Drugs and Democracy Human rights, drug policy, and democratic reform
For decades, punitive drug control policies have fuelled violence, criminalisation, militarisation, and social exclusion across the world. The global “war on drugs” has disproportionately impacted peasant communities, Indigenous peoples, racialised groups, and people living in poverty, while failing to reduce drug-related harms or address the structural causes of illicit economies.
TNI’s Drugs and Democracy work promotes drug policies grounded in human rights, social justice, public health, peacebuilding, and sustainable development. Building on decades of research and collaboration with social movements, farmers’ organisations, policy makers, and civil society networks, we challenge prohibitionist approaches and support democratic alternatives to the war on drugs.
Photograph Diego Giacoman
What we work on
Research and advocacy on drug policy, justice, and democratic reform
Research focus
Cannabis
Around the world, cannabis policies are undergoing rapid transformation. While prohibition is increasingly being challenged, emerging legal markets also raise important questions around equity, regulation, public health, corporate concentration, and social justice.
TNI’s cannabis work examines the global shift towards regulation and analyses who benefits from changing cannabis economies. We investigate the impacts of legalisation models, trade regimes, investment dynamics, and criminal justice reforms, while supporting approaches centred on public interest, reparative justice, and community participation.
Our work contributes to international debates on cannabis regulation, human rights, and equitable market development, particularly for communities historically harmed by prohibition.
Coca Leaf
The coca leaf has deep cultural, medicinal, and spiritual significance in Andean societies, yet international drug control frameworks continue to criminalise traditional practices and stigmatise coca-growing communities.
TNI’s work on coca leaf supports efforts to defend the cultural rights of Indigenous peoples and challenge the historical injustices embedded within the global drug control system. We research the political history of coca prohibition, the impacts on rural livelihoods, and ongoing debates around decriminalisation and international scheduling.
Together with partners across the Andes and beyond, we support informed public debate and policy reform grounded in respect for cultural rights, social justice, and sustainable development.
Drug Law Reform
Punitive drug laws have contributed to mass incarceration, human rights abuses, over-policing, and public health crises across many countries. Growing numbers of governments and civil society organisations are calling for approaches based on harm reduction, decriminalisation, and public health.
TNI’s drug law reform work analyses policy developments at national, regional, and international levels and supports reforms that prioritise human rights, social inclusion, and evidence-based approaches. We examine the impacts of criminalisation and support alternatives that reduce harm while addressing the social and economic conditions linked to problematic drug use and illicit economies.
Our work contributes to policy debates on decriminalisation, regulation, sentencing reform, harm reduction, and access to medicines.
Drugs and Conflict
Drug economies are deeply intertwined with conflict, militarisation, displacement, and political instability in many parts of the world. Counter-narcotics strategies have frequently intensified violence, strengthened armed actors, and undermined peacebuilding efforts.
TNI’s work on drugs and conflict investigates the relationships between illicit economies, armed conflict, state violence, and international security policies. We analyse how militarised drug control approaches affect communities living in conflict-affected regions and explore alternatives that prioritise peace, livelihoods, and democratic governance.
Through collaboration with researchers, peacebuilding organisations, and affected communities, we contribute to more grounded and rights-based approaches to conflict and drug policy.
Producers of Crops
Millions of small-scale farmers depend on the cultivation of crops such as coca, opium poppy, and cannabis for their livelihoods. Yet crop control policies have often criminalised rural communities while failing to address poverty, inequality, land access, and marginalisation.
TNI’s work with producers of crops focuses on the experiences, rights, and political demands of peasant and Indigenous communities involved in cultivation economies. We research the impacts of forced eradication, alternative development programmes, and rural militarisation, while supporting policies that strengthen livelihoods, land rights, and sustainable rural development.
Our work amplifies the perspectives of producer organisations and contributes to international debates on development, agrarian justice, and drug policy reform.
UN Drug Control
The international drug control system plays a central role in shaping national drug policies and global governance frameworks. Yet growing tensions around prohibition, regulation, human rights, and public health have exposed deep contradictions within the current regime.
TNI’s work on UN drug control critically examines the history, institutions, and politics of the global drug control system, including the role of the United Nations drug conventions and related agencies. We monitor international negotiations, support civil society engagement, and contribute research and analysis to policy debates at the UN level.
Together with international partners and advocacy networks, we work to advance reforms that align drug policy with human rights, development, democracy, and public health principles.
How we work
TNI combines critical research, movement collaboration, and international advocacy to support democratic and rights-based approaches to drug policy.
Research and analysis
We produce in-depth research on global drug policy, rural livelihoods, criminalisation, conflict, and international governance. Our work connects local realities with broader political and economic structures shaping drug control policies worldwide.
Popular education and dialogue
We develop accessible publications, briefings, podcasts, and educational materials to support public understanding and informed debate. Through workshops, seminars, and international exchanges, we facilitate dialogue between movements, researchers, communities, and policy makers.
Movement collaboration and network building
We work closely with peasant organisations, Indigenous movements, harm reduction networks, human rights groups, and civil society coalitions across regions. Our collaborations help strengthen collective analysis, advocacy, and international solidarity.
Policy engagement and advocacy
Together with partners, we contribute research and critical perspectives to policy discussions at national, regional, and international levels, including within UN processes and global drug policy forums.
Communication and public debate
TNI researchers contribute expert analysis on drug policy, human rights, conflict, and democratic reform through media engagement, public events, and international dialogue.