Drug policy in portugal pdf free

Apr 21, 2016 its hard to see proof of that now, but portugals history with drug abuse was certainly once troublesome. In portugal, drug use is treated as a medical issue, not a. Portugal drug policy is problematic and unsuitable for australia. In 2001, portugal decriminalized drug use and possession of small quantities of drugs for. Fears that portugal would become a haven for drug tourists have not come true and the number of deaths from drugs has decreased. Although it is liberal in its own way, it still try to reduce as much as it can the prevalence of drug use along with putting harm reduction and. Drug policy in the russian federation sciencedirect. The articles featured in this issue provide foundational data to inform active reconsideration. Stevens, alex december 2007, the effects of decriminalization of drug use in portugal pdf, briefing paper 14. Public health as a basis for drug policy in portugal december 9, 2015. Russia, also officially known as the russian federation, is the largest country in the world and is the worlds ninth most populous country, which had a population of more than 144 million at the end of 2015.

Portugals decriminalization approach in tackling drugs. The drug policy system in portugal is definitely a model drug policy for the europe as can be analysed throughout the essay. Switch towards more restrictive policy due to increase in drug use leading to social problem. Parallels since 2001, possession or use of any drug has been treated as a health issue in portugal. Country drug report 2017 portugal 2 national drug strategy and coordination national drug strategy portuguese drug policy is detailed in three strategic documents national strategy for the fight against drugs 1999, national plan against drugs and drug addiction 200512 and national plan for the reduction of addictive behaviours and. Transform drug policy foundation is an independent charity that works to change the way drugs are controlled. Dec 23, 2017 even so, portugals drug mortality rate is the lowest in western europe onetenth the rate of britain or denmark and about onefiftieth of the latest number in the us. The beckley foundation drug policy programme is a member of the international drug policy consortium idpc. Institute for drugs and drug addiction, 20 national. Portugal treats addicts as patients, not as criminals, after 15 years of decriminalised drug policy. Uses and abuses of drug decriminalization in portugal berkeley law. We investigate especially the impact of the policy change on the price of illicit drugs. Apr 18, 2017 in portugal, drug use is treated as a medical issue, not a crime.

This report presents the toplevel overview of the drug phenomenon in portugal, covering drug supply, use and public health problems as well as drug policy and responses. According to the report, after 5 years of the decriminalization policy have been implemented, study shows that drug use within the country decreased tremendously. The country was suffering from a huge heroin problem. What the world can learn from drug policy change in switzerland. Drug policy in portugal is a lucid, penetrating and timely study about the impact of drug. Although it is liberal in its own way, it still try to reduce as much as it can the prevalence of drug use along with putting harm reduction and treatment programmes central in its war against drugs. The office of national drug control policy ondcp is a component of the executive office of the president which works to reduce drug use and its consequences by leading and coordinating the. It considers national strategies and action plans, the legal context within which they operate and the. The methadone programme is part of a drug policy shift that portugal underwent 15 years ago, under the leftleaning government of jorge sampaio. The benefits of decriminalizing drug use is the second in a series of publications by the open society foundations global drug policy program that seeks to document positive examples of drug policy reform around the world.

The drug policy of portugal was put in place in 2001, and was legally effective from july 2001. Portugal decriminalised drugs 14 years ago and now. Drug policy in the netherlands ucsd cognitive science. Portugal decriminalised drugs 14 years ago and now hardly. Drug decriminalization and the price of illicit drugs. I was introduced to the portuguese experience during a visit to the country in january 2011. The aim of this study is to show the circumstances that led to the current drug policy in portugal, the mechanisms used to effect this change and, most importantly, to discuss the values and ideas behind portuguese drug policy, how it works, and what the impact has been on. The following information is available for download. In portugal, drug use is treated as a medical issue, not a crime. Portugal decriminalised the possession of all drugs for personal use in 2001, and. Sep 04, 2010 what britain could learn from portugals drugs policy. The benefits of decriminalizing drug use, open society foundations global drug policy program, p.

The number of deaths by drug overdose in portugal is actually one of the lowest in all of the european union, at just 4. Pdf uses and abuses of drug decriminalization in portugal. Its time for a new approach grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights. What britain could learn from portugals drugs policy. Parallels since 2001, possession or use of any drug has been treated as a health issue in. In 2012, the total of 1,636 drug misuse deaths was the lowest number recorded since 2004. For over 50 years, the war on drugs has harmed communities, increased the risk to individuals and gifted a multibillion dollar trade to organised crime. The country has 3 overdose deaths per million citizens, compared to the eu average. What britain could learn from portugals drugs policy world. Manuel pinto coelho, president of the association for a drug free.

Drug policy approach liberalsimilar to the dutch policy. At recommendation, jail time was replaced with the offer of therapy. In 1970 portugal made the first drug prohibition policy decreelaw 42070 under an authoritarian government, the regulation was intended to control drug use, drug manufacture, and drug trade and. Portugal began legislating on drug issues as early as the1920s, when the national legal framework was adapted to the recommendations of the international opium convention of 1912 dias, 2007. First, they decriminalized all drugs, even heroin and cocaine. In this paper, i analyse the portuguese drug policy, its historical. Swedish drug policy a balanced policy based on health. The number of deaths by drug overdose in portugal is actually one of the lowest in all of the european union. Numbers have since risen year on year before falling slightly in 2017. Portugals policy has opened the door for other countries to rethink.

