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Side Event: Decriminalize drug use and possession for personal use: Why, What and How? Organized by the Drug Policy Network South East Europe The aim of the event was to present the scientific and political background for policy changes, models of decriminalization that may be used, and examples of results and challenges from countries and jurisdictions that implemented decriminalization. Decriminalization is defined as the removal of criminal sanctions for certain activities related to drug use and possession for personal use. Since the 2016 UN General Assembly Special Session, many UN agencies have reported the negative impact of criminalization on people who use drugs and on communities and presented recommendations in favor of a decriminalization process in drug policies. This policy option is a core component of a rights- and health-based approach towards people who use drugs. Around the world, 67 jurisdictions in 41 countries (as of October 2023) have adopted some form of decriminalizatio
