4 ms·
Decriminalizing while not doing anything to discourage public use is probably the worst of both worlds. People look at Portugal like it was decriminalization al
by neither_color 4y ago
Decriminalizing while not doing anything to discourage public use is probably the worst of both worlds. People look at Portugal like it was decriminalization alone that solved everything, but it didn't. They actively dissuade use and refer caught users to treatment.
With the backing of psychologists and other health-care professionals, the law decriminalized the use and possession of up to 10 days' worth of narcotics or other drugs for individuals' own use. (Dealers still go to jail.) Instead of facing prison time and criminal records, users who are caught by police go before a local three-person commission for the dissuasion of drug addiction, a panel typically composed of a lawyer plus some combination of a physician, psychologist, social worker or other health-care professional with expertise in drug addiction.
The commission assesses whether the individual is addicted and suggests treatment as needed. Nonaddicted individuals may receive a warning or a fine. However, the commission can decide to suspend enforcement of these penalties for six months if the individual agrees to get help—an information session, motivational interview or brief intervention—targeted to his or her pattern of drug use. If that happens and the person doesn't appear before the commission again during the six-month period, the case is closed.
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2018/10/portugal-opioid https://www.apa.org/monitor/2018/10/portugal-opioid
- merrywhether 4y agoI think another obligation of a society that truly wants to tackle this is to help provide a life that is “better” than addiction, so to speak. Addictive drug use is frequently a symptom of a deeper root issue (long-term pain, physical abuse, homelessness, etc) and functions as a means of escape, so the solution is often much more holistic than just getting someone off drugs.
- hbn 4y agoThere should be programs introduced to educate the drug addicted and homeless that if they cut out the bad habit, pick themselves up by their bootstraps, and work 7 full-time jobs and/or win the lottery, they too can own a home in Vancouver one day.
- refurb 4y agoExactly. I had had a promising life until housing prices went up and then I ended up a drug addict out of despair of no possibility of owning a single family home in Vancouver.
- 29083011397778 4y ago> single family home > in Vancouver You gotta pick one though. There are actual, objective space constraints that mean not everyone can have a SFH in a city hemmed in by mountains, ocean, and an international border. You might have to settle for an apartment. That apartments are expensive and not as nice as they should be in ways they could be is another matter entirely, and one I will take your side on every day of the week! But limited supply of land leading to exhorbitant prices can't really be avoided.