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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