Chasing the high: drug users as a vulnerable group in Lithuania
ENDrug users are a particularly vulnerable and stigmatised social group in almost every society. Lithuania is no exception. Many heavy drug users are also subject to further stigmatisation often considered to be linked to drug abuse, such as negative societal attitudes towards drug abusers as possible criminals, their low socioeconomic status, or specific ethnicity. The drug control policy in Lithuania is based on strict control measures. Contrary to the trends prevailing in the West, Lithuania has abolished administrative liability for the acquisition and possession of drugs and criminalised this conduct, thus tightening legislative regulation. Moreover, challenges are faced when ensuring the right to health and other basic human rights for such a marginalised social group as drug users. The situation is even more complicated as regards problematic drug users (in Lithuania, predominately long-term users of various opiates). This chapter discusses the current situation in Lithuania focusing on social stigma and legal prosecution of drug users, especially users of hard drugs. The authors examine the Lithuanian legal framework and relevant case law, and overview good practices in other countries. [From the publication]
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