follow exileguy on twitter

Portugal's drug policy...Treating, not punishing

The evidence from Portugal since 2001 is that decriminalisation of drug use and possession has benefits and no harmful side-effects

IN 2001 newspapers around the world carried graphic reports of addicts injecting heroin in the grimy streets of a Lisbon slum. The place was dubbed Europe’s “most shameful neighbourhood” and its “worst drugs ghetto”. The Times helpfully managed to find a young British backpacker sprawled comatose on a corner. This lurid coverage was prompted by a government decision to decriminalise the personal use and possession of all drugs, including heroin and cocaine. The police were told not to arrest anyone found taking any kind of drug.

This “ultraliberal legislation”, said the foreign media, had set alarm bells ringing across Europe. The Portuguese were said to be fearful that holiday resorts would become dumping-grounds for drug tourists. Some conservative politicians denounced the decriminalisation as “pure lunacy”. Plane-loads of foreign students would head for the Algarve to smoke marijuana, predicted Paulo Portas, leader of the People’s Party. Portugal, he said, was offering “sun, beaches and any drug you like.”

Yet after all the furore, the drug law was largely forgotten by the international and Portuguese press—until earlier this year, when the Cato Institute, a libertarian American think-tank, published a study of the new policy by a lawyer, Glenn Greenwald.* In contrast to the dire consequences that critics predicted, he concluded that “none of the nightmare scenarios” initially painted, “from rampant increases in drug usage among the young to the transformation of Lisbon into a haven for ‘drug tourists’, has occurred.”

Mr Greenwald claims that the data show that “decriminalisation has had no adverse effect on drug usage rates in Portugal”, which “in numerous categories are now among the lowest in the European Union”. This came after some rises in the 1990s, before decriminalisation. The figures reveal little evidence of drug tourism: 95% of those cited for drug misdemeanours since 2001 have been Portuguese. The level of drug trafficking, measured by numbers convicted, has also declined. And the incidence of other drug-related problems, including sexually transmitted diseases and deaths from drug overdoses, has “decreased dramatically”.

There are widespread misconceptions about the Portuguese approach. “It is important not to confuse decriminalisation with depenalisation or legalisation,” comments Brendan Hughes of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, which is, coincidentally, based in Lisbon. “Drug use remains illegal in Portugal, and anyone in possession will be stopped by the police, have the drugs confiscated and be sent before a commission.”

Nor is it uncommon in Europe to make drug use an administrative offence rather than a criminal one (putting it in the same category as not wearing a seat belt, say). What is unique, according to Mr Hughes, is that offenders in Portugal are sent to specialist “dissuasion commissions” run by the government, rather than into the judicial system. “In Portugal,” he says, “the health aspect [of the government’s response to drugs] has gone mainstream.”

The aim of the dissuasion commissions, which are made up of panels of two or three psychiatrists, social workers and legal advisers, is to encourage addicts to undergo treatment and to stop recreational users falling into addiction. They have the power to impose community work and even fines, but punishment is not their main aim. The police turn some 7,500 people a year over to the commissions. But nobody carrying anything considered to be less than a ten-day personal supply of drugs can be arrested, sentenced to jail or given a criminal record.

Officials believe that, by lifting fears of prosecution, the policy has encouraged addicts to seek treatment. This bears out their view that criminal sanctions are not the best answer. “Before decriminalisation, addicts were afraid to seek treatment because they feared they would be denounced to the police and arrested,” says Manuel Cardoso, deputy director of the Institute for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Portugal’s main drugs-prevention and drugs-policy agency. “Now they know they will be treated as patients with a problem and not stigmatised as criminals.”

The number of addicts registered in drug-substitution programmes has risen from 6,000 in 1999 to over 24,000 in 2008, reflecting a big rise in treatment (but not in drug use). Between 2001 and 2007 the number of Portuguese who say they have taken heroin at least once in their lives increased from just 1% to 1.1%. For most other drugs, the figures have fallen: Portugal has one of Europe’s lowest lifetime usage rates for cannabis. And most notably, heroin and other drug abuse has decreased among vulnerable younger age-groups, according to Mr Cardoso.

