Evidence of drug misuse being less under decriminalisation?

[jung-hwa75]

http://www.cato.org/pubs/wtpapers/greenwald_whitepaper.pdf

The article explains the decriminalisation of all drugs in Portugal pretty much being a success. In particular, the figures for Heroin related deaths and HIV/AIDS are vastly improved since the decriminalisation.

AND I ALSO MUST NOTE

Decriminalisation is NOT legalisation. Dealing, possesion, supply, theyre all still illegal. But possesion and use are administratively adjourned rather than criminally.

The figures show it worked. Should we not be following trend?

I must say also, those with the masses of laws imposed (ie, USA, UK) have some of the highest rates, whilst the more 'liberal' countries have fewer figures relating to problems and deaths.

[sebastiano53]

We should legalize marijuana and decriminalize everything else. When we do that then we can release the approximately 80% of prisoners who are incarcerated for non-violent drug offenses like possession and use. Then we would have plenty of room to lock up the really bad guys. No one should be put in a cage for drugs.


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[eliot]

Don't assume that the decriminalization and the lowered death and HIV/Aids infection rate are related. People trying to push something often ignore all the evidence that doesn't support their contention. In all probability, more education about HIV/AIDS has lowered the rates of infection and heroin use is going through a period of disdain (something else is more popular). Keep in mind that the people pushing heroin are users themselves. You have enough of the primary pushers die in a short period and the supply temporarily dies with it. That alone could account for the reduced deaths.