http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1893946,00.html
QuotePop quiz: Which European country has the most liberal drug laws? (Hint: It's not the Netherlands.)
Although its capital is notorious among stoners and college kids for marijuana haze–filled "coffee shops," Holland has never actually legalized cannabis — the Dutch simply don't enforce their laws against the shops. The correct answer is Portugal, which in 2001 became the first European country to officially abolish all criminal penalties for personal possession of drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.
At the recommendation of a national commission charged with addressing Portugal's drug problem, jail time was replaced with the offer of therapy. The argument was that the fear of prison drives addicts underground and that incarceration is more expensive than treatment — so why not give drug addicts health services instead? Under Portugal's new regime, people found guilty of possessing small amounts of drugs are sent to a panel consisting of a psychologist, social worker and legal adviser for appropriate treatment (which may be refused without criminal punishment), instead of jail.
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The question is, does the new policy work? At the time, critics in the poor, socially conservative and largely Catholic nation said decriminalizing drug possession would open the country to "drug tourists" and exacerbate Portugal's drug problem; the country had some of the highest levels of hard-drug use in Europe. But the recently released results of a report commissioned by the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, suggest otherwise.
The paper, published by Cato in April, found that in the five years after personal possession was decriminalized, illegal drug use among teens in Portugal declined and rates of new HIV infections caused by sharing of dirty needles dropped, while the number of people seeking treatment for drug addiction more than doubled.
"Judging by every metric, decriminalization in Portugal has been a resounding success," says Glenn Greenwald, an attorney, author and fluent Portuguese speaker, who conducted the research. "It has enabled the Portuguese government to manage and control the drug problem far better than virtually every other Western country does."
Compared to the European Union and the U.S., Portugal's drug use numbers are impressive. Following decriminalization, Portugal had the lowest rate of lifetime marijuana use in people over 15 in the E.U.: 10%. The most comparable figure in America is in people over 12: 39.8%. Proportionally, more Americans have used cocaine than Portuguese have used marijuana.
The Cato paper reports that between 2001 and 2006 in Portugal, rates of lifetime use of any illegal drug among seventh through ninth graders fell from 14.1% to 10.6%; drug use in older teens also declined. Lifetime heroin use among 16-to-18-year-olds fell from 2.5% to 1.8% (although there was a slight increase in marijuana use in that age group). New HIV infections in drug users fell by 17% between 1999 and 2003, and deaths related to heroin and similar drugs were cut by more than half. In addition, the number of people on methadone and buprenorphine treatment for drug addiction rose to 14,877 from 6,040, after decriminalization, and money saved on enforcement allowed for increased funding of drug-free treatment as well.
Portugal's case study is of some interest to lawmakers in the U.S., confronted now with the violent overflow of escalating drug gang wars in Mexico. The U.S. has long championed a hard-line drug policy, supporting only international agreements that enforce drug prohibition and imposing on its citizens some of the world's harshest penalties for drug possession and sales. Yet America has the highest rates of cocaine and marijuana use in the world, and while most of the E.U. (including Holland) has more liberal drug laws than the U.S., it also has less drug use.
"I think we can learn that we should stop being reflexively opposed when someone else does [decriminalize] and should take seriously the possibility that anti-user enforcement isn't having much influence on our drug consumption," says Mark Kleiman, author of the forthcoming When Brute Force Fails: How to Have Less Crime and Less Punishment and director of the drug policy analysis program at UCLA. Kleiman does not consider Portugal a realistic model for the U.S., however, because of differences in size and culture between the two countries.
But there is a movement afoot in the U.S., in the legislatures of New York State, California and Massachusetts, to reconsider our overly punitive drug laws. Recently, Senators Jim Webb and Arlen Specter proposed that Congress create a national commission, not unlike Portugal's, to deal with prison reform and overhaul drug-sentencing policy. As Webb noted, the U.S. is home to 5% of the global population but 25% of its prisoners.
At the Cato Institute in early April, Greenwald contended that a major problem with most American drug policy debate is that it's based on "speculation and fear mongering," rather than empirical evidence on the effects of more lenient drug policies. In Portugal, the effect was to neutralize what had become the country's number one public health problem, he says.
