Drug Law in Portugal: The Challenge of Solution to Drugs Problems

Abstract

Portugal has experienced the serious epidemic of drugs problem, the same as Thailand. In 2001, a nationwide law in Portugal took effect that decriminalized all drugs. However, drug possession for personal use and drug usage itself are still legally prohibited, but violations of those prohibitions are deemed to be exclusively administrative law and are removed from the criminal offense. The new law makes some policy makers feel that drugs problem in Portugal must be spread out. In contrast, many reports find that after enacting the law, the number of drug users decreased, including the number of drug overdose fatalities, new HIV, AIDS and Virus B cases dropped dramatically. Portugal drug law, therefore, should be an interesting lesson for Thailand.