Jun 2, 2016 4 min read

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Here in America, the war on drugs has been raging for several decades. In fact, it was President Richard Nixon who declared that war in 1971. By any conventional definition of the word “war,” this would be the longest conflict in modern history.

Since 1971, there have been great strides made when it comes to addressing the treatment of substance abuse. However, as far as turning back the constant flow of illegal drugs and ensuring addicts get the help they need, this so-called “war” has been an abject failure — especially from the government’s perspective.

It’s time to reevaluate the approach we take towards substance abuse and its inherent criminalization. It might help to look to other countries that have taken the scourge of drug addiction head-on and developed proactive policies that actually yield results. One of the best examples can be found in Portugal. They decriminalized drugs close to fifteen years ago, and by all accounts, that action has yielded remarkable results.

The Start of the Turnaround

Back when Nixon was declaring America’s war on drugs, Portugal was experiencing its own surge in drug use among the population. For a twenty-five-year period starting in the mid ’70s, this tiny European nation was overrun with drug abuse, overdoses and the spread of HIV/AIDS. They simply couldn’t keep up with the crippling impact this widespread drug use had on its society.

Then, in early 2000, Dr. Joao Goulao, Portugal’s long-serving drug czar, formed an anti-drug commission that “put everything on the table.” The result was a new law that went into effect on July 1, 2001.

Under the new law, anyone found in possession of less than a 10-day supply of narcotics is sent to a Commission for the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction. That person could be using anything from pot and heroin to methamphetamines. They’d then meet with a three-person panel consisting of a lawyer, a doctor and social worker. After interviewing the user, the commission will recommend treatment, or perhaps a fine.

Beyond that, no other action is taken.

This put being caught with drugs on par with getting a parking ticket. The major difference is you’re not offered treatment with a parking ticket!

Shifting the Paradigm

Keep in mind that decriminalization and legalization are two different things. Portugal has decriminalized drug use and possession, but it’s still illegal to sell and traffic drugs. This shifts the “target” of the illegal trade–namely, to the end user. By providing immediate and accessible forms of treatment, a user will often find a way to kick a habit. Portugal’s approach also means pouring more resources into education and specifically approaching teenagers. The hope is to stop them from using drugs before they start.

This approach totally changes the environment that drug users live in. Researcher Johnann Hari has been studying global drug use and policies around the world, and has found that substance abuse has more to do with environment, as opposed to “chemical hooks.” In a recent TED Talk, Hari cites research that found 20% of troops serving in Vietnam used heroin, but when they returned, up to 95% of them stopped using. Hari thinks Portugal’s approach is the way to go.

“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety,” says Hari. “The opposite of addiction is connection.”

The Results Are In

As for the results, Portugal is proud to post some of the lowest levels of drug consumption across Europe. The instances of HIV infections among drug users has dropped by nearly 30%. Naturally, there are also fewer drug arrests. That, in turn, frees up resources throughout the country’s criminal justice system.

Could the U.S. adopt this same approach? To pull that off would require bold leadership and the dismantling of the “prison for profit” system that pervades the nation. One thing is for sure: The current U.S. government policies simply aren’t working. It’s the perfect issue for the next administration to tackle.