Drug decriminalization in portugal pdf

The story of decriminalization in portugal has become a kind of screen onto which drug policy agendas are projected. The effects of decriminalization of drug use in portugal. In 1999, portugal had the highest rate of drugrelated aids in the european union, the second highest prevalence of hiv among people who inject drugs, and drug overdose deaths were rapidly increasing. On july 1, 2001, a nationwide law in portugal took effect that decriminalized all drugs, includ ing cocaine and heroin. In 2001, portugal decriminalized drug use and possession of small quantities of. Drug decriminalization and the price of illicit drugs. In july 2001, portugal introduced a new law, law 302000, which significantly changed the legal response to drug users.

Article pdf available january 2007 with 1,681 reads how we measure reads a read is counted each time someone views a publication. Under the new legal framework, all drugs were decriminalized, not legalized. In july 2001, portugal decriminalized the personal use and possession of all illicit drugs. The reality is that portugals drug situation has improved significantly in several key. Drug decriminalisation united nations office on drugs. Drug decriminalization in portugal obama white house archives.

Uses and abuses of drug decriminalization in portugal berkeley law. Under the new legal framework, all drugs were decriminalized, not. Institute for drugs and drug addiction, 20 national. A 2015 study found that since portugal approved the new national strategy in 1999 that led to decriminalization, the per capita social cost of drug misuse decreased by 18%. Portugals 2001 decriminalization law did not legalize drugs as is. On july 1, 2001, a nationwide law in portugal took effect that decriminalized all drugs, including cocaine and heroin. The effect of drug decriminalization in portugal on homicide and.

What architects of the portuguese model emphasize is that ending criminalization alone did not cause the impressive improvements in the lives of people who use drugs. One moderate alternative to the war on drugs is to follow portugal s lead and decriminalize all drug use while maintaining the illegality of drug tra cking. Its possible to deal with drug users outside the criminal system. Also examined is the political climate in portugal both pre.

Portugal s drug policy exceed the existing scienti. Notably, decriminalization has become increasingly popular in portugal since 2001. Results of the portuguese experience demonstrate that drug decriminalization alongside a serious investment in treatment and harm. Pdf uses and abuses of drug decriminalization in portugal. Portugals decriminalization system, there are ample data enabling its effects to be assessed. Pdf in 2001, portugal decriminalized the acquisition, possession, and use of small quantities of all psychoactive drugs.