Amid the debate for drug policy reform, much confusion surrounds the terms legalization, depenalization, decriminalization, and even harm reduction.
Each is different and must be properly understood in order to implement suitable drug policies. Harm reduction generally refers to policies that prioritize reducing the negative effects associated with consumption and the illicit drug trade over simply reducing drug supply and demand. Such policies include addiction treatment, maintenance therapies such as methadone treatment, strategies to reduce the transmission of HIV from dirty needles, depenalization, decriminalization and the use of drug courts.
