Question

a)What were the preconditions for Portugal becoming such a bad place for drug addictions in the 1980s?

b) What are the arguments for and against decriminalizing ALL drugs (as they did in Portugal)?

Answer 1

In the early 1980s, the most commonly used drugs in Portugal were hashish and

marijuana, but heroin had already appeared by the late 1970s. Heroin smuggled from Pakis-

tan and India through the former colony of Mozambique by Portuguese of Pakistani origin

was sold on Portuguese streets in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Then, when two large

gangs smuggling heroin through Mozambique were broken up, heroin started flowing from

the Netherlands. Because heroin smuggling in Portugal consisted of so many small groups

and individual smugglers, the authorities found it impossible to stop. Heroin use was also

changing at this time, as consumers started to smoke as well as inject the drug.

In the late 1980s, and especially in the early 1990s, drug consumption in Portugal

became a subject of social concern. Many people in Portuguese society concluded that the

country had a serious drug problem and high drug consumption. At the time, this conviction

was not based on any research on consumption, but simply general impressions and anec-

dotal evidence. A likely contributing factor to these impressions was that drug consumption

in some districts of Lisbon and other bigger cities had become more open and visible.

A EuroBarometer survey conducted in 1997 showed that the Portuguese perceived

drug-related issues as the country’s main social problem. Four years later in 2001,4

when the

new law decriminalizing drug possession and use was implemented, drugs occupied third

place on the list of issues that gave rise to social concern among the Portuguese.

2.Portugal’s decriminalization process is over a decade old, there are several long-term benefits that have been recognized, including the following:

The fear of the unknown—how culture would change if drugs were decriminalized and how our country would handle it—is a strong factor for those who are in favor of keeping drug used designated as a criminal offense. There are too many factors that could have ongoing negative effects within US culture to lend any excitement toward any potential positive changes.

Most Americans do not come face to face with drugs or with drug addicts until someone in their lives is affected. This lack of familiarity can lead to fear of the unknown. Those who consider substance abuse morally or spiritually objectionable often fear that decriminalization sends a confusing message of partial endorsement for such dangerous choices to young, impressionable people.

Substance abuse and addiction rates have been cut in half since decriminalization

Addiction treatment and rehabilitation is less expensive than incarceration

Individuals with substance abuse problems are much more likely to find recovery in rehab than in jail

People completing treatment can become productive members of society much more easily than convicted felons

Violence related to drug trafficking is greatly reduced

Courts are freed up for other important work

The rebellious, countercultural essence of drug use is changed when society sees it as a disease and not a crime.

Individuals with a biological predisposition toward addiction may be more likely to experiment with drugs if they do not fear legal prosecution.

The existing treatment resources are not nearly large enough to handle the influx of millions of new addicts from the legal system.

Decriminalization may lead to a push for legalization in some situations.

If decriminalization leads to an increased supply of drugs on the streets of the US, prices will fall and millions of new people may be tempted to experiment.