The share of heroin users who inject the drug has also fallen, from 45% before decriminalisation to 17% now, he says, because the new law has facilitated treatment and harm-reduction programmes. Drug addicts now account for only 20% of Portugal’s HIV cases, down from 56% before. “We no longer have to work under the paradox that exists in many countries of providing support and medical care to people the law considers criminals.”

“Proving a causal link between Portugal’s decriminalisation measures and any changes in drug-use patterns is virtually impossible in scientific terms,” concludes Mr Hughes. “But anyone looking at the statistics can see that drug consumption in 2001 was relatively low in European terms, and that it remains so. The apocalypse hasn’t happened.”

Penn and Teller, Bullshit! The Vatican

Jimi Hendrix - Hey Joe

New Radio Free Exile Posters...

Like these? Click on each image for ordering information. Help support Radio Free Exile. Thanks...

Argentina Supreme Court rules personal marijuana use is OK

The supreme court in Argentina has ruled that it is unconstitutional to punish people for using marijuana for personal consumption.

The decision follows a case of five young men who were arrested with a few marijuana cigarettes in their pockets.

The Argentine court ruled that: “Each adult is free to make lifestyle decisions without the intervention of the state.”

Supreme Court President Ricardo Lorenzetti said private behaviour was legal, “as long as it doesn’t constitute clear danger. The state cannot establish morality“…

Argentina’s move follows rulings by several other countries across the region, including Venezuela, Ecuador and Colombia.

The aim of such moves is to enable police to focus their efforts on the big criminals in the drugs trade rather than dealing with petty cases, says our correspondent, Candace Piette. But it also marks a shift a dramatic regional shift to the decades-old US-backed policy of running repressive military-style wars on the drug trade, she adds.

Another chunk of South America makes a political and legal decision – independent of 19th Century “morality”.

Teddy Dying Quotes...

...from Sarah Palin's facebook page.

"This country is now much better off, one less socialist, anti freedom senator."

"Now if we could just talk God into taking Spector, Reid and Pelosi, America would be Eutopia!"

"good riddens"

"I hope God makes him babysit all the aborted children for eternity."

"Ted Kennedy dying has made my day...."

"Good ridencance to a sorry person."

"It's about time, we can only hope Pelosi and Ried will be joining him very soon. All 3 of them should be buried in Moscow."

more philosophy...

I'm already against the next war

Dr. Steele's We Decide

new radio free exile podcast - "It's Back"

Hello Everyone,
After a brief hiatus, Radio Free Exile returns with the newest episode called, "It's Back." Not much else to say about it, except for you to give it a listen.

Here's the link: http://exileguy.mypodcast.com/index.html

featuring music & spoken word, in order of appearance, from:

dj slim - "everybody wants 2 smoke"
Paul Sprawl - "A Touch of Evil"
Annie Vox - "Gilding The Lillies"
Prosser's Voicemail # 1
Pat Condell - "Ban the Burka"
Solfwac - "4-closure"
DJ Monkey - "Jerusalem"
Roger Flensing - "Roger Flensing Speaks of Cynics"
Prosser's Voicemail #2
Allen Ginsberg - "America"
Matthew Mars - "Wallflower"
Prosser's Voicemail # 3
Marianne Faithful - "Working Class Hero"

____________________________________________________

For unique & cool gifts and things from exile, check out the Radio Free Exile Shoppe, swag for the masses.
Do Time With exileguy - check out exileguy's watches - you'll be glad you did!

Everyone is invited to submit to Radio Free Exile. I'm always on the lookout for interesting and cutting edge Indie Music, Spoken Word, and Commentary. What have you got to lose?

To submit your material for consideration, go to:
https://www.sendthisfile.com/f.jsp?id=fskCM6gQzqdvYFD2PWa4SkGM
and use the widget there to upload your mp3 files directly to me.


exileguy @ myspace
exileguy's blog
follow exileguy on twitter


"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
- The United States Constitution ©1791. All Rights Reserved
____________________________________________________

Cannabis - renewable energy

Jack, I'm Mellow - archived podcast

Well, I uploaded this file to the Internet Archive site, but they removed it because they were unhappy with the content, so, if you came here to listen, there's nothing, but if you go to my podcast, you can find it archived there. At least, here's a brand new photo of me.
There you have it.

jimi hendrix - foxy lady - live

Time for Washington state to decriminalize marijuana

The Washington Legislature should enact Senate Bill 5615, which would reclassify adult possession of marijuana from a crime to a civil infraction, write guest columnists Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Wells, D-Seattle, and former state Rep. Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland.

