
Maduro in Court: Does Drug Criminalization Really Work?
Nicolás Maduro is in court again today for a hearing on drug trafficking charges. No doubt the man and his country made billions in the cocaine trade, but the question remains: Does drug criminalization — and the drug war that goes with it — really work? One country — Portugal — decided 25 years ago to try a different approach to illegal drug use. It took away criminal penalties and erected a strong community support network to help addicts. The results were astounding so long as the government kept the support money faucet open. Budget cuts revealed that perhaps the best answer is a strong support network to help people come clean, along with a police force that refers addicts to the recovery centers to get help. Here’s the story: Portugal: The Myth vs. The Reality Let’s clear something up right away: Portugal did not legalize drugs. This is one of the most persistent misconceptions in drug policy debates. What Portugal actually did in 2001 was far more nuanced—and initially, far more successful—than simple legalization. The country decriminalized personal drug possession, a distinction that matters enormously. Here’s how it works: Under Law 30/2000, which took effect in July 2001, possessing small amounts
Maduro in Court: Does Drug Criminalization Really Work?
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