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The Long Read on Portugal's drug policy

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nvidic View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nvidic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2017 at 12:07pm
Originally posted by rossieman rossieman wrote:

Originally posted by nvidic nvidic wrote:

They need to rethink it and just sell it legally in shops in Portugal. Lisbon is ridiculous for getting asked every thirty seconds to buy hash or cocaine

That's probably the end goal but is it likely?
Decriminalization was a huge first step and solved some major problems,legalisation might not be possible.

Not sure it's likely but it is ruining Lisbon, such a nice city plagued by small time drug pushers
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GoneToShowgies Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2017 at 1:48pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Deane Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2017 at 1:55pm
What percentage of prisoners in Ireland are there for drug related crimes or are addicts themselves?
Edit: There probably isn't an accurate statistic on this but its just a thought as it surely has to be a large percentage.


Edited by Deane - 07 Dec 2017 at 1:57pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bob Hoskins Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2017 at 2:48pm
Originally posted by GoneToShowgies GoneToShowgies wrote:

Not Portugal but similar vein given Holland's view on drugs.
 

They had to import 240 convicts from Norway LOL LOL LOL
Romario 2016: And the ticket mafia gets caught! Well, four years ago I had already told the government.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SuperDave84 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2017 at 6:34pm
Originally posted by Deane Deane wrote:

What percentage of prisoners in Ireland are there for drug related crimes or are addicts themselves?
Edit: There probably isn't an accurate statistic on this but its just a thought as it surely has to be a large percentage.


The breakdown of offences may be available. However, what won't be available is the reason why a lot of others ended up there.

A heap of murders are committed by those involved in the drugs trade. Almost all petty shoplifters are drug addicts, although you need a few convictions for that before you end up behind bars. A decent percentage of robbers and burglars are also drug addicts, and a decent percentage of those again end up behind bars.

It is likely quite high. I'd be surprised if less than 50% of prisoners either weren't addicted to something or involved in the trade in some way. Now, of course, there's no guarantee a decent number of them wouldn't be in prison even with decriminalisation, but it ought to improve it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Deane Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 12:55pm
Originally posted by SuperDave84 SuperDave84 wrote:

Originally posted by Deane Deane wrote:

What percentage of prisoners in Ireland are there for drug related crimes or are addicts themselves?
Edit: There probably isn't an accurate statistic on this but its just a thought as it surely has to be a large percentage.


The breakdown of offences may be available. However, what won't be available is the reason why a lot of others ended up there.

A heap of murders are committed by those involved in the drugs trade. Almost all petty shoplifters are drug addicts, although you need a few convictions for that before you end up behind bars. A decent percentage of robbers and burglars are also drug addicts, and a decent percentage of those again end up behind bars.

It is likely quite high. I'd be surprised if less than 50% of prisoners either weren't addicted to something or involved in the trade in some way. Now, of course, there's no guarantee a decent number of them wouldn't be in prison even with decriminalisation, but it ought to improve it.
 
Has there ever been any campaigns or petitions targeting drug law reform in Ireland? 

To me the pros far outweigh the cons but what would opposition to a reform argue?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SuperDave84 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 5:05pm
I think some of the left wing parties (from the fractured left I mean, not Sinn Fein or Labour) are in favour of decriminalisation. Some of the independents may be as well. Not sure about Maureen O'Sullivan who took Tony Gregory's seat: his position was anti-drugs, but in favour of proper rehab facilities and the like, so she may be favour.

There's an argument to be made that everyone prosecuted for simple possession should be sent straight to the Drugs Court. They aren't at the minute. If it was better equipped, we could move towards decriminalisation.

However, there may be attitudes opposed to decriminalisation. The middle classes don't want it easier for their kids to get high-strength cannabis, especially given the well documented effects on developing brains. This is from a Times article:

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/decriminalising-drugs-could-it-work-in-ireland-1.3222246

"The data shows how, at its heart, drug decriminalisation is a class issue. It means the heroin addict from a marginalised community is less likely to die of an overdose but the son or daughter of a middle-class family is perhaps more likely to start using high strength cannabis or the dizzying array of synthetic substances that are available to buy online."
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