this post was submitted on 24 Feb 2024
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Ok so first, my biases. I'm going to write my best guess and then I'll read the article. So.. is it that Portugal helped people instead of simply trying to arrest them or put up anti-homeless architecture so that those better off wouldn't have to see addicts in the streets? Let's go and read now...
WELL. I'm shocked!
"Portugal's leaders responded by pivoting away from the U.S. drug war model, which prioritized narcotics seizures, arrests and lengthy prison sentences for drug offenders.
Instead, Portugal focused scarce public dollars on health care, drug treatment, job training and housing. The system, integrated into the country's taxpayer-funded national health care system, is free and relatively easy to navigate. "
Ok, I'm not that shocked.
As a Portuguese who was alive (albeit a kid) in the 90s, I can summarize this as we didn't have enough resources (both human and monetary) to keep enforcing the U.S. drug war model. Since it wasn't working and we were reaching a critical situation (like half of Lisbon in particular was filled with drug addicts shooting heroin up their veins), we turned to the experts.
The article implies this was a decision made from the beginning of this epidemic, but it was pretty much a last resort because the other model was unsustainable for the government. Not sure if we would've adopted it if we had US' resources.
Also, just giving context here, not trying to diminish this accomplishment.
I love this kind of stuff. "We've been doing what one of the most powerful and wealthy countries has been trying to do for decades without success, and we just can't afford it any more. Alright, let's dust off that report from the experts we received when this all started and see if that can help..."
As far as I remember, yeah, that's essentially what happened. At first, the government and the police saw drug addicts as criminals in the eyes of the law, and tried to go after them, which is, as far as I know, what the US and a lot of other countries do.