5 Years After: Portugal’s Drug Decriminalization Policy Shows Positive Results
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.
Dear Brian, In your article you state, “Drug legalization removes all criminal penalties for producing, selling and using drugs; no country has tried it.” I beg to differ. We have legalized alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, as well as a host of other substances that can only be defined as “drugs.” I don’t mean to quibble, but until we truthfully acknowledge that these substances are drugs too, even subtle references like yours undermines the quality of any intelligent debate about a sane drug policy in this country. Enjoyed your article. Keep up the good work. Vince Bowers