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Referencing Portugal feels weird. Most reports I see are still very favorable to the outcomes they are seeing, is that changing? Decriminalizing doesn't chang
by taeric 3y ago
Referencing Portugal feels weird. Most reports I see are still very favorable to the outcomes they are seeing, is that changing?
Decriminalizing doesn't change people with a drug problem into not having a drug problem, true. It does, at least, free them from also having a legal problem. Idea being that they can seek and get treatment for their drug problem, now. Something they can't do when it is criminal. (Indeed, reading the Wikipedia page for Portugal shows increased treatments as their first bullet in favor.)
I'd also guess that it makes it easier for treatments to be offered. As, right now, offering help there is basically aiding illegal activity.
- fragmede 3y agoOnce hailed for decriminalizing drugs, Portugal is now having doubts https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/07/portugal-drugs-decriminalization-heroin-crack/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/07/portugal-dru... discussed at https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36638752 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=36638752
- taeric 3y agoThanks for the link, I'll try and take a deeper dive later. Cursory read is not favorable to the article, though. Problems include, * Having to concede that Portugal is still doing better than most of Europe. * Leaning on pandemic years for a lot of the excess growth. * A passing discussion of funding and other costs. I see most of this was covered in the discussion here. Will see what else is mentioned.