In 2001, Portugal became the first country to decriminalize the possession and consumption of all illicit substances. Rather than being arrested, those caught with a personal supply might be given a warning, a small fine, or be appointed a doctor or social worker to help them with harm reduction. Soon after, the country’s opioid crisis stabilized, problematic drug use declined, and HIV infections plummeted to an all time low. If Portugal’s radical drugs policy is working, why hasn’t the rest of the world copied it?
The case of Portugal: Why decriminalizing all drugs reduces addiction
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