Portugal Drug Decriminalization

Portugal decriminalize drug possession in 2001. Since then HIV infection rates are down, drug overdose deaths are down, and drug use is down.


Portugal's experience shows decriminalization can work
Both drug-related pathologies and overall drug use have decreased there since its drug law was moderated
BY PETER MCKNIGHT, VANCOUVER SUN COLUMNIST
APRIL 18, 2009
... Portugal formally decriminalized possession of all illicit drugs in 2001. ...
According to American constitutional lawyer Glenn Greenwald, who produced a report on Portugal's drug policy for the Washington-based Cato Institute, decriminalization has led to a reduction in drug-related pathologies -- precisely what advocates predicted -- and a reduction in drug use -- precisely the opposite of what opponents feared.

While experiencing severe drug problems in the 1990s, Portugal formed the Commission for a National Drug Strategy, which issued in 1998 a report stressing that criminalization drove resources away from treatment and deterred people from seeking help for addiction. Consequently, the commission recommended decriminalization to reduce both the use and abuse of illicit drugs.
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