Debate: Drug Legalization in Portugal and Vancouver Community

This report delves into the debate surrounding drug legalization, focusing on the experiences of Portugal and the potential implications for Vancouver. It addresses the hesitancy towards legalization, often rooted in fears about increased drug use and social consequences. The report highlights Portugal's decriminalization efforts, noting that while not a perfect solution, it has led to decreased deaths and infection rates related to drug use. The arguments for and against legalization are explored, including the perspective that addiction is a mental health disorder rather than a personal choice. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of education and awareness campaigns to promote responsible drug use and optimize the benefits of decriminalization, drawing lessons from Portugal's approach. Desklib provides access to this report and many other study resources for students.

Running head: DEBATE ON DRUG LEGALIZATION IN PORTUGAL
Debate on drug legalization In Portugal
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

1
DEBATE ON DRUG LEGALIZATION IN PORTUGAL
Understanding the Hesitancy to legalizing drugs:
Legalization of drug is intricately associated with a variety of fears and inhibitions.
This is the main contributing factor behind the lack of inclination among the different nations
legalizing the drugs. It has to be mentioned that decriminalization is not equivalent to
legalization of the drugs by any means. The purpose behind the step of decriminalizing the
drug possession in Portugal had attempted to address two very different aspects, ensuring
people possessed lesser amount of drugs and ensuring that the addicted individuals could
avail treatment for the psychological problem of addiction (Waters, 2016). Along with that,
the legalization of drug will also be a direct impact at the culture of Vancouver and the
lifestyle that the people are accustomed to. I would like to mention in this context that
decriminalization of the drugs had been a desperate attempt of the government in Portugal to
improve the addiction situation, however decriminalization cannot be the answer to any
challenge. There is considerable risk of people more and more inclined towards
experimenting with drug abuse if the fear of criminal offence is eliminated (Nytimes.com,
2018). Hence, there is need for better intervention approaches, possibly involving awareness
and campaigns to combat the drug issue instead of decriminalizing it.
Elaborating on the series of events associated with the change in the drug policies
within Portugal, the year of 1999 witnessed the government of Portugal approving the
national strategy for the fight against drugs in an attempt to cope with the runaway addiction
problems (Hughes & Stevens, 2015). Although decriminalization or legalization of drugs like
marijuana represents a revolutionary change in the law and order framework of the nation and
undoubtedly a magnanimous change like this will come with a significant hesitancy from all
the possible stakeholders associated with this scenario. Not only from the local citizens and

2
DEBATE ON DRUG LEGALIZATION IN PORTUGAL
society, the hesitancy will be deep rooted in the government authorities as well with respect
to the possible positive and negative outcomes that this revolutionary step can lead to.
Although it has to be mentioned that legalization of drug possession can lead to
positive outcomes for the culture of Vancouver as well. Legalization or decriminalization will
positively lead to less violence, aggression, and more harmony in the youth of the society
over drug possession and illegal drug dealing (Vancouversun.com, 2018). For instance,
taking the data from the after effect of drug decriminalization in Portugal, the usage rate had
not skyrocketed after the decriminalization took place (Hughes & Stevens, 2015). Reports
also suggest that post decriminalization in Portugal, the deaths and infection rates due to
unsafe substance usage had also decreased to a considerable extent which is a very important
positive take to the decriminalization of drug possession in Vancouver.
Conclusion:
On a concluding note, even though the concept of decriminalization of drugs is sought
with hesitancy and uncertainty, proper education and awareness campaigning can implement
many positive changes in the substance abuse scenario in the city and can implement many
positive changes in the current status of youth in the society as well. Hence, there should be
enhanced efforts to educate and aware the society, especially the youth on addiction, drug
dependency and limited usage of recreational drugs to optimize the decriminalization like
Portugal.

3
DEBATE ON DRUG LEGALIZATION IN PORTUGAL
References:
Hughes, C. E., & Stevens, A. (2015). A resounding success or a disastrous failure: re-
examining the interpretation of evidence on the Portuguese decriminalization of illicit
drugs. In New Approaches to Drug Policies (pp. 137-162). Palgrave Macmillan,
London.
Nytimes.com(2018). Opinion | How to Win a War on Drugs. [Online] Retrieved from
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/22/opinion/sunday/portugal-drug-
decriminalization.html [Accessed on 18th Nov]
Vancouversun.com (2018). Daphne Bramham: Decriminalization is no silver bullet, says
Portugal's drug czar. [Online]. Retrieved from
https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/daphne-bramham-decriminalization-is-
no-silver-bullet-says-portugals-drug-czar [accessed on 21st Nov]
Waters, L. (2016). Portuguese Experiment with Drug Decriminalization: Lessons on How to
Win the War on Drugs.