Portugal decriminalized all drugs in 2001; what can it teach Illinois?

Liberalized drug laws are on the rise, with Chicago decriminalizing marijuana possession, the Illinois House approving pot for medical use and two states legalizing the substance altogether. But those are baby steps compared with the drug policy adopted by Portugal.

In 2001, alarmed by a wave of heroin addiction, the small European nation decriminalized possession of all drugs, from pot to cocaine. Instead, it sends people caught with small amounts to "dissuasion commissions" that warn them about abuse, levy sanctions ranging from small fines to community service or, if needed, guide them into treatment paid for by the government.

Nuno Capaz, a sociologist who serves on one of the commissions in the capital, Lisbon, visited Roosevelt University on Wednesday to discuss his country's approach. In an interview with the Tribune, he stressed that drugs are not legal in Portugal someone walking down the street with a joint or Ecstasy will still run afoul of police but the offense is handled as a health issue, not a crime.

Q: Why did Portugal decide to take this step?

A: We came to the conclusion that the criminal system was not best suited to deal with this situation that incarcerating drug users was not the best option. The best option should be referring them to treatment.

.

Q: When police catch someone with a small amount of drugs, what happens?

A: When a person is caught on the street with any drug, it's still illegal. The substance is still taken from you. But instead of being referred to a court of law, you're referred to a dissuasion commission, which is the administrative authority empowered to apply sanctions.

.

Q: If a person wants to go to treatment, what happens?

See the article here:
Portugal decriminalized all drugs in 2001; what can it teach Illinois?