Sadly, however, this distress has too often resulted in punitive drug policies, which are based on repression with a view of completely ridding society of drugs. The Philippines offers a striking example of the costs of violent repression -- in lives, increased violence, public expenditure, the impact on public health, and the undermining of the rule of law. With the extrajudicial killings taking place in the Philippines making worldwide headlines, the government is also seeking to reintroduce the death penalty for drug-related offences. Vietnam ended the death penalty for drug possession and appropriation in 2016, and Malaysia recently suspended its mandatory death sentence for drug traffickers. Thailand is considering alternatives to punishment for low-level actors in the drug trade, shifting its policy paradigm towards a public health approach.

Source: Bangkok Post November 08, 2017 21:45 UTC