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[entremet]

Portugal had one of the worst heroin epidemics in the Western world. At one point in the 1990s, a staggering 1% of the population was addicted to heroin. Overdoses were rampant, and drug-related deaths from AIDS were the highest in the European Union.

Reeling from a dire public health crisis and seeing no results from a conventional war on drugs, the Portuguese government decided it had to chart a new course, and in 2001 it decriminalized the possession of all drugs. People caught with less than a 10-day supply of a drug are directed to "dissuasion commissions," usually composed of a lawyer, a doctor and a social worker, who recommend treatment or a minor fine. Most of the time, someone who sits before a dissuasion commission faces no penalty whatsoever.

Since Portugal decriminalized drugs 14 years ago, governments and drug policy experts around the world have scrutinized data about drug use coming out of the country. Studies in recent years suggest their grand experiment has been a success. Still, 14 years is a small window to measure a massive policy, and any new information is critical for fleshing out the nature and effects of decriminalization.

Data from the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction, reported recently by the Washington Post, does just that. According to the center's 2015 report, Portugal has the second-lowest drug overdose rate of every European country measured in the report. Finding Portugal in the chart below will require a bit of scrolling:

Treating drug use as a disease: When Portugal decriminalized drugs, it handed drug control from the Justice Department to the Ministry of Health, a change that captures the seismic shift in the country's perception of drug use. Drug addiction was not to be considered a moral or legal problem but a health challenge. As João Goulão, the architect of Portugal's decriminalization model, told Hari, "using drugs is only a symptom of some suffering, and we have to reach the reasons." The Portuguese approach to ascertaining those reasons is the way a doctor tries to screen for disease.

https://mic.com/articles/120403/14-...y-portugal-s-experiment-has-worked#.LN7hTE9bC

Note: decriminalizing refers to drug use. Selling and distribution is still a crime in Portugal.

Let's get this done in the rest of the world, guys and gals.

At least in my country, the US, it's gonna be extremely hard due to the prison lobby, DEA, etc., but we've gotta be persistent.

Sadly, the opiate epidemic is continuing to rise in the US as well.

 

[Skellig Gra]

I've never been offered to buy drugs so much than in Portugal. It's like the same as a fidget spinner over there. Cocaine my friend?...I'll pass.

 

[Living the Dream]

Republicans will never vote against their lord and savior Raegan. This will never change here 😕

 

[bunbun777]

Here here, I'm all for it. Stop treating addiction as a crime and start treating it as a disease.

 

[iceatcs]

I've never been offered to buy drugs so much than in Portugal. It's like the same as a fidget spinner over there. Cocaine my friend?...I'll pass.

Same but I think it is because of tourist area, whereas it might be only place for dealers to sell.

 

[shira]

It wouldn't work in the US. The entire prison and police economy relies on drug arrest stats which in turn make politicians "tough on crime"

 

[MudoSkills]

I've never been offered to buy drugs so much than in Portugal. It's like the same as a fidget spinner over there. Cocaine my friend?...I'll pass.

Same. Lisbon is the only place where I've ever had a drug dealer try to up-sell me after a refusal.

'Weed?'
'No mate.'
'Cocaine?'

Decriminalising drug use has clear benefits, but it's too politicised in most places for governments to seriously consider it.

 

[Messofanego]

Shifting money from imprisonment to addiction treatment turns out to be more efficient in curtailing drug use, what a surprise. It's just a shame so many countries don't realise that.

 

[Skellig Gra]

Same but I think it is because of tourist area, whereas it might be only place for dealers to sell.

No doubt, it mainly happened to me in Lisbon, not so much Porto. I'm not criticizing actually since it's better than some shady back alley deal where you'd get most places outside of Amsterdam. Just very eye opening coming from the US where things are much different.

 

[Nipo]

The US will legalize drugs when the masses are content enough to regularly stage nationwide general strikes. At that point they'll try anything to placate people ala brave new world.

 

[Jotaka]

 

[kiguel182]

I've never been offered to buy drugs so much than in Portugal. It's like the same as a fidget spinner over there. Cocaine my friend?...I'll pass.

That's because you went to downtown or something which is mainly a tourist spot. It doesn't happen in most places. Or anywhere but there really.

If you went to Lisbon at least.

Edit: also drugs aren't legal. You simply aren't arrested if you are caught smoking a joint or something.
This is all about spending money in rehab instead of arresting folks.

