Drugs in Portugal: Did Decriminalization Work?

#1

Post by akshaym » Mon, Apr 26, 2010, 3:58 PM UTC

Drugs in Portugal: Did Decriminalization Work?
time.com

Re: Drugs in Portugal: Did Decriminalization Work?

#2

Post by anigbrowl » Mon, Apr 26, 2010, 4:23 PM UTC

2009 - old story is old. Flagged.

Edit: it's not that I don't like the story, which I do. It's that we already discussed it here when it came out in 2009.

Re: Drugs in Portugal: Did Decriminalization Work?

#3

Post by jamesbressi » Mon, Apr 26, 2010, 4:41 PM UTC

anigbrowl wrote: post #2

2009 - old story is old. Flagged. Edit: it's not that I don't like the story, which I do. It's that we already discussed it here when it came out in 2009.

Old, but more relevant than your comment. This was not deserving of a down-vote and in fact, I'm glad someone posted this old article, because I have been bookmarking studies and observations on this topic lately for research I am doing.

EDIT: Sorry, that first line was an unnecessary jab. Based on your Karma and interaction, you add a lot of value to the community, so please continue to support that value, not filter it.

Re: Drugs in Portugal: Did Decriminalization Work?

#4

Post by philk » Mon, Apr 26, 2010, 4:43 PM UTC

anigbrowl wrote: post #2

2009 - old story is old. Flagged. Edit: it's not that I don't like the story, which I do. It's that we already discussed it here when it came out in 2009.

I actually found it pretty interesting.

Re: Drugs in Portugal: Did Decriminalization Work?

#5

Post by jamesbressi » Mon, Apr 26, 2010, 4:44 PM UTC

Does the findings in this article surprise anyone? No? Good. I'm not a hippy, but let's get over this b.s. "War on Drugs" and begin to use our common sense when dealing with social issues and impeding on natural rights.

Re: Drugs in Portugal: Did Decriminalization Work?

#6

Post by philk » Mon, Apr 26, 2010, 4:45 PM UTC

jamesbressi wrote: post #5

Does the findings in this article surprise anyone? No? Good. I'm not a hippy, but let's get over this b.s. "War on Drugs" and begin to use our common sense when dealing with social issues and impeding on natural rights.

Unfortunately common sense is often electoral suicide.

Re: Drugs in Portugal: Did Decriminalization Work?

#7

Post by GiraffeNecktie » Mon, Apr 26, 2010, 4:56 PM UTC

anigbrowl wrote: post #2

2009 - old story is old. Flagged. Edit: it's not that I don't like the story, which I do. It's that we already discussed it here when it came out in 2009.

I upvoted the comment. This is a "news" site, not a "recycled story" site. There's enough new stuff coming through the firehose that we don't need to start reposting the Internet from a year ago.

Re: Drugs in Portugal: Did Decriminalization Work?

#8

Post by Anon84 » Mon, Apr 26, 2010, 5:02 PM UTC

I'm portuguese (lived there until I left for my PhD a few years ago) and I've always found this system a bit odd. You can own it and use it, but you can't produce it, sell it or distribute it.

Maybe the government believes in the spontaneous generation of drugs?

A couple of quick points, though:

     rates of new HIV infections caused by sharing of dirty 
     needles dropped

This isn't directly connected with the decriminalization. There is a program that allows anyone to switch a used needle by a new one (plus a condom, a bottle cap and instructions) for free in any pharmacy/drug store. This program started years before the decriminalization and had a reduction of HIV infections as a goal (hence the condom and the instructions)

One of the main advantages of decriminalization was that is open the doors for a lot more treatments. Before, you had to admit to have committed a crime (with legal consequences) before you could be treated. The decriminalization eliminated these consequences and helped people find the help they needed

Re: Drugs in Portugal: Did Decriminalization Work?

#9

Post by bOR_ » Mon, Apr 26, 2010, 5:05 PM UTC

philk wrote: post #6

jamesbressi wrote: post #5

Does the findings in this article surprise anyone? No? Good. I'm not a hippy, but let's get over this b.s. "War on Drugs" and begin to use our common sense when dealing with social issues and impeding on natural rights.

Unfortunately common sense is often electoral suicide.

Start educating your social circle then, they are part of the electorate. At least, that is my view. I don't like things being unmovable :).

Re: Drugs in Portugal: Did Decriminalization Work?

#10

Post by param » Mon, Apr 26, 2010, 5:05 PM UTC

Anon84 wrote: post #8

I'm portuguese (lived there until I left for my PhD a few years ago) and I've always found this system a bit odd. You can own it and use it, but you can't produce it, sell it or distribute it. Maybe the government believes in the spontaneous generation of drugs? A couple of quick points, though: rates of new HIV infections caused by sharing of dirty needles dropped This isn't directly connected with the decriminaliza…

>> You can own it and use it, but you can't produce it, sell it or distribute it. Maybe the government believes in the spontaneous generation of drugs?

I am sure the point is for the Govt. to prosecute the producer, not the consumer. This is similar to some countries outlawing 'consumption' of prostitution services, but not offering of such services.