Does Decriminalization of Drugs Work?

Does Decriminalization of Drugs Work? Well according to a new paper published in April by the Cato Institute, the answer is yes, decriminalization does work. In Portugal, where the study was conducted over a five year period, the rates of decline among drug use are impressive. In fact, Five years after personal possession was decriminalized, illegal drug use among teens has declined, and those who might of hid underground to curb their addition are now seeking treatment for drug addiction, which has more than doubled since it was decriminalized.

The Cato paper reports that drug use among all users is now among the lowest in the EU, in people over age 15. Further, drug use when compared proportionally to Portuguese, have a lower drug use than Americans. Not only has decriminalization lowered drug use, but it has also lowered the new transmission of HIV drug users, which fell 17% since the law took effect.

Prior to the change in law, critics argued that Portugal would become a haven for tourist looking to do drugs, but the reality was quite the opposite. Not only had rates of drug use declined, but Portugal saved a lot of money by offering health services vs the more expensive option of incarceration. This has also freed up law enforcement to go after those who deal drugs in large quantities.

In the U.S. the drug policy debate revolves around "speculation and fear mongering," rather than empirical evidence on the effects of more lenient drug policies. While complete decriminalization is unlikely within the States, many States have not reconsidering their overly punitive drug laws. Recently, Senators Jim Webb and Arlen Specter proposed that Congress create a national commission, not unlike Portugal's, to deal with prison reform and overhaul drug-sentencing policy. Though some argue that Portugal is not a good model for the U.S., due to our size and culture, the reality is that the data shows that decriminalization does not result in increased drug use. Since that is what concerns the public and policymakers most, that point will be at the heart of the coming debate.

Photo Courtesy of Time Inc. (Romano Cagnoni / Getty)