 

[entremet]

It wouldn't work in the US. The entire prison and police economy relies on drug arrest stats which in turn make politicians "tough on crime"

Well the Upton Sinclair quote is very appropriate here:

"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it"

 

[Bony Manifesto]

Shifting money from imprisonment to addiction treatment turns out to be more efficient in curtailing drug use, what a surprise. It's just a shame so many countries don't realise that.

The crazy thing is that there's probably more scope for private enterprise to step in and make some money off these rehabilitation programmes than they would from prisons.

Still, I think people are creating an inaccurate vision of Portugal in their minds - it's not some post-War-on-Drugs utopia, where everybody's free to buy and sell whatever substances they want! Drugs are still seen as a negative thing, and distribution is still very illegal.

 

[kiguel182]

The crazy thing is that there's probably more scope for private enterprise to step in and make some money off these rehabilitation programmes than they would from prisons.

Still, I think people are creating an inaccurate vision of Portugal in their minds - it's not some post-War-on-Drugs utopia, where everybody's free to buy and sell whatever substances they want! Drugs are still seen as a negative thing, and distribution is still very illegal.

Selling and carrying past a certain amount is still a crime. Sometimes this topic does paint an image that is not accurate at all.

Not jailing addicts is the extent of this. We send them to rehab instead.

 

[Kinyou]

They did this for every kind of drug? That seems a bit extreme for me, but if it works, it works.

 

[Maintenance]

 

[entremet]

The crazy thing is that there's probably more scope for private enterprise to step in and make some money off these rehabilitation programmes than they would from prisons.

Still, I think people are creating an inaccurate vision of Portugal in their minds - it's not some post-War-on-Drugs utopia, where everybody's free to buy and sell whatever substances they want! Drugs are still seen as a negative thing, and distribution is still very illegal.

I think decriminalizing always refers to use. Legalizing refers to allowing distribution. Could be wrong, though. So the US legalized alcohol after Prohibition, for example. It could be sold and distributed, while regulated.

And some states legalized marijuana, which can be sold and distributed with regulations and taxation. Still way better than filling our jails and prisons with users.

http://www.dopplr.com/drug-decriminalization-vs-legalization/

 

[witchedwiz]

I've never been offered to buy drugs so much than in Portugal. It's like the same as a fidget spinner over there. Cocaine my friend?...I'll pass.

this..
went i went to lisbon, i was offered weed cocaine a few times in the range of like 1h..
i mean ok, it's decriminalized, but it's so easily available that it's not even funny..
the issue at hand is that while portugal has set a direction to "encourage" addicteds to resolve their problem, in turn the decriminalization of usage has made it so that the amount of seller has increased under the assumption that the possession is fine, even if they're stopped so far that the "reserve" on hand in that moment is small...

 

[F-Pina]

I've never been offered to buy drugs so much than in Portugal. It's like the same as a fidget spinner over there. Cocaine my friend?...I'll pass.

Like it was already said, only downtown.
I live here and have my offices downtown and I hate it, really gets on my nerves. Got into a small fight with one of these sellers once.

They can't arrest them because they are actually selling some leaves, sugar and so on, so they are in fact only tricking people. Recently the police did something to scare them away but they have returned after a few months.

 

[kiguel182]

Yeah, they are not actually selling drugs. It's a scheme. Mostly to trick tourists.

 

[veryslowhand]

I hate drugs but think that nobody should be in trouble for using or having them for personal use as long as they don't consume in public or drive while intoxicated. So hope more countries go the Portugal way.

 

[RocknRola]

As a native, I was pretty young when these changes were made (I was about 8 years old), but even then I clearly remember walking around town with my parents and them clearly avoiding areas (which today are completely requalified and as normal as they can be) because of the possibility of finding drug addicts, in plain daylight, using and abusing. It was "normal" to find dead addicts in the larger cities, or so my parents tell me.

I don't remember much more than that since I was young and obviously my parents avoided to the best of their efforts exposing me to such things, but pre-2001 (especially so in the late 90's) it was a huge problem. Addiction in general was massively high, infection rates for related deseases (especially AIDS, through the sharing of needles) were also massively high and the more traditional "arresting and jail users" technique was doing nothing to stop it.

