antidrug

Antidrug refers to policies and programs designed to reduce illegal drug use and the harms caused by drug misuse. It includes prevention and education, law enforcement, treatment for addiction, and harm-reduction measures, implemented at local, national, and international levels. The term is used in government, health, and education contexts and can apply to a range of substances governed by drug control laws.

Historically, many countries pursued a strictly prohibitionist stance, but modern antidrug strategies increasingly integrate public health approaches alongside enforcement. Core components commonly cited are prevention programs in schools, access to treatment and recovery services (including medication-assisted treatment), harm-reduction services such as naloxone distribution, and efforts to disrupt illicit supply chains.

Policy debates focus on effectiveness, resource allocation, and potential unintended consequences such as stigma or incarceration; evidence on outcomes varies by context and program design. Critics may argue that punitive approaches can exacerbate harm or disparities, while supporters emphasize reducing demand, preventing addiction, and saving lives through treatment and intervention.

International and national strategies are shaped by legal frameworks, including international drug-control treaties, and by socio-economic factors, with adaptations to local cultures and health systems. The term appears in government campaigns, health literacy materials, and academic discussions, though terminology and emphasis differ across languages and regions.