In London, punitive drug policies are a driver of discriminatory policing and incarceration, evidenced by the number of drug possession offences that are unduly focused on Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. Despite decreased overall police stop and search rates, racial disproportionality has increased, with Black individuals facing drug-related stop-and-searches at nine times the rate of white people. Additionally, Black individuals comprise a quarter of cannabis possession convictions, despite representing less than four percent of the population. The criminalisation of drug use in the UK also limits access to housing for people who require social accommodation, causing fear of eviction among people who use drugs. ‘Public Space Protection Orders’ further exacerbate this issue by penalising activities like rough sleeping and drug consumption, pushing marginalised individuals into deeper isolation and further marginalisation. These punitive measures fail to address underlying issues, amplifying the risks and harms faced by affected communities. This underscores the crucial necessity for harm reduction as a response to both drug-related risks and the harm caused by prohibition.

See also:

• City report – Amsterdam. Shaping the future of drug regulation from the ‘bottom-up’. 
• City report – Esch-sur-Alzette. Establishing a drug consumption room in a small-scale city. 
• City report – Bălţi. Violating confidentiality: the disclosure of medical data of people who use drugs. 
• City report – Warsaw. A critical review of the harm reduction landscape in the district of Praga.