Portugal's Mellow Approach to War on Drugs Shows Promise

In 2001, Portugal ended all criminal penalties drug possession for personal use. Time's Maia Szalavitz looks at the results.

She writes:

Compared to the European Union and the U.S., Portugal's drug use numbers are impressive. Following decriminalization, Portugal had the lowest rate of lifetime marijuana use in people over 15 in the E.U.: 10%. The most comparable figure in America is in people over 12: 39.8%. Proportionally, more Americans have used cocaine than Portuguese have used marijuana.

Portugal's plan works because money saved on enforcement was spent on treatment instead. People found guilty of possession go before a panel, not to be confused with a death panel, made up of a psychologist, a social worker and a legal adviser, who recommend an appropriate treatment, which is never jail or prison. Also, if the drug user doesn't want treatment, they are free to opt out with no penalty.