Thursday, July 19, 2012

DRUG ADDICTION


Bottom of Form
Drug decriminalization in Portugal decreases number of addicts

After 11 years, the effectiveness of the policy has been measured.
Samuel Blackstone, Business Insider July 18, 2012 16:50
A TV cameraman records the three-ton cocaine seizure on
February 3, 2006 in Braga, northern Portugal. Many nations
thinking about decriminalizing drugs may look to
Portugal as an example.
(Miguel Riopa /AFP/Getty Images)

On July 1, 2001, Portugal decriminalized every imaginable drug, from marijuana, to cocaine, to heroin. Some thought Lisbon would become a drug tourist haven, others predicted usage rates among youths to surge.
Eleven years later, it turns out they were both wrong.

Over a decade has passed since Portugal changed its philosophy from labeling drug users as criminals to labeling them as people affected by a disease. This time lapse has allowed statistics to develop and in time, has made Portugal an example to follow.

First, some clarification.

Portugal's move to decriminalize does not mean people can carry around, use, and sell drugs free from police interference. That would be legalization. Rather, all drugs are "decriminalized," meaning drug possession, distribution, and use is still illegal. While distribution and trafficking is still a criminal offense, possession and use is moved out of criminal courts and into a special court where each offender's unique situation is judged by legal experts, psychologists, and social workers. Treatment and further action is decided in these courts, where addicts and drug use is treated as a public health service rather than referring it to the justice system (like the US), reports Fox News.

Peter’s Comment

The drug policies of most countries, including New Zealand, are not working in spite of billions of dollars budgeted worldwide trying to beat the problem.

Perhaps Portugal has the answer. A radically different approach is certainly needed.

Treating drug addiction as a disease is an enlightened policy and most people would understand that no amount of punishment will ever cure sickness or disease.







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