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Latvia and Estonia move toward treatment focused drug policy reforms
- Nordic Alcohol and Drug Policy Network
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
14.01.2026 - Two Baltic countries are moving in the same direction on drug policy, shifting away from punishment of users and toward treatment and social support, while tightening the grip on drug trafficking. Latvia and Estonia are now advancing legislative reforms that reflect a broader rethink of how to handle drug use, especially among young people and people with dependency problems.
In Latvia, the Saeima is scheduled to consider amendments on 22 January that would remove criminal liability for drug use by minors. Under the proposal, minors would no longer face criminal prosecution for using narcotic or psychotropic substances. Criminal liability would remain for purchase and possession. The Ministry of Health argues that the change would reduce stigma, improve access to treatment, and lower overdose risks among young people. Medical and youth support organisations have backed the reform, saying fear of criminal punishment currently prevents minors from seeking help. Government data show the number of minors affected is relatively small, with ten minors prosecuted for drug-related offences in 2024, yet hundreds of administrative cases each year.
Estonia is preparing a broader overhaul of its penal code for drug offences. The Ministry of Justice has launched a draft policy plan that would more clearly distinguish dependent users from criminals. The proposal would raise the threshold for a “large quantity” of drugs from ten to thirty doses, meaning possession below that level would be treated as a misdemeanour rather than a criminal offence. The aim is to direct people who use drugs toward treatment instead of prison, while making convictions of dealers easier by removing the requirement to prove financial gain from selling. The justice minister has stressed that no drugs will be legalised, and possession would still be punishable by fines, but prison would be less likely for users who do not sell or distribute.
Both countries emphasise that trafficking and organised drug crime will continue to face strong criminal penalties. In Estonia, reforms also target loopholes around new psychoactive substances and aim to prevent criminal networks from exploiting softer rules for users. At the same time, public health experts in Estonia have warned that treatment and support services are already underfunded, and that legal reforms must be matched with investment in prevention and care.
