medical-cannabis-law/

Mitchell, Jenness. “UK’s First Drug Consumption Room in Glasgow Should Not Be Seen as ‘Silver Bullet’, Says Westminster Committee.” Sky News, last updated September 16, 2025. news.sky.com/story/uks-first-drug-consumption-room-in-glasgow-should-not-be-seen-as-silver-bullet-says-westminster-committee-13432048.

“Reducing the Stigma of Addiction.” Stigma of Addiction | Johns Hopkins Medicine. www.hopkinsmedicine.org/stigma-of-addiction.

“Safer Drug Consumption Facility.” Safer Drug Consumption Facility | Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership. glasgowcity.hscp.scot/sdcf.

Scottish Affairs Committee. “Problem Drug Use in Scotland Follow-up: Glasgow’s Safer Drug Consumption Facility.” UK Parliament, last updated September 16, 2025. publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cmselect/cmscotaf/630/report.html.

“The government’s approach to illegal street drugs should focus on treatment and prevention,” The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ October 2025, Vol 316, No 8002;316(8002), pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/opinion/pj-view-the-governments-approach-to-illegal-street-drugs-should-focus-on-treatment-and-prevention

“The Thistle: Glasgow’s New Safer Drug Consumption Facility.” SPICe Spotlight | Solas air SPICe, last updated February 27, 2025. spice-spotlight.scot/2025/02/26/the-thistle-glasgows-new-safer-drug-consumption-facility/.