Drug decriminalisation in Portugal
In 2001 Portugal decriminalised all drugs including heroin and cocaine. There were many who predicted adverse outcomes such as rampant drug use, high rates of drug tourism, increased addiction and related illnesses. However some eight years later, none of these predictions have eventuated.
A recent report by Glen Greenwald for the CATO Institute entitled "Drug Decriminalization in Portugal: Lessons for creating fair and successful drug policies" examined the framework, the pre- and postdecriminalisation data and political climate, and assessed Portugal's drug policy in the context of the EU's approach to drugs.
The report concluded "While drug addiction, usage, and
associated pathologies continue to skyrocket in many EU states, those problems—in virtually every
relevant category—have been either contained or measurably improved within Portugal since
2001. In certain key demographic segments, drug usage has decreased in absolute terms in the
decriminalization framework, even as usage across the EU continues to increase, including in those
states that continue to take the hardest line in
criminalizing drug possession and usage.
By freeing its citizens from the fear of prosecution and imprisonment for drug usage,
Portugal has dramatically improved its ability to encourage drug addicts to avail themselves of
treatment. The resources that were previously devoted to prosecuting and imprisoning drug
addicts are now available to provide treatment programs to addicts.
Link to
the report here>>