Health

Portugal Ended Their Heroin Epidemic Through Treatment and Decriminalization

December 27th 2017


20 years ago, Portugal had a huge heroin problem but they prioritized sending users to rehab instead of arresting them. Now, Portugal has 75% fewer addiction cases than they did in the ’90s and the rate of drug-induced deaths is 5x lower than the rest of Europe’s average. Drugs are still illegal in Portugal, but they prioritize rehabilitation over prison.