Legal context
Many African drug laws still rely on criminal penalties inherited from older control frameworks, while reform debates increasingly centre public health, prison overcrowding and human rights.
Health response (HRI 2024)
Harm Reduction International (2024) reports at least one operational service in Mauritius: needle & syringe programmes, opioid agonist therapy. Inside prisons: OAT. National policy documents include an explicit supportive reference to harm reduction.
Youth leadership
Young advocates are pushing for honest drug education, non-punitive school policies and meaningful participation in national drug strategy processes.
Regional harm reduction leader; methadone since 2006.
Drug policy briefing
What young people should know about drug policy in Mauritius
Decriminalisation
Criminalised, admin diversionPossession remains criminal under the Dangerous Drugs Act, but diversion to treatment is available in some cases.
Evidence · Dangerous Drugs Act 2000.
Harm Reduction
Publicly funded NSP + OATNeedle and syringe programmes and methadone maintenance have been publicly funded since the mid-2000s, making Mauritius a Sub-Saharan Africa harm reduction leader.
Evidence · Ministry of Health and Wellness; PILS.
Youth Participation
ConsultativeYouth and civil society organisations contribute to national HIV and drug strategy consultations.
Evidence · Mauritius National AIDS Secretariat.
Treatment Systems
Publicly fundedTreatment and OAT are provided through public health facilities with civil society partners.
Evidence · Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Sources · Harm Reduction International, Global State of Harm Reduction 2024 · UNODC · WHO · EMCDDA/EUDA · national laws and civil-society monitoring. Last reviewed Harm Reduction International 2024.
Start locally
No active SSDP chapter is listed for Mauritius yet. Young people can start with peer education, coalition-building and the chapter starter pathway.
Open pathwayCompare policy
Use Policy Lab to compare Mauritius with countries that have decriminalisation, harm reduction or youth-participation reforms.
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If someone needs urgent medical, legal or crisis support, use the help pathway and contact qualified local services.
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