Health Minister Agrees With International Drug War Report

Minister of Health Kristján Þór Júlíusson told reporters he agrees with a new report from the Global Commission on Drug Policy (GODP) that the “war on drugs” has been a failure.

Vísir reports the the GODP has released their latest findings on drug policies around the world. Their conclusions are clear: the criminalisation of drugs has been a drain on police resources and does more societal harm than good. Rather, a drug policy that reflects prevention, education and rehabilitation is recommended.

Minister of Health Kristján Þór Júlíusson completely agrees.

“People around the world are realising that the methods that have been used [to combat drug use] have not worked as intended,” he said. “I am myself of the opinion, as I have said before, that we must explore all the ways in which we can better fight against drug use.”

Kristján has indeed been vocal on this front. Addressing a conference of young conservatives last February, the Minister told attendees, “I am very supportive of the opinion that we ought to try to decriminalise [drug] use in this matter.”

Taking questions from the audience, the Minister was asked if he believed that even the most basic drug laws need review, to which he replied, “That’s what I’m offering. I am convinced that we need to try other remedies.”

Amongst other attendees was former Supreme Court judge Jón Steinar Gunnlaugsson who, as Grapevine reported, is in favour of decriminalisation at the least, whilst also entertaining the possibility of legalisation.