A report presented today suggests that criminalization of drug use in Sweden has been costly, ineffective, and harmful. The report, produced on behalf of the Expert Group for Studies in Public Economics (ESO), recommends that the government set up an investigation with the aim of decriminalizing personal use and minor possession of narcotics.
According to the report, the supply of narcotics in Sweden is large, and the use is not decreasing. Additionally, the drug mortality rate has increased. The policy is also associated with large control costs, leading researchers to believe that resources could be used more efficiently for treatment, harm minimization, and prevention.
Joakim Strandberg, head of drug prevention at the Public Health Agency, welcomed the report and expressed that it contributes new perspectives to the ongoing discussion. However, Lennart Karlsson, chairman of the Swedish Narcotics Police Association (SNPF), characterized the report as “interesting and solid, but perhaps a bit argumentative.” He noted that there is other research that partially gives a different picture.
Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer, through his spokesperson, announced that the government is not considering decriminalizing narcotics. He stated that criminalization is part of the Swedish line, where restrictiveness is part of a broader public health perspective. However, he also acknowledged that criminalization is not the whole solution and that there is a need to work actively with prevention and care, which should be developed and strengthened.