Podcast: Will drug decriminalisation actually happen? (opens original article in a new tab)

An Irish committee recommends decriminalizing personal drug possession, citing Portugal's 2001 model that treats drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal matter, with expert tribunals directing users to treatment and mobile injection centers reducing opposition.

• Oireachtas committee recommends decriminalizing personal drug possession with a health-led approach
• Portugal decriminalized all personal drug use in 2001, referring users to health services instead of prosecution
• Portuguese policy focuses on treatment over reducing drug use, with expert tribunals directing users to treatment options
• Mobile injection centers and needle-exchange programs help reduce NIMBYism and provide harm reduction services
• Success of Portuguese model depends on consistent funding and political support across governments