"The impact in the life of families and our society is much lower than it was before decriminalization," says Joao Castel-Branco Goulao, Portugual's "drug czar" and president of the Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction, adding that police are now able to re-focus on tracking much higher level dealers and larger quantities of drugs.
Peter Reuter, a professor of criminology and public policy at the University of Maryland, like Kleiman, is skeptical. He conceded in a presentation at the Cato Institute that "it's fair to say that decriminalization in Portugal has met its central goal. Drug use did not rise." However, he notes that Portugal is a small country and that the cyclical nature of drug epidemics — which tends to occur no matter what policies are in place — may account for the declines in heroin use and deaths.
The Cato report's author, Greenwald, hews to the first point: that the data shows that decriminalization does not result in increased drug use. Since that is what concerns the public and policymakers most about decriminalization, he says, "that is the central concession that will transform the debate."
So...I've long thought this to be a sound idea.
I only heard of Portugal having these laws a few weeks back though and it took me quite by surprise. Nifty.
Sorry, but any Portugal "coolness", real or perceived, is immediately offset by the Languish eggplants that populate it. So solly.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on August 13, 2009, 05:23:54 AM
Sorry, but any Portugal "coolness", real or perceived, is immediately offset by the Languish eggplants that populate it. So solly.
:(
Brasil's cooler.
Portuguese waiters stole our money while I was there on holiday. So, no, Portugal is not awesome. :mad:
I bet America grows better pot than Portugal. :P
Josq descends further into uselessness with his eggplant love.
Liberal drug laws turn your country into a shithole?
Quote from: Neil on August 13, 2009, 08:02:58 AM
Liberal drug laws turn your country into a shithole?
What did Portugal enact those laws in the 1590s sometime?
Quote from: CountDeMoney on August 13, 2009, 05:23:54 AM
Sorry, but any Portugal "coolness", real or perceived, is immediately offset by the Languish eggplants that populate it. So solly.
Pork chops :p . Eggplants are Italian :contract:
Quote from: HVC on August 13, 2009, 09:57:12 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on August 13, 2009, 05:23:54 AM
Sorry, but any Portugal "coolness", real or perceived, is immediately offset by the Languish eggplants that populate it. So solly.
Pork chops :p . Eggplants are Italian :contract:
I knew this was going to be the post when I saw your name in the last poster spot. :contract:
You know there are reasons why I like POrtugal and the Portuguese, but drug laws are NOT one of them. :angry:
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on August 13, 2009, 10:25:21 AM
Quote from: HVC on August 13, 2009, 09:57:12 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on August 13, 2009, 05:23:54 AM
Sorry, but any Portugal "coolness", real or perceived, is immediately offset by the Languish eggplants that populate it. So solly.
Pork chops :p . Eggplants are Italian :contract:
I knew this was going to be the post when I saw your name in the last poster spot. :contract:
I'm all for ethnic slurs, but accuracy is key :lol:
Yes.
This article is based on a study by Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. Have there been studies done by more credible organizations?
I think drugs should be legalized, but one in a hundred batches should be poisoned by law. That would be a win-win in my eyes: drug users would get cheap drugs, and cheap thrills from wondering whether their next dose of dope would be the one to kill them, and society wins by killing off the hopeless junkies.
Quote from: Barrister on August 13, 2009, 10:27:18 AM
You know there are reasons why I like POrtugal and the Portuguese,
:mad:
*adds Beeb to the list*
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 13, 2009, 12:32:26 PM
Quote from: Barrister on August 13, 2009, 10:27:18 AM
You know there are reasons why I like POrtugal and the Portuguese,
:mad:
*adds Beeb to the list*
More bifanas for me then. :mmm:
Quote from: Barrister on August 13, 2009, 12:39:24 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 13, 2009, 12:32:26 PM
Quote from: Barrister on August 13, 2009, 10:27:18 AM
You know there are reasons why I like POrtugal and the Portuguese,
:mad:
*adds Beeb to the list*
More bifanas for me then. :mmm:
Good for you. My grace is withdrawn from you and you are cast into the darkness.
