Brian Vastag » decriminalization http://brianvastag.net Science Journalist Sat, 15 Jan 2011 20:50:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 5 Years After: Portugal’s Drug Decriminalization Policy Shows Positive Results http://brianvastag.net/2009/04/5-years-after-portugals-drug-decriminalization-policy-shows-positive-results/ http://brianvastag.net/2009/04/5-years-after-portugals-drug-decriminalization-policy-shows-positive-results/#comments Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:51:15 +0000 Brian http://brianvastag.net/?p=35 ScientificAmerican.com.]]> sciam In the face of a growing number of deaths and cases of HIV linked to drug abuse, the Portuguese government in 2001 tried a new tack to get a handle on the problem—it decriminalized the use and possession of heroin, cocaine, marijuana, LSD and other illicit street drugs. The theory: focusing on treatment and prevention instead of jailing users would decrease the number of deaths and infections. [READ STORY]

Published at ScientificAmerican.com.

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