As Swiss lawmakers debate a potential overhaul of their drug policies, the decades-old Portuguese model of decriminalization is gaining renewed attention as a possible solution to rising public drug use [[1]]. The proposal in Lausanne comes amid a broader European conversation regarding harm reduction and treatment-focused strategies, notably as Portugal‘s 2000 reforms-originally implemented in response to a severe heroin crisis-continue to be analyzed for their impact on public health and drug-related crime [[2]]. While Portugal has seen success in lowering drug-related deaths, it now grapples with its role as a key transit point for cannabis and cocaine entering the European market, a challenge that underscores the complex realities of modern drug control.
Lawmakers in Lausanne, Switzerland, are considering a radical shift in drug policy, looking to Portugal’s decades-old model as a potential solution to growing public drug use. A motion before the Grand Council proposes adopting Portugal’s approach of decriminalizing all drug use, a policy implemented 25 years ago that has garnered international attention.
In Lisbon, individuals caught with drugs are no longer processed through the criminal justice system. Instead, they are referred to a Commission for Dissuasion, overseen by the Ministry of Health. There, a young man apprehended with cannabis might meet with a social worker, rather than face a judge. While drug consumption remains an administrative offense subject to a fine, the focus has shifted from punishment to support.
“Each consumer is different and has different reasons for using,” explains Nuno Portugal, Vice President of the Lisbon Commission for Dissuasion. “The courts apply the law to everyone, without distinction. We, however, are dependent on the Ministry of Health and operate differently. We are primarily interested in the person.”
Treating, Not Punishing
Those apprehended are offered access to psychologists, social workers, or medical professionals if they are struggling with addiction.
Portugal’s move in 2000 to prioritize treatment over punishment came as the country grappled with a severe heroin crisis impacting all levels of society.
João Goulão, Director of the Service for Intervention on Addictive Behaviors and Prevention, and the architect of the reform, described the prevailing sentiment at the time: “There was a consensus in Portuguese society. When a loved one struggles with drugs, people realize they aren’t criminals. They need help, care, not punishment. They have a problem that needs to be solved.”
A New Gateway: Cannabis
Twenty-five years later, drug-related deaths and heroin use have dramatically decreased. However, Portugal now faces a new challenge: drug trafficking. The country has become a major entry point for cannabis and cocaine into Europe, leading to record-level seizures.
“We are doing everything we can to combat international trafficking,” says Armando Ferreira, President of the SINAPOL police union. “But traffickers are constantly innovating and finding new methods to successfully import drugs.”
This trend is affecting all of Europe, prompting governments to re-evaluate their anti-drug policies. Portugal’s model continues to serve as a benchmark for those prioritizing prevention and harm reduction over strict law enforcement. The development highlights the evolving challenges of drug policy in a globalized world.
Fabian Castillo Rodriguez/hkr