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 13, 2009, 12:44:59 PM
Quote from: Barrister on August 13, 2009, 12:39:24 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 13, 2009, 12:32:26 PM
Quote from: Barrister on August 13, 2009, 10:27:18 AM
You know there are reasons why I like POrtugal and the Portuguese,
:mad:
*adds Beeb to the list*
More bifanas for me then. :mmm:
Good for you. My grace is withdrawn from you and you are cast into the darkness.
Why can't we all just get along?
The Church of Ed (est 2009) will not truck with Portuguese and Portuguese lovers.
Portugal is so uncool that it has the most liberal drug laws in europe, but still doesn't get druggie tourists.
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 13, 2009, 12:50:58 PM
The Church of Ed (est 2009) will not truck with Portuguese and Portuguese lovers.
Why have you foresaken me!!! :weep:
Quote from: HVC on August 13, 2009, 01:59:05 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 13, 2009, 12:50:58 PM
The Church of Ed (est 2009) will not truck with Portuguese and Portuguese lovers.
Why have you foresaken me!!! :weep:
The Church views you as Canadian.
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 13, 2009, 12:50:58 PM
The Church of Ed (est 2009) will not truck with Portuguese and Portuguese lovers.
My brother is, at this very moment, down in Brazil visiting his Brazilian girlfriend's family. Now that's the kind of Portuguese loving I can support. :thumbsup:
Quote from: Viking on August 13, 2009, 12:59:33 PM
Portugal is so uncool that it has the most liberal drug laws in europe, but still doesn't get druggie tourists.
:lol:
True.
As I said I just heard of this a few months back but its been in place for years. Yet still its Amsterdam that gets swarmed...
You'd think Portugal would be a better prospect- uber cheap, ungodly hot weather, nice beaches (excepting jellyfish), etc...
Proof that people go to 'Dam for the sex not the pot I guess.
Quote from: Tyr on August 13, 2009, 03:08:02 PM
Quote from: Viking on August 13, 2009, 12:59:33 PM
Portugal is so uncool that it has the most liberal drug laws in europe, but still doesn't get druggie tourists.
:lol:
True.
As I said I just heard of this a few months back but its been in place for years. Yet still its Amsterdam that gets swarmed...
You'd think Portugal would be a better prospect- uber cheap, ungodly hot weather, nice beaches (excepting jellyfish), etc...
Proof that people go to 'Dam for the sex not the pot I guess.
Indeed. Dutch Women are hotter.
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 13, 2009, 02:00:41 PM
Quote from: HVC on August 13, 2009, 01:59:05 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 13, 2009, 12:50:58 PM
The Church of Ed (est 2009) will not truck with Portuguese and Portuguese lovers.
Why have you foresaken me!!! :weep:
The Church views you as Canadian.
:hug:
Quote from: HVC on August 13, 2009, 03:32:41 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 13, 2009, 02:00:41 PM
Quote from: HVC on August 13, 2009, 01:59:05 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 13, 2009, 12:50:58 PM
The Church of Ed (est 2009) will not truck with Portuguese and Portuguese lovers.
Why have you foresaken me!!! :weep:
The Church views you as Canadian.
:hug:
You'll always be a bald porkchop to me though. :P
Quote from: Barrister on August 13, 2009, 03:41:17 PM
You'll always be a bald porkchop to me though. :P
I'll take what i can get :D
Although, if you haven't been around many porkchops, most are very short. i'm a giant amongst my people lol
Quote from: HVC on August 13, 2009, 03:32:26 PM
Indeed. Dutch Women are hotter.
hmm....iffy. The Dutch are all tall which is good but they also tend more towards boring blonde whilst the Portuguese are latin and exotic....Also since Portugal isn't a sex tourism destination the women are probably more receptive to foreigners.
Quote from: DGuller on August 13, 2009, 11:28:15 AM
This article is based on a study by Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. Have there been studies done by more credible organizations?
I saw a show about this on the BBC before this report, it had much the same statistics.
I love Portugal. Great country and I think Lisbon is about the most laidback capital city I've ever been to.
Quote from: DGuller on August 13, 2009, 11:28:15 AM
This article is based on a study by Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. Have there been studies done by more credible organizations?
