Results of Portugal’s Decriminalization Data Show Not Enough is being Done April 10, 2009
Posted by inrecovery in : Europe, Recovery, Recovery Centers, Substance Abuse , trackback
An article recently published in the journal, “Scientific America,” cited statistical information from the Cato Institute in Washington, D.C. that validated the success Portugal has had in lowering crime, and reducing HIV cases and drug addiction, since it decriminalized drugs in 2001. However, the data cannot conclude that the cause of such reductions where the direct result decriminalizing drugs.
In fact, some would argue that the decriminalization of drugs in Portugal created an environment where drug use was promoted because possession and use of hard drugs like heroin, cocaine, and marijuana were not illegal. Either way, the fact remains that Portugal found a drug policy that is effective and beneficial to society. It is no wonder that Portugal has done so, because the direct result of the decriminalization policy was progressive government action that funded and backed recovery programs fully.
Thus, it stands that the decriminalization of drugs is not required to create a national drug policy that is effective and beneficial to society, but rather, any country in the world could yield the same results as Portugal, if they were willing to spend the funds to implicate the same kind of proactive government policies that are committed to placing drug abusers into proper treatment centers.
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