While drugs have brought countless individuals eye-opening experiences that have left a positive impact, there are many issues revolving around drugs and, more specifically, drug laws. Unfortunately, many laws prohibiting street drugs only amplify the problem. Simply making drugs illegal does not stop individuals from using substances. On the contrary, creating a taboo around drugs and running ‘‘Say no to drugs!’’ campaigns can actually inflate an already occurring issue. This fact of this reality is beautifully displayed by the reaction to a drug epidemic that took place in a country called Portugal.
We will go into the depths of exactly why Portugal decided to decriminalize all drugs and how it decreased addiction, which many Portuguese citizens sadly found themselves in… but first, let’s go over a key bit of information; the difference between decriminalization and legalization.
What is the difference between decriminalization and legalization?
There are many misconceptions about decriminalization and legalization and the key differences between the two concepts. While the prefix ‘de’ would suggest that said act is no longer illegal, this is not the case.
The law is very specific and confusing to the average Joe (its me-I’m Joe). Surprising to most, ‘illegal’ and ‘criminal’ are two completely different things. To make this more simple, I am going to use prostitution as an example.
In the Netherlands, prostitution is legal. This means that patrons no longer need to hide the fact that they are seeking out prostitution serves as there are no consequences or punishment for the patron or the prositute. Because it is legal, it is treated the same as any other legal transaction.
Moving onto what decriminalization is, let’s use the Netherlands again for our example. In this country, Cannabis is decriminalized. This essentially means that there is regulation on cannabis but you are not deemed a criminal if you use, sell or possess Cannabis. You can safely channel your inner stoner in the Netherlands as long as you are within the terms of its decriminalization status.
For example, you can only buy 5 grams of cannabis at a time from their dispensaries, AKA ‘coffee shops’. A facility can dispense Cannabis and pay taxes on their sales but they have a certain amount of Cannabis that they can legally sell each day and hold in their dispensary at one time. They only allow x amount of dispensaries to operate in the country as well to keep a cap on it.
Additionally, you can legally grow a few plants at your house! However, if they are too smelly and your neighbours complain, the police may turn up and have the authority to cut them down… RIP to all the innocent Cannabis plants that police have cut down in the Netherlands! If a dispensary is caught breaking these terms, they will simply be fined but never given criminal penalties, such as jail time. The same goes for Cannabis users. You can be fined if you are caught selling Cannabis on the street, but nothing more than that.
Essentially, legal means 100% tolerated while decriminalised means are tolerated with terms and conditions. Capiche?
While I may have confused you a bit with my spiel about the Netherlands, this article isn’t about that country. As stated above, we are focusing on Portugal, why they took this route and how it affected the country as a whole.
Why did Portugal decriminalize all drugs?
In the year of 2001, Portugal decriminalized all drugs. Prior to said decriminalization, Portugal was facing a horrendous opium epidemic as well as high abuse of other street drugs with drug deaths on the rise every year. As a response to these issues that were affecting countless individuals across the country, they decided that legalization was not the answer and took the route of decriminalization… F*ck yeah, Portugal!
When we legalize a substance, it can turn on those who use it as it then falls into the hands of the government… Looking at Canada, a country that legalized Cannabis in 2018, we can see that perhaps decriminalization would have been a better way to go about it… Of course, this is a huge step forward nonetheless, but that is a conversation for another day!
This may be controversial, but I truly believe regulations have their time and place. I am definitely ‘against the grain’, however, having absolutely no order does result in chaos. If that’s your thing, then I respect it but I do believe at this point in the ‘war on drugs’ decriminalization may be onto something and could be our best option at this time. Portugal decriminalizing all drugs displays the power of decriminalization.
What happened since Portugal decriminalized all drugs?
So, what has this shift actually done for the country and the people in it? It is important to know that this decriminalization did not simply fix all of their issues. The country had to implement many programs alongside the law change to get to the results they were searching for which was ultimately harm reduction and effective rehabilitation.
For example, in Lisbon, they opened a handful of centers for drug addicts to re-learn basic skills and ultimately recover from addiction. Statistically, these centers have the #1 highest recovery rate in the world and the lowest relapse numbers! With their new approach to drugs and the usage of drugs, they have some of the lowest overdose statistics as well. In these centers, they focus on teaching recovering addicts how to regain respect for their bodies/minds, manage their emotions/emotional response and find purpose in life. They also provide free courses that help recovering addicts to re-merge with society, learning how to navigate a ‘normal’ life outside of active addiction.
Putting systems in place for those who suffer from addiction and dissolving the taboo around street drugs has resulted in less than 30 drug-related death each year across the entire country! Yes, you read that correctly. Less than 30 people die from drugs each year in Portugal! Let that sink in. It is almost unbelievable, isn’t it?
It is safe to say that no other place in the world has handled both addiction and over-doses like this place. This system emphasized true and lasting harm reduction and long-term rehabilitation. Essentially, Portugal looks at drug abuse as a mental health issue and not a drug issue. F*ck yeah, Portugal! Oops, did I already say that?
What are the terms around Portugal’s drug decriminalization?
So, can I travel to Portugal and dive head-first into a mountain of Cocaine while blasting AC/DC? No, (sadly) this is not the case. As stated above, decriminalization does come with terms and conditions. Here are a few terms that the Portuguese lobbyists have formulated with the motive of harm reduction and drug-related crime.
-You can possess a recreational amount of drugs and even carry them around with you on a night out. The regulation around this is loose and states that a single individual cannot possess more than ‘10 days worth’ of a drugs at one time.
-Selling drugs on the other hand is illegal. Funny enough, you can possess these substances and consume them but you cannot be found selling them. There is no legal action taken against the individual purchasing the drug.
-Importing and exporting drugs in/out of Portugal is prohibited by law.
-Producing the drugs is also illegal. So if you are found making the drugs, you are breaking the law but if you are caught using the drugs you are fine! Good ol’ lawful grey areas.
-If you are caught possessing x amount of drugs that have the potential for drug abuse, your drugs are confiscated and you are urgently encouraged to enter one of their rehabilitation centers. Additionally, if you end up needing medical attention due to drug abuse, you are sent to one of their rehabilitation centers after you are out of medical care. Makes sense, doesn’t it?
Essentially, don’t take the piss and make sure you aren’t abusing any drugs and you’ll be fine! If you are abusing them or are suffering from addiction, you are provided with help instead of incrimination.
Final thoughts
Instead of sending people to jail, why not send them to a place of safety where they are given the help they clearly need? At the end of the day, many of us can agree that the true issues with addition, drug crimes and overdoses is not about the drugs themselves… It’s about trauma and the danger that drug laws have created for those seeking relief and turn to addiction. The real cause of these major issues is mental pain and suffering. Those who have found themselves in the depths of addiction don’t need jail, they need help!
An individual who overdoses on the sidewalk is a cry for help. This isn’t about someone being a criminal, this is about someone being a human, which isn’t always easy. It is time that we treat these individuals like people and not statistics.
Unfortunately, other governments prioritize money over life. They profit off of unhealthy citizens and drug crimes while relying on the suffering of their people.
Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel? For me, Portugal has given me a glimmer of hope for those who suffer from addiction and hopes for a future of fewer drug-users behind bars.
Show compassion, look at the bigger picture and have some empathy. Oh, one last thing… F*ck yeah, Portugal!
