Once hailed for decriminalizing drugs, Portugal is now having doubts…PORTO, Portugal — Addiction haunts the recesses of this ancient port city, as people with gaunt, clumsy hands lift crack pipes to lips, syringes to veins. Authorities are sealing off warren-like alleyways with iron bars and fencing in parks to halt the spread of encampments. A siege mentality is taking root in nearby enclaves of pricey condos and multimillion-euro homes…Portugal decriminalized all drug use, including marijuana, cocaine and heroin, in an experiment that inspired similar efforts elsewhere, but now police are blaming a spike in the number of people who use drugs for a rise in crime. In one neighborhood, state-issued paraphernalia — powder-blue syringe caps, packets of citric acid for diluting heroin — litters sidewalks outside an elementary school…But given existing laws, there’s only so much they can do. On a recent afternoon, an emaciated man in striped pants sleeping in front of a state-funded drug-use center awoke to a patrol of four officers. He sat up, then defiantly began assembling his crack pipe. Officers walked on, shaking their heads… (For more :https://web.archive.org/web/20230707185209/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/07/portugal-drugs-decriminalization-heroin-crack/)
Portugal's crack cocaine & heroin epidemic shows madness of SNP's decriminalisation call The mayor of Porto says people shooting up in the street has become 'normalised' while the police say their 'hands are tied' when it comes to tackling drug-fuelled crime. Portugal is considering turning its back on the failing policy. The nation became the first in the world to introduce decriminalisation in 2001 but now soaring rates of crack and heroin addiction and overdose deaths are forcing many to demand a rethink. (For more : https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/world-news/portugals-crack-cocaine-heroin-epidemic-30419939)
Also see