Systematic review finds decriminalization linked to fewer drug arrests

IntroductionThe impact of drug legislation on crime reduction remains a central issue in debates on public security and public health. Different regulatory models, ranging from punitive approaches to harm reduction and decriminalization, have produced heterogeneous outcomes depending on the legal and social context.MethodsA systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis were conducted following the PRISMA protocol. Studies published between 2000 and 2026 were identified through searches in Scopus and Web of Science. The analysis focused on publication trends, geographic distribution, and the effects of different regulatory models on crime-related outcomes.ResultsThe findings indicate that decriminalization and harm reduction policies are consistently associated with reductions in drug-related arrests, particularly among people who use drugs, without evidence of increases in violent or property crime in most analyzed contexts. In contrast, punitive and highly repressive approaches showed limited or counterproductive effects, including increased violence, recidivism, and persistent racial disparities in arrests. Academic production on this topic has increased substantially since 2018, with most studies concentrated in North America and Eastern Europe.DiscussionThe effects of drug legislation vary according to the substance involved, the affected population, and the implementation context. The evidence suggests that public health-oriented and harm reduction strategies may be more effective than punitive approaches in reducing criminal justice harms. However, broader crime outcomes remain context-dependent, highlighting the need for comparative and context-sensitive research to inform future drug policies.