Portugal decriminalizes drugs: drug abuse cut in half

[Piggie]

Ten years ago, Portugal decriminalized all drugs. One decade after this unprecedented experiment, drug abuse is down by half:

Health experts in Portugal said Friday that Portugal’s decision 10 years ago to decriminalize drug use and treat addicts rather than punishing them is an experiment that has worked. . . .

The number of addicts considered “problematic” — those who repeatedly use “hard” drugs and intravenous users — had fallen by half since the early 1990s, when the figure was estimated at around 100,000 people, Goulao said.

Other factors had also played their part however, Goulao, a medical doctor added.

“This development can not only be attributed to decriminalization but to a confluence of treatment and risk reduction policies.”

Many of these innovative treatment procedures would not have emerged if addicts had continued to be arrested and locked up rather than treated by medical experts and psychologists.

Portugal decriminalizes drugs: drug abuse cut in half*|*American Vision News

No one should use force to prevent an adult from putting something into their body. Governments do not own their people.

[hippie420]

The US Government should take notes... This is how real intelligent people act. Very good post Piggie!
K+ brother (You must spread reputation to other before giving it to piggie again....)