Decriminalization of substance abuse has been discussed since 2018
(see Reform Update from 18 April 2018) but has not been recommended by
the parliament. In April 2022, in three of its judgements the Supreme
Court decided not to punish substance abuse users for carrying minor
quantities of illegal substances for their own use. In a letter
published in May 2022, the Supreme Court set the threshold for punishing
purchase or possession of cocaine, amphetamine or heroine at 10 grams
(there was no threshold until then). New guidelines for the police
require that careful consideration is given before people are searched.
People with substance abuse problems may receive a conditional
suspension from prosecution if they agree to routine
counselling/supervision by the health services (a representative of the
local council with an expertise in substance abuse).
By
1 July 2022, all municipalities had to establish a council responsible
for ensuring that people with a substance abuse problem can obtain
advice on the support they can receive from the social system. If the
prosecuting authority decides that a person needs to undergo routine
testing for substance abuse, this can now be performed by the local
council, but this is only done in cases when this person has been
involved in an activity that is a punishable offence.