Are you being ironic, or is this an example of your famous objectivity?
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 13, 2009, 12:50:58 PM
The Church of Ed (est 2009) will not truck with Portuguese and Portuguese lovers.
Your church is false, but your doctrine is correct. That's an interesting theological question: Should believers in a false god be slaughtered, even if some or most of their beliefs are correct?
Quote from: Neil on August 13, 2009, 08:45:33 PM
Your church is false, but your doctrine is correct. That's an interesting theological question: Should believers in a false god be slaughtered, even if some or most of their beliefs are correct?
Clearly. Individual beliefs don't matter a jot if they deny Grace itself. It's like paying some or most taxes and claiming your not a criminal.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 13, 2009, 08:23:57 PM
Quote from: DGuller on August 13, 2009, 11:28:15 AM
This article is based on a study by Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. Have there been studies done by more credible organizations?
Are you being ironic, or is this an example of your famous objectivity?
No, I'm not ironic. They're a highly ideological think tank, so everything that they publish is slanted and cherry-picked to suit their ideology. Every time I read the essay from one of their contributors on the subject I have some expert knowledge on, such as insurance matters, I came away highly unimpressed.
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 13, 2009, 08:58:36 PM
Quote from: Neil on August 13, 2009, 08:45:33 PM
Your church is false, but your doctrine is correct. That's an interesting theological question: Should believers in a false god be slaughtered, even if some or most of their beliefs are correct?
Clearly. Individual beliefs don't matter a jot if they deny Grace itself. It's like paying some or most taxes and claiming your not a criminal.
I don't grant My grace, even to those who worship Me.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 13, 2009, 08:23:57 PM
Quote from: DGuller on August 13, 2009, 11:28:15 AM
This article is based on a study by Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. Have there been studies done by more credible organizations?
Are you being ironic, or is this an example of your famous objectivity?
Are you simply being naive?
Quote from: Viking on August 13, 2009, 12:59:33 PM
Portugal is so uncool that it has the most liberal drug laws in europe, but still doesn't get druggie tourists.
We get more than enough drunken North European tourists so no thanks.
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 13, 2009, 08:17:58 PM
Quote from: DGuller on August 13, 2009, 11:28:15 AM
This article is based on a study by Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. Have there been studies done by more credible organizations?
I saw a show about this on the BBC before this report, it had much the same statistics.
I love Portugal. Great country and I think Lisbon is about the most laidback capital city I've ever been to.
Most provincial capital ever indeed. :lol:
Portugal = fail. Can we please move on?
Quote from: The Brain on August 14, 2009, 04:43:58 PM
Portugal = fail. Can we please move on?
Portugal = Cool. Can we please move on?
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 14, 2009, 04:22:23 PM
Most provincial capital ever indeed. :lol:
:blush: That's another way of putting it. But it is a lovely city.
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 14, 2009, 06:52:04 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 14, 2009, 04:22:23 PM
Most provincial capital ever indeed. :lol:
:blush: That's another way of putting it. But it is a lovely city.
I beg to differ and don't get me started on the average Lisboete....
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 15, 2009, 04:54:15 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 14, 2009, 06:52:04 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 14, 2009, 04:22:23 PM
Most provincial capital ever indeed. :lol:
:blush: That's another way of putting it. But it is a lovely city.
I beg to differ and don't get me started on the average Lisboete....
nigger please. Self-hate is so Portuguese...
Quote from: I Killed Kenny on August 15, 2009, 06:50:02 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 15, 2009, 04:54:15 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on August 14, 2009, 06:52:04 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on August 14, 2009, 04:22:23 PM
Most provincial capital ever indeed. :lol:
:blush: That's another way of putting it. But it is a lovely city.
I beg to differ and don't get me started on the average Lisboete....
nigger please. Self-hate is so Portuguese...
Self-hate? :lmfao:
I am not a Lisboete thanks.
Yeah IKK, even random foreigners know that the northerners don't care for Lisbon :lol:
Anyway, Portugal is a great place to visit. Though, I would ask, why does the economy stick so resolutely to the relegation zone of the EU table? Is it location, monumental governmental incompetence? I think we should be told.