Treating, not punishing

The number of addicts registered in drug-substitution programmes has risen from 6,000 in 1999 to over 24,000 in 2008, reflecting a big rise in treatment (but not in drug use). Between 2001 and 2007 the number of Portuguese who say they have taken heroin at least once in their lives increased from just 1% to 1.1%. For most other drugs, the figures have fallen: Portugal has one of Europe's lowest lifetime usage rates for cannabis. And most notably, heroin and other drug abuse has decreased among vulnerable younger age-groups [...]. "The apocalypse hasn't happened."

Vai na mesma linha daquele artigo anterior da Time Magazine, também com posição bastante favorável aos resultados da experiência lusitana com a descriminalização das drogas.

Portugal's drug policy
Treating, not punishing
The evidence from Portugal since 2001 is that decriminalisation of drug use and possession has benefits and no harmful side-effects
Aug 27th 2009  |  LISBON  |  From The Economist print edition
http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14309861