This move, to decriminalize drugs (not legalize mind you, different things, dealers are still jailed) and start treating users as people with a disease/health problem rather than criminals, was one out of desperation. The country decided to gather the (at the time) top health specialists to find a solution (in which the political parties all commited to support, regardless for their own ideology) and thus this came to be.

The results are telling. Areas that were completely marginalized were recovered and are usable again, almost 90% of the resources now go into treatment and not detaining people, addiction rates are down, consumption rates are down (especially amoung younger people, surprisingly enough) related diseases are down, people are now not ostracized by society (of course there is always a bit of stigma, but not to the point where they feel they can't relate to the rest of society anymore), people aren't afraid of asking for help and getting treatment, there is also social support for these people to get back in the job market so they can lead a normal life once more.

All in all, as crazy as it may have sounded back then, this was the right move. Not sure if this is a solution that would globally work everywhere BUT if nothing else, it's proof that treating people is far more effective than just labelling them as criminals and locking them up.

 

[xptoxyz]

That's because you went to downtown or something which is mainly a tourist spot. It doesn't happen in most places. Or anywhere but there really.

If you went to Lisbon at least.

Edit: also drugs aren't legal. You simply aren't arrested if you are caught smoking a joint or something.
This is all about spending money in rehab instead of arresting folks.

Also worth mentioning some of those approaching people in those touristy places are not even selling drugs. There were reports of a network of people selling a paste made from bay leaf as if were hashish, but when caught they're not selling drugs so little happened to them. Police had English signage about this, similar to the fake drugs sold on the street in Amsterdam a while back.

edit: and already mentioned.

 

[Skellig Gra]

That's because you went to downtown or something which is mainly a tourist spot. It doesn't happen in most places. Or anywhere but there really.

If you went to Lisbon at least.

Edit: also drugs aren't legal. You simply aren't arrested if you are caught smoking a joint or something.
This is all about spending money in rehab instead of arresting folks.

Of course, hence the analogy to fidget spinners

 

[MUnited83]

I've never been offered to buy drugs so much than in Portugal. It's like the same as a fidget spinner over there. Cocaine my friend?...I'll pass.

I'm going to get it was on the Bairro Alto/ Baixa area. Outside of those areas is rare, and even rarer anywhere that isn't Lisbon. Not to mention most people selling "cocaine" are only selling fakes.

Selling and carrying past a certain amount is still a crime. Sometimes this topic does paint an image that is not accurate at all.

Not jailing addicts is the extent of this. We send them to rehab instead.

We do also provide better conditions for the ones that refuse rehab. We have a extensive syringe exchange program for example.

 

[xptoxyz]

CBC had a piece I remember being pretty good coverage of the program, going as far as showing someone caught with a enough to be a "user" rather than trafficker being presented to the addiction prevention committee. I think The Economist also had a shorter piece, which I believe only showed the needle replacement street teams also show in this one.

 

[Mr Git]

The money they saved by not arresting, charging and imprisoning drug users has gone into excellent rehab schemes for those who need it. Our government and media is too conservative (lowercase) to ever follow suit and it's a shame. Something like this could turn around prison systems in places where there's overcrowding, i.e. the UK but especially the US.

 

[Fisty]

You can buy all the most addictive and damaging drugs in America from your local pharmacist, legally. Sadly, we have a much different problem here, it seems.

Great for Portugal though, that's an amazing success story

 

[Diprosalic]

I've never been offered to buy drugs so much than in Portugal. It's like the same as a fidget spinner over there. Cocaine my friend?...I'll pass.

Happens in spain too.
I always wonder if the stuff they sell is any good.

 

[Berto]

Still remember, as a kid in the 80's and 90's Lisbon suburbs it was so depressingly common to see junkies on the streets, to a point that on my infant eyes it was a normal situation, like... It's part if life, ignore it. Nowadays its hard to find one, specially those completely wasted no return possible cases. I'm proud of what we managed to achieve in such a relatively small time span, and proud that my children will not be raised in similar reality than me.

 

[y2dvd]

Wish US stop having the attitude of nothing can be done. It can be, we are just choosing not to decriminalize drug addiction.

https://youtu.be/wJUXLqNHCaI

 

[Always-honest]

Yeah don't expect this to change in countries where idiots are in power (with idiots in power, i also mean the people who vote).

 

[nubbe]

help and opportunities is the way to go

punishment culture need to die

 

[MrKaepora]

Happens in spain too.
I always wonder if the stuff they sell is any good.

