Drug Policies in UK and Norway: A Comparative Analysis

Evaluation Report

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................1
References:.......................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Drugs are the substances that majorly affects the functioning of the body of an individual.
The drugs are basically used for the diagnosis, prevention and the treatment of diseases. It is also
used to provide relief for the symptoms of disease so caused in the body of the individual
(Oxford Reference, 2022). Moreover, using drug affect the health of the individuals (DeWolf et
al., 2018). There are many policies and legislations that are formulated to control drug abuse all
over the world. These legislations also specifies for the punishments for drug abuse in the
country. Moreover, it also includes the use of drug for illegal purposes other than for which it is
made for are termed as drug abuse. Moreover, this essay discusses about the drug abuse in UK.
This essay ill discuss the legislations that are formulated for reducing the drug abuse by
comparing the drug policies of Norway and UK. Moreover, Norway has been considered as the
best drug policies all over the world as specified by the reports on drug abuse.
MAIN BODY
The drug policy of UK is failing evident with the increase in number of deaths due to
drug abuse in the country (Degenhardt and Hall, 2012).
 The policy of drug in UK requires some amendments in order to control the drug abuse as
the consumption as well as death rates are not being controlled in the country. Moreover,
with this, the death rate related to the drugs are preventable with the use of an
appropriate policies.
 Moreover, it would also create an impact on health services by reducing the pressure of
the drug death rates in the country. In contrast, the drug abuse in Norway is slightly low
compared to the UK (Death rates in Europe, 2022).
 The Norway has no specific policy for illicit drug abuse as like in UK. This means that
the drug abuse in Norway is governed by the common law. Moreover, in Norway there is
decriminalisation of drug abuse in the country. However, there are punishments and
criminalisation for the use of some specific drugs by the individual (O’Mara, 2020).
Those specific drugs that are illegal in Norway are the narcotic drugs. Further more, the
import of drugs in Norway is illegal. There are also provisions that specifies the
punishments for the import of these drug in the UK.
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Furthermore, the drug abuse in United Kingdom is governed by the Misuse of Drugs Act,
1971 and Psychoactive Substances Act, 2016. These legislations provides for the provisions of
use of drugs and when these drugs are abused by the people.
The drugs has been specified as A, B or C as to compare the degree of harm in theory,
every class has different penalties that is to be applied for prohibition of activities related to
drugs. Under section 3 to section 6 the activities which are in relation to drugs are prohibited.
This includes production, possession, supply and possession having intention to supply. In
section 9 the offences in relation to opium which includes smoking or other use of opium. Under
section 9A supply of any article which is used in unlawful administration of drugs are prohibited.
This sections are covered under Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, UK. Furthermore,
these acts provide for the provisions of the punishments of drug abuse in the country. There has
been prevalence of the drug use in UK in last few years with around 9.4% increase in England &
Wales and 12% in Scotland while 5.9% in Northern Ireland. This can be seen by the report as
published by the country (UK drug situation 2019). This can be seen as by the laws of the
country. The drug abuse can be seen more in case of young people of the country. This same
scenario can be seen in the the country Norway. In comparison with the Norway the UK has
more individual whop suffers from drug abuse in the country. The drug abuse can further be seen
in other countries also. This abuse is increasing day by day all over the world(Winstock,
Eastwood and Stevens, 2021). The reasons for the drug abuse is that the individuals are now
facing the depression and stress in their regular lives. Moreover, the individuals are also facing
various problems relate to physical and mental pressure in their lives. Hence, all this has lead to
increase the drug abuse in the country.
In Norway the drug policy is introduced in year 2012, they introduce a comprehensive
drugs and alcohol policy, which includes doping, alcohol, addictive medications and illicit drugs.
This policy is based on fundamental principle of health protection, where promotion of health
and prevention principle are included in all the areas of society(Friedman and Gjersing,
2022).This policy prohibits alcohol consumption and drug through targeting drug trafficking and
organised crime. This has seen from the data that are published by the health ministry of the
country (Strang, et.al, 2012). The objectives of this policy of 2012 white paper is supported by
subsequent government white papers. The Norway changes its drugs policy and strategy by
ongoing indicator monitoring and research project. The plan for Drugs and Alcohol Field
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