Introduction
Drug addiction has many adverse effects on the individual, society, and the country. The implication is that many lawmakers try to strategize ways to end substances that are usually abused. There are two primary approaches, well exemplified by the United States’s stringent measures toward users and Portugal’s user-friendly approach, where users are free to enjoy themselves and decide when they want to stop without fear of criminalization. Although restrictive measures create fear, they do not deter people from accessing drugs and may cause stigma that prevents people with an addiction from receiving professional help.
Portuguese Drug Policies
The Portuguese police try to make it as hard as possible for drug dealers to sell their drugs. In 2001, Portugal came up with a harm reduction policy, which was people-focused, and drug users were decriminalized (Big Think, 2014). The approach allows psychologists to help users who want treatment without stigmatization. The anti-drug funding sources are used to help people with an addiction who need assistance adopting a sober life. The decriminalization of drugs in Portugal reduced drug-induced deaths, as many people were able to access help.
American Drug Policies
Conversely, the United States uses the hardline approach, where every person found with drugs, regardless of size, is prosecuted. The increase in immigrants in the United States led to social concerns about drugs. In 1914, the Harrison Act was passed to restrict the sale of heroin, cocaine, and opium. The approach increases drug use, and now, many states are considering making changes.
For instance, in 2014, Colorado became the first state to legalize cannabis fully and saw a sharp increase in revenue (The Economist, 2015). Meanwhile, the initiation of young people to use marijuana has been reduced. The marijuana tax is used to assist people who have been affected by the drug by investing in rehabilitation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the strategies a country adopts to end drug use directly affect people’s social behavior. The assumption that banning sales and possession helps reduce the number of users has proven ineffective in the United States. However, legalizing drugs and allowing freedom of their use is vital in ending stigmatization and encouraging people to seek treatment. In addition, it helps the government to increase its revenues and reinvest in profitable endeavors.
References
Big Think. (2014). Ethan Nadelmann: The War on Drugs is Racist. YouTube.
The Economist. (2015). How Portugal and Colorado solved their drug problems – Google search. YouTube.