In 2001, Portugal became the first country to decriminalize the possession and consumption of illicit substances. Instead of being arrested, people caught with a small amount of drugs receive a warning, a small fine or are asked to consult a doctor, lawyer and social worker. The Crescer Street Social Work Organization, which takes care of dependent people in precarious situations, has been in existence for twenty years. The creation of the non-profit organisation was part of a fundamental reorientation of drug policy in Portugal. At the heart of this legislation is a law that came into force in July 2001 that decriminalizes the possession of drugs in small quantities. A person can carry a maximum of ten daily doses of an illegal substance without fear of prosecution. Possession and use of drugs are therefore not legal, nor is trafficking, which is always punishable. I asked the local police, who in any case acted as if they were making a check, because they see this thing here and do not ban these shops on this street! It is important to know that Portugal legalized drugs years ago in order to control the abuse and dependence it causes. The death toll would have decreased accordingly.

At the same time, illegal sellers see their chance to sell something in their designated territories. Since all drugs were legalized in Portugal in 2001, the country has seen a drastic reduction in overdoses, HIV infections and drug-related crime. The overhaul of drug policy began with the debate over the legalization of cannabis. The question remains why the whole world does not follow Portugal`s example, writes the British daily The Guardian. The data say, among other things: The number of Portuguese adults who have already taken illegal drugs is increasing. The number of adolescents who have ever used illicit drugs is declining. The number of drug addicts in therapy has risen sharply. The number of drug users infected with HIV has fallen sharply.

But what do the numbers mean? What should they be compared to? There is not much data from the time before the attempt. In most European countries, the number of adults who have tried illicit drugs at some point in their lives is increasing. This view is currently unable to obtain a majority in Portugal. Despite the pioneering role in decriminalization and also with a left-wing majority in parliament, all previous attempts to at least legalize cannabis have failed. Much thought has been given to this, but there are still too few studies that prove that legalizing cannabis actually brings benefits, says Sofia Albuquerque, explaining the reluctance of the drug authority. PS politician Alexandre Quintanilha supports exactly the same thing, although twenty years ago he himself supported decriminalization, a measure whose impact was unclear. With his current state of knowledge, he would not agree to legalize cannabis, says the politician. However, he is not opposed to acquiring more knowledge on the subject. « If I were challenged to deal intensively with legalization in a panel of experts, I wouldn`t refuse, » says the former professor.

He believes that after twenty years, it is time to take further action. EXPERIENCE REPORT: Trapped in drug hell PINK STREET Lisbon – how I was forced undercover and why Portugal has already legalized coke. The travel time is up again and where the drug traps are in Lisbon and Porto, I found out. Although in Portugal, compared to other countries, few people took illegal drugs, the rate was low. But of those who took drugs, in particular, many belonged to the group of « problem users, » as it is called in the language of experts. Parliament is currently debating whether Portugal should fully legalise cannabis. The parties are still divided on this point. In the case of the reformed drug law, however, they all strike a positive balance. Contrary to what is sometimes wrongly assumed, drugs are still not legal in Portugal. This does not even apply to possession of small amounts.

However, possession of small amounts for personal consumption is no longer considered a criminal offence. This is a simple administrative offence, like illegal parking. Ten daily rations are considered limited consumption. The respective amount for this has been precisely determined in the law. Anyone who possesses up to 25 grams of marijuana, up to two grams of cocaine, up to one gram of heroin or crystal, up to ten tablets of LSD and ecstasy is not threatened with punishment. Anyone caught in possession of larger quantities is considered a dealer and will be punished accordingly under criminal law. The decline in drug-related deaths and HIV infections is particularly significant. That is why Portugal is presented as a positive example by those in favour of a liberal drug policy. If the police in Portugal catch someone with 25 grams of marijuana, they do not arrest the person for a crime, but send them to doctors and psychologists. « Humanist and pragmatic, » says João Goulão. They rely on decriminalization, not to be confused with legalization, which was also an idea, but they did not want to go that far. There was virtually no way to deal with it, and public education and prevention programmes were also lacking.

Soon, the problem was perceived as the main problem of society. Since virtually « every family had a member or friend with a substance abuse problem, » this was a central issue. That`s why there was quickly a broad positive sentiment for decriminalization, « which came from society, » says Goulão. Although total drug use in Europe was below average at that time, it was mainly hard drugs that were used in Portugal. In festivals, sports and leisure facilities and health centres, young people are specifically sensitized to the dangers of drug use. He rummages through his desk looking for the manuscript of the last lecture he gave in Paris, boasting to one figure: 100,000. The number of people severely dependent at the height of the epidemic, in the mid-nineties, nearly ten million inhabitants had Portugal at that time. The rate of people infected with HIV was much higher than in most other European countries. « People who take drugs are not criminals, but sick » « We must prevent people from buying drugs, from taking drugs, by any means, » said Manuel Pinto Coelho, 64, the last major opponent of Goulao`s attempt in Portugal. He wants his country to return to normal. To the harsh war on drugs, as it is being waged in large parts of the world.

For Andreia Alves, what we need today is a revision of the law and adapted offers accordingly, such as drug consumption rooms, where addicts can consume under supervision and in safe conditions. It was only after the so-called Carnation Revolution that a wave of new influences swept the country. Drugs have become a notable problem. In Portugal, for example, few people have taken drugs compared to other European countries. But many of them used hard drugs. The number of HIV-positive drug users has also increased significantly. From the point of view of Crescer employees, who – if desired – also accompany their clients to appointments with commissions, there is still room for improvement in drug policy. Although the law is already twenty years old, much has not yet changed. « Addiction is still a stigma, » says Solange Ascensão, as the Crescer van leaves the Lumiar neighborhood and heads south. Shortly after 4 p.m., Carlos Morgado steers the car onto Avenida de Ceuta, a six-lane main road not far from the former Casal Ventoso drug transshipment point.

Here are several drug retreats – mainly under the piers of bridges or in the bushes. What else I observed in November 2021, which shocked me about the approach and brutality that is still common today, you can read here in my experience report: Street workers always frequent the same places on their Monday through Friday afternoon visits and usually meet familiar faces. They not only gain insight into the reality of consumers` lives, but also how the police treat their customers. « I guess four out of five police officers don`t even know about decriminalization, » says Morgado. He and his colleagues regularly observe how police officers not only seize small amounts of drugs, which promotes supply crime, but also trample on glass pipes, leading users to share pipes and increasing the risk of contracting communicable diseases. Crescer advocates the legalization of all drugs. Instead of investing in and combating drug trafficking, funds could be invested in preventing and improving harm reduction and control, depending on the organization`s position. The Lisbon Commission, for example, is housed on the first floor of an open building. No one should want to be seen here. In one room, a 19-year-old man dressed in a white polo shirt waits, where police found just under a gram of hashish over the weekend. A social worker interrogated him for half an hour, he was in agricultural school, lives with his parents, smokes marijuana from time to time, he told her.