This refers to government strategies and regulations that guide the control, management, and prevention of issues related to alcohol and other drugs, particularly those with addictive or harmful properties. These policies typically address supply-side (e.g., production, distribution, and enforcement) and demand-side (e.g., prevention, treatment, and recovery) measures.
In the context of psychoactive substances, drug policy encompasses laws and programs designed to reduce illicit drug use, promote overdose prevention and risk mitigation, and ensure public health and safety.
Within the World Health Organization (WHO) framework, national drug policy also includes the pharmaceutical aspect, focusing on the availability, safety, and rational use of essential medicines as part of a broader national health strategy.
Sources: Recovery Research Institute; HRB