Drug Decriminalization has Worked in Portugal

March 15, 2009 by mike.

Hat tip to the always solid Glenn Greenwald for bringing this story and report forward.

It’s time for the US and other countries to recognize that the criminalization of drugs is not the best path to dealing with drug abuse and addiction.

The Obama administration has nominated Gil Kerlikowske, former Seattle Police Chief to head the drug team. Gil is a very good choice. He is a pragmatist. We can hope that he will listen carefully and study the path that Portugal is following.

Mexico and the US need to develop a joint policy regarding drugs. The US drug criminalization policies have created a warlord/druglord environment in Mexico. We have two countries suffering from this stupid approach.

And yes, a joint policy has multiple meanings. All intended.

clipped from www.cato.org Drug Decriminalization in Portugal In 2001, Portugal began a remarkable policy experiment, decriminalizing all drugs, including cocaine and heroin. Some predicted disastrous results—that drug addiction rates would soar and the country would become a haven for “drug tourists.” Now that several years have passed, policy experts can study the results. In a new paper for the Cato Institute, attorney and author Glenn Greenwald closely examines the Portugal experiment and concludes that the doomsayers were wrong. There is now a widespread consensus in Portugal that decriminalization has been a success. The debate in Portugal has shifted rather dramatically to minor adjustments in the existing arrangement. There is no real debate about whether drugs should once again be criminalized. Join us for a discussion about Glenn Greenwald’s field research in Portugal and what lessons his findings may hold for drug policies in other countries.

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