To get high? Nope

For seasoning your food? Excellent quality.

 

[Elfotografoalocado]

this..
went i went to lisbon, i was offered weed cocaine a few times in the range of like 1h..
i mean ok, it's decriminalized, but it's so easily available that it's not even funny..
the issue at hand is that while portugal has set a direction to "encourage" addicteds to resolve their problem, in turn the decriminalization of usage has made it so that the amount of seller has increased under the assumption that the possession is fine, even if they're stopped so far that the "reserve" on hand in that moment is small...

You were spotted as a tourist, probably American. Americans are known for consuming drugs, they saw you as a potential client.

 

[kiguel182]

I'm going to get it was on the Bairro Alto/ Baixa area. Outside of those areas is rare, and even rarer anywhere that isn't Lisbon. Not to mention most people selling "cocaine" are only selling fakes.

We do also provide better conditions for the ones that refuse rehab. We have a extensive syringe exchange program for example.

Yeah the medical support is good. It’s a great way to handle things and the right way. Being an addict is a disease not a crime.

Selling fake drugs to fool tourists isn’t the result of this lol

 

[MUnited83]

Yeah don't expect this to change in countries where idiots are in power (with idiots in power, i also mean the people who vote).

As if Portugal didn't have their fair share of idiots in power

Yeah the medical support is good. It’s a great way to handle things and the right way. Being an addict is a disease not a crime.

Selling fake drugs to fool tourists isn’t the result of this lol

Oh I'm not saying it is. Scammers would exist even if the laws weren't like this. I'm just disputing the notion of stuff like cocaine being readily available "like fidget spinners"

 

[Familienoberhauptvogel]

We'll I checked and we've decriminalized possession for personal use in austria since the 80ies but we're way up high in this chart so you gotta do something else right.

 

[entremet]

We'll I checked and we've decriminalized possession for personal use in austria since the 80ies but we're way up high in this chart so you gotta do something else right.

Portugal didn't just decriminalze. They created addiction treatment programs as well, so that would explain it.

 

[kiguel182]

As if Portugal didn't have their fair share of idiots in power

Still better than the US.

We'll I checked and we've decriminalized possession for personal use in austria since the 80ies but we're way up high in this chart so you gotta do something else right.

We have a lot of medical support and help to addicts. Don’t know how it is there but decriminalizatiom by itself isn’t the reason.

 

[Familienoberhauptvogel]

Portugal didn't just decriminalze. They created addiction treatment programs as well, so that would explain it.

We have those too and I can't even point to the neighbouring countries exporting it considering most of them are also way down.

Maybe we are the problem.

 

[Always-honest]

As if Portugal didn't have their fair share of idiots in power

Oh every country does. But the smart ones get a chance every now and then.

 

[Hex]

I think we have bigger issues at the moment

 

[RocknRola]

We'll I checked and we've decriminalized possession for personal use in austria since the 80ies but we're way up high in this chart so you gotta do something else right.

Wow @ Estonia :S

 

[darkwing]

share this with President Duterte

 

[Peter Ian Staker]

Title is misleading.

They decriminalized the possession of drugs which many western nations have done realizing that locking up addicts is doing more harm than good.

 

[RocknRola]

Title is misleading.

They decriminalized the possession of drugs which many western nations have done realizing that locking up addicts is doing more harm than good.

Again, that's just part of what was done. Proper treatment, social reintegration and an actual humane treatment of users, coupled with the decriminalization of drugs, is what lead to this:

 

[FoxSpirit]

We'll I checked and we've decriminalized possession for personal use in austria since the 80ies but we're way up high in this chart so you gotta do something else right.

We rrally didn't. The least you get is "probation for trial" and often forced medical intervention.
Strike in probation and you go on trial. And most drugs give you a reported conviction which can loose you your job.

How is this decriminalized? I was lucky the psych test years ago was so good the doc decided I didn't need further monitoring. For a miniscule amount of weed. They even illegally took my prints.

 

[Familienoberhauptvogel]

We rrally didn't. The least you get is "probation for trial" and often forced medical intervention.
Strike in probation and you go on trial. And most drugs give you a reported conviction which can loose you your job.

How is this decriminalized? I was lucky the psych test years ago was so good the doc decided I didn't need further monitoring. For a miniscule amount of weed. They even illegally took my prints.

None of that should have happened.