In 2001, Portugal became the first country to decriminalize the possession and consumption of all illicit substances. Rather than being arrested, those caught with a personal supply might be given a warning, a small fine, or be appointed a doctor or social worker to help them with harm reduction. Soon after, the country’s opioid crisis stabilized, problematic drug use declined, and HIV infections plummeted to an all time low. If Portugal’s radical drugs policy is working, why hasn’t the rest of the world copied it?
The case of Portugal: Why decriminalizing all drugs reduces addiction
More of Today's Solutions
White-tailed eagles return to southern England after 240-year hiatus
For centuries, there's been an eagle-shaped hole in the skies over England where the majestic white-tailed eagle once soared. The enormous raptor — its ...
Read MoreStudy: Drinking the right amount of caffeine may lower diabetes risks
While too much caffeine from coffee may cause unpleasant side effects such as anxiety or insomnia, that doesn’t mean you should cut your caffeine ...
Read MoreTransforming migrant rhetoric is key in preventing genocides
The recent outbreak of war in Ukraine has forced many refugees to seek safety in countries throughout Europe. They are one part of a ...
Read MoreThese microbes could help honey bees thrive
As we like to remind our readers a lot at The Optimist Daily, honeybees are essential for our planet's ecosystem. Humans rely on these ...
Read More
