Broad political agreement on Norway’s drug treatment reform, reports Actis
- Nordic Alcohol and Drug Policy Network
- Jun 4
- 2 min read
04.06.2025 - A cross-party agreement has been reached on the second part of Norway’s prevention and treatment reform, according to Actis, the Norwegian policy network on alcohol and drugs. The Conservative Party (Høyre), Labour (Arbeiderpartiet), Liberal Party (Venstre), and the Socialist Left Party (SV) have come to terms on a joint position. The government originally presented this part of the reform as a legal proposal in April, and it has since been under consideration by the Storting's justice committee. The committee issued its recommendation to the government on Wednesday, June 4.
The agreed proposal confirms that drug use will not be decriminalized. The prohibition remains in place. However, simplified fines will be introduced for minor drug offences committed by adults over 18. These fines will not be recorded on a criminal record. For young people under 18, simplified fines will not be issued. Instead, they will be referred to advisory units for drug cases, with a mandatory order to attend up to three sessions. Unlike before, multiple public agencies—not just the police—will be allowed to refer youth to these services.
“This broad agreement is important for the drug policy field and can bring more stability and predictability,” said Actis Secretary General Inger Lise Hansen. She welcomed the prospect that the advisory units might now be able to fulfill the role they were originally established for.
“It’s a positive step that more agencies, not just the police, will now be able to refer young people to the advisory units. That’s something we have long called for,” Hansen added. “The mandate for up to three mandatory sessions is also in line with what we’ve argued. And with the added clarification on the police’s tools to uncover drug use, this could help address the issue that very few young people have been referred over the past four years. It could mean more youth actually get access to help.”
Hansen emphasized that it will now be crucial for municipalities to establish these advisory units as required and ensure they have the capacity and competence to deal with what will likely be an increase in young people needing support. “Otherwise, we’re back to where we started,” she said.
Source: Actis
