in 2001 Portugal decriminalized the buying, possession and consumption of all drugs. Cocaine and heroin included. since then they have see a decline in the use of drugs nationwide, especially among the youth.
what exactly are the details of his law and how does it work? can olks from Portugal comment this? thank you
This BBC Radio 4 article from June 2009 discusses drug policy in Portugal.
Basically, for a first offense you get hauled up in front of a Dissuasion Committee. A second offense could get you community service, and further offenses could see you committed to a treatment program. They have made drug abuse a medical issue, not a criminal one. Drug use is not tolerated, though. And visitors to Portugal could well find themselves having their visas canceled. Not sure about EU citizens, though.
Si