In Estonia, drug usage, particularly of cannabis, amphetamines, and cocaine, is on the rise, evidenced by wastewater analyses conducted over the past two years in 13 major cities. Justice Minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta aims to reform drug penalties to impose stricter punishments on dealers while adopting a more lenient approach towards drug users. However, this proposal has been met with hesitation from Interior Minister Igor Taro, who believes it could send the wrong message to society regarding drug use and its consequences.

The wastewater analyses indicate that approximately 40,000 individuals in Estonia use cannabis regularly, alongside daily consumption of 3,500 doses of cocaine and 5,000 doses of amphetamines. Current penalties for drug consumption and sale are reported to be relatively harsh compared to neighboring countries, and the Ministry of Justice suggests that international experiences indicate that punishing users severely does not effectively reduce dependency and associated social issues.

The discussion around drug policy reform is particularly poignant as it reflects broader global conversations about how to tackle drug use and addiction. While the aim is to save young lives from the repercussions of drug use, the disagreement between the ministers highlights the complexities involved in forming policies that consider public health, safety, and social signals in addressing drug-related issues.