how decriminalization of all drugs saved lives
In November 2001 something extraordinary happened in Portugal, faced with a rising in deaths by overdoses of drugs such as heroin the country was in deep trouble and unless something was done the problem would only get worse.
Unlike what most expected (more criminalization and heavier fines) a new legislation came in that became a truly game changer: the decriminalization of ALL drugs.
As a consequence new rules were put in place and the legislation defined a difference between consumer and trafficker in the amount that the police would find in an individual, if you are caught with more than 7 grams of weed then you will face charges and go to court, if it's less than the consumer will have to go to a commission for the dissuasion of toxicdependeci and be treated as a potential addict!
These commissions have the main role of assessing one's problems with drugs and give him help in getting clean if necessary, helping those in need and changing the paradigm of a drug consumption from a criminal felony to a public health problem.
What were the results?
The results could not have been more positives, there was a huge decrease of fatal overdoses in the country and today Portugal has one of the lowest drug related deaths in the world!
These political model does not fight the consumers (it helps them!) and allows the police to focus on catching the sellers and producers, also reducing the number of processes in tribunals related to drugs.
From what I read a lot of countries are facing problems with drugs, do you think this kind of legislation would help in your country? comment bellow!
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Peace ;)