Even so, portugals drug mortality rate is the lowest in western europe onetenth the rate of britain or denmark and about onefiftieth of the latest number in the us. The drug policy system in portugal criminology essay. Ap photo paulo duarte on july 1st, 2001, portugal decriminalized every imaginable drug, from marijuana, to cocaine, to heroin. The portuguese policy of decriminalization of the consumption, acquisition, and the possession for personal use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is known in the entire world as one of the most successful policies of its kind. Findings from the 201718 crime survey for england and wales, 26 july 2018. The new face of big tobacco the truth on portugal portugan vs tough on drugs integrated drug policy manuel cardoso sicad zip file drr portugal policy analysis 2018 the truth on portugal qld mental health commissioner last five years. Uses and abuses of drug decriminalization in portugal. B this sample policy is offered only as a guide in no event will we be liable for any loss or damage without. In 2012, sweden notorious for its hardline drug policy and absence of harm reduction measures had levels of druginduced mortality thirty times those of portugal. The aim of this study is to show the circumstances that led to the current drug policy in portugal, the mechanisms used to effect this change and, most importantly, to discuss the values and ideas behind portuguese drug policy, how it works, and what the impact has been on drug use and drug harms within portugal. The analysis is performed using a differenceindifferences approach anda comprehensive set of countries as control group.

Portugal has been the first country to fully decriminalize all drugs usage since 2001. But critics of the policy, such as the association for a drugfree portugal, say overall. It considers national strategies and action plans, the legal context within which they operate and the public funds spent, or committed, to resource them. The statistical data reported relate to 2015 or most recent year and are provided to the emcdda by the national focal point, unless stated otherwise. Pt portugal, the country the national coordination the national plan for the reduction of addictive behaviours and dependencies. Exploring drug treatment experiences among injection drug users in tijuana, mexico, and their implications for drug law reform. Its history, its success and its future show all authors. This report by the law library of congress provides information on the law on the decriminalization of narcotics in argentina, australia, brazil, canada, costa rica, czech republic, germany, ireland, israel, mexico, netherlands, new zealand, norway, portugal, south africa, and uruguay. However, the offense was changed from a criminal one, with prison as possible punishment. Jun 12, 2017 greenwald argued that a major problem with most american drug policy debate is that its based on speculation and fear mongering, rather than empirical evidence on the effects of more lenient drug policies. I met with political leaders, health professionals, social workers, researchers and experts on. Portugals decriminalization approach in tackling drugs problem.

In 2001, it became the first european country to abolish all criminal penalties for personal possession of drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. This first profile describes the national drug policy of portugal, a policy that has. Some thought lisbon would become a drug tourist haven, others. Crime, portugals policy has reportedly not led to an increase in drug tourism. February 2015 portugal enacted one of the most extensive drug law reforms in the world when it decriminalized lowlevel possession and use of all illicit drugs nearly a decade and a half ago. And it has rates of hepatitis c among drug users much higher than the european average as well. Portugals decriminalized drug policy has been cited as proof that softening drug laws does not increase illicit drug use or the consequences of drug use.

The benefits of decriminalizing drug use is the second in a series of reports by the open society global drug policy program that documents positive examples of drug policy reform around the world the first being from the mountaintops. Dec 05, 2017 portugals radical drugs policy is working. Lisbons lighttouch drugs policy in 2001, the portugese government decriminalised recreational drugs including heroin and cocaine in an attempt to reduce the number of hard drug users in the country. The new law maintained the status of illegality for using or possessing any drug for personal use without authorization. Decriminalisation and public health citywide drugs crisis campaign.

Sweden has also signed conventions on human rights and within the framework of the vision of a drug free society, people with drug abuse problems must be entitled to effective and humane treatment, initiatives to protect them against infection and other psychosocial initiatives. This publication is available as a pdf on the open society. The benefits of decriminalizing drug use is the second in a series of reports by the open society foundations global drug policy program that documents positive examples of drug policy reform around the world the first being from the mountaintops. This first profile describes the national drug policy of portugal, a policy that has attracted significant attention recently in the media and in policy debates. Drug decriminalization in portugal drug policy alliance. The drug policy of portugal called the drug strategy, was put in place in 2000, and was.

In 2001, portugal decriminalized the use and possession of illicit drugs while it. Swedish drug policy a balanced policy based on health and. Drug policy in portugal is a lucid, penetrating and timely study about the impact of drug decriminalization on peoples health and public security. This contention is based primarily on the findings published in a 2009 cato institute report. In response, following the advice of a select committee, the portuguese government has recently issued a number of laws implementing a strong harmred. The effects of decriminalization of drug use in portugal. The 15th anniversary of the portuguese drug policy. But if the us could achieve portugals death rate from drugs, they would save one life every 10 minutes. Syvertsen j, pollini ra, lozada r, vera a, rangel g, strathdee sa. It turns out one of the most common claims about portugals widely acclaimed drug policy could be very misleading. To this end, drug policy researchers need to continue to provide a high quality evidence base with which to guide better policy responses and to continue to research ways of accelerating the pace of drug policy reform wood et al, 2010. Portugal has some of the most liberal drug laws in europe. Uses and abuses of drug decriminalization in portugal volume 40 issue 3 hannah laqueur.

Preface by fernando henrique cardoso1 drug policy in portugal is a lucid, penetrating and timely study about the impact of drug decriminalization on peoples health and public security. Uses and abuses of drug decriminalization in portugal law. The portuguese case no longer an experience, a success. In portugal, the effect was to neutralize what had become the countrys number one public health problem. Pdf the effects of decriminalization of drug use in portugal. This study is an empirical assessment of the impact of the drug decriminalization policy followed by portugal in july, 2001. Jun 19, 2015 it turns out one of the most common claims about portugal s widely acclaimed drug policy could be very misleading. In 2001, the portuguese set up a program that tackled their widespread drug problem in a way that has garnered both respect and controversy in the global war on drugs. Portugals drug policy exceed the existing scientific basis 2010. It also appears that a number of drugrelated problems have decreased.