Wouldn’t this cause more people to use drugs?

Drug sales would still be illegal thus deterring people from obtaining the drugs.

What’s the point if sales are still illegal?

Removing the punishment for drug use encourages people to get help for drug addiction since they have nothing to fear if they were to get help.

What are the effects of drug decriminalization?

How has drug decriminalization affected Portugal?

In 2001, Portugal became the first country to decriminalize all drugs. No other countries yet have followed Portugal’s path.

Drug deaths

Drug related deaths have dropped significantly in Portugal since the decriminalization in 2001.

HIV and AIDS

HIV and AIDS diagnoses have decreased significantly from about 1000 cases of HIV and around 600 cases of AIDS down to about 50 cases of AIDS and HIV.

Drug related crime

Drug related crime rates also have dropped in Portugal from about 14,000 per year pre-decriminalization to below 6,000 per year post-decriminalization.

Why don’t more countries decriminalize drugs?

Countries like United States and the Netherlands are taking steps to decriminalize drugs. The United States for example is working on decriminalizing and legalizing marijuana. Only time will tell if more countries work torwards decriminalizing drugs.