I read a HN comment here from a resident of Portugal the decriminalization has been significantly mischaracterized. The main reason it worked at all was due to a huge rise in heroin use, which the criminal system was having trouble handling. And the areas where people used drugs rapidly went downhill. I am not sure it can be declared a unilateral success.
I'm not doubting, but is there evidence for the negative effects in some regions? From what I remember years ago it seemed like a significant success based on a number of metrics
The writer claims the decriminalization was forced by a heroin epidemic, and it coincided with an economic downturn. So, my statement that it caused areas with drug use to decline is most likely false, as the decline is better attributed to the economic downturn.
