Portuguese drug decriminalization

An in depth study has just been released on the effects of drug decriminalization in Portugal.  

The issue of decriminalizing illicit drugs is hotly debated, but is rarely subject to evidence-based analysis. This paper examines the case of Portugal, a nation that decriminalized the use and possession of all illicit drugs on 1 July 2001. Drawing upon independent evaluations and interviews conducted with 13 key stakeholders in 2007 and 2009, it critically analyses the criminal justice and health impacts against trends from neighbouring Spain and Italy. It concludes that contrary to predictions, the Portuguese decriminalization did not lead to major increases in drug use. Indeed, evidence indicates reductions in problematic use, drug-related harms and criminal justice overcrowding. The article discusses these developments in the context of drug law debates and criminological discussions on late modern governance.

h/t Marginal Revolution 

(Posted by TVA)

Comments

[daddy dave]

1.

Conservatives of forty years ago were pretty much united against legalising pot, as pot was associated with the 60's and hippies and so on. But that's yesterday's battle.
Opinion has shifted since then.
Seems like the chance to beat up on 60's hippies isn't worth compromising on values like freedom and giving people personal choice (including the choice to make bad choices, like messing with their health). If they don't want to grow up, then we can't make them. Better to let them make their choices and pour scorn on them afterwards.

[Ben]

2.

LOL: Pointing to little Portugal, as the new center of liberty is beyond parody. The country is an economic basket case with countless welfare-dependent druggies. (Stalin would be pleased!)

And no disrespect Daddy Dave, but someone sent a link to Brother Benny: Wall Street Journal: “California Voters Reject Bid to Legalize Marijuana” (November 3, 2010)!

So-called medical marijuana efforts also failed in liberal Oregon and South Dakota. Like it or note, many conservatives are not buying the pro-pothead case.

[Troy]

3.

Way to avoid the argument, Ben. Yes, Portugal is an economic basket case, but that has nothing to do with this study, which shows that since decriminalisation there has been no considerable increase in drug use.

I find it incredibly frustrating that your naivety and ignorance on these issues end up tarnishing the 'conservative' brand with which I identify. I bet you didn't even read the full journal article.

I would also suggest that a reason that Prop 19 failed was because the campaign is too young (as in, not been around for very long as an active campaign) and the fact that Prop 19 is too broad in its objectives.

I base my opinions on the evidence available to me. The evidence says that, at least with respect to marijuana, that decriminalisation is an effective way to disrupt the capital available to organised crime and allow a redistribution of police resources while simultaneously saving/creating government money.

[Davidmrussell]

4.

They'd better hurry up or we old conservative illegitimates will be all dead before reform shines through. Guess that could save the forces of repression the time and trouble of incarcerating us for being such dreadful threats to an otherwise stable society!

[Brett]

5.

um ben i think you mean the pro-FREEDOM case

you authoritarian scum

[Ben]

6.

Brett calling people “scum” is not an argument. It is kind of sad actually. Is that the best you can do? I honestly feel sorry for you now.

[Ben]

7.

Troy: So there is no relationship between pot and the welfare state? Indeed, when the state forces taxpayers to pay fund their alternative lifestyles that is a crime (especially when your nation is a basket case).

But you’re for more taxes, so fair enough.

In any case, I noticed that because the Dutch experiment failed, people are hoping that we’ll buy this new propaganda. Nice try. It appears that your libertarian friends are “forgetting” to tell you about some crime waves in this place called Portugal.

Hope you can read Portuguese:

http://www.cmjornal.xl.pt/noticia.aspx?contentid=166BEE71-5B96-4FFC-B1D2-75095D4CBE4D&channelid=17EC9968-2B60-40BA-A8C4-17B4457AE64B

[Brett]

8.

you think people should be thrown in jail for possessing the "wrong" kind of vegetation

I know of no other fitting term.

[Cameron]

9.

the Dutch experiment failed

Which one?

This dutch experiment is increasingly popular in a number of countries:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroin-assisted_treatment

[.]

10.

Hey arsehole, you called me a Nazi when I said euthenasia should be only up to the patient and legislation would need to be drafted clearly to avoid a misuse of powers of attorney. You said you wouldn't want me around sick people when I tried to clarify my position, which except to you moron, was fucking obvious.

You really are a mental midget. You deserve every bit of shit you cop.

[Vikas Nayak]

11.

well, it wont nessesarily have "no effect" in Australia (otherwise what would be the point of changing), but i reckon we allow the wide spread consumption of alcohol (which is listed as one of the most dangerous drugs on the planet), so why not the other drugs?

Let people come to their own conclusions about medication.

[daddy dave]

12.

"So there is no relationship between pot and the welfare state? "

no.
In fact, with due respect that's a really odd question. I guess youre mental image is of lots of dole bludgers sitting around smoking dope all day?

"Indeed, when the state forces taxpayers to pay fund their alternative lifestyles that is a crime (especially when your nation is a basket case)."

if pot is decriminalised, you don't have to pay. If it is criminalised, you pay.
See, you pay for all crimes on the books because they have to be enforced by the state. That's a price we're willing to pay in most cases, but when there are crimes that maybe shouldn't be on the books (pot), AND not only that, they're costing a motza, then we're entitled to ask whether our tax dollars are being well spent.
I'm not happy about thousands of my tax dollars going to cops who get to chase pot smokers around all day.

I don't smoke pot myself. However I don't feel the urge to have people locked up who do.

[liberal elitist]

13.

Does anybody actually take this Ben-Peter cunt seriously? I mean, he describes himself as a 'satirist' on his blog; maybe he's just trolling us all? What kind of name is Ben-Peter anyway?