ONCE again, the Seattle Hempfest drew tens of thousands to parks along the waterfront this weekend. In its mission statement, the all-volunteer organization that produces the event says, "The public is better served when citizens and public officials work cooperatively in order to successfully accomplish common goals."

We agree. That is why we, as a Democratic state senator and former Republican state representative, support state Senate Bill 5615. This bill would reclassify adult possession of marijuana from a crime carrying a mandatory day in jail to a civil infraction imposing a $100 penalty payable by mail. The bill was voted out of committee with a bipartisan "do pass" recommendation and will be considered by legislators in 2010.

The bill makes a lot of sense, especially in this time of severely strapped budgets. Our state Office of Financial Management reported annual savings of $16 million and $1 million in new revenue if SB 5615 passes. Of that $1 million, $590,000 would be earmarked for the Washington State Criminal Justice Treatment Account to increase support of our underfunded drug-treatment and drug-prevention services.

The idea of decriminalizing marijuana is far from new. In 1970, Congress created the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse. A bipartisan body with 13 members — nine appointed by President Nixon and four by Congress — the commission was tasked with conducting a yearlong, authoritative study of marijuana. When the commission issued its report, "Marijuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding," in1972, it surprised many by recommending decriminalization:

Possession of marijuana in private for personal use would no longer be an offense; and distribution of small amounts of marijuana for no remuneration or insignificant remuneration not involving profit would no longer be an offense.

Twelve states took action and decriminalized marijuana in the 1970s. Nevada decriminalized in 2001, and Massachusetts did so in 2008. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, states where marijuana possession is decriminalized represent more than 35 percent of our nation's population.

These states have not seen a corresponding increase in use. Nor have the 14 states that have adopted legal protections for patients whose doctors recommend the medical use of marijuana. Nor the several cities and counties that have adopted "lowest law enforcement priority" ordinances like Seattle's Initiative 75, which made adult marijuana use the city's lowest law enforcement priority in 2003.

On the flip side of the coin, escalating law enforcement against marijuana users has not achieved its intended goals. From 1991 to 2007, marijuana arrests nationwide tripled from 287,900 to a record 872,720, comprising 47 percent of all drug arrests combined. Of those, 89 percent were for possession only. Nevertheless, according to a study released earlier this year by two University of Washington faculty members:

• The price of marijuana has dropped;

• Its average potency has increased;

• It has become more readily available; and

• Use rates have often increased during times of escalating enforcement.

We now have decades of proof that treating marijuana use as a crime is a failed strategy. It continues to damage the credibility of our public health officials and compromise our public safety. At a fundamental level, it has eroded our respect for the law and what it means to be charged with a criminal offense: 40 percent of Americans have tried marijuana at some point in their lives. It cannot be that 40 percent of Americans truly are criminals.

We hope that the citizens of this state will work with us to help pass SB 5615, the right step for Washington to take toward a more effective, less costly and fairer approach to marijuana use.

atheists

a world without les paul

more anti-war sentiment from exile...

Just a small sampling of anti-war/peace bumperstickers for your perusal. If you see something you like here, just click on the graphic for ordering information. Visit the Radio Free Exile Super Swag Emporium for all sorts of original posters, mugs, postage stamps, bumperstickers, t-shirts and the like, covering all kinds of issues and subjects. What do you have to lose? All purchases support the Radio Free Exile Podcast.

‘Capitalism: A Love Story’

new anti-war poster from exile

If this appeals to you, click on the graphic for ordering info.... thanks!

Barney Frank confronts wingnut woman

Stop The War

Here's an archived Radio Free Exile podcast episode. We've had an election, new president, new this - new that, but things haven't changed much. Click the play button, and listen now.



This episode can be downloaded as an mp3 at http://www.archive.org/details/StopTheWarThere you have it, what are you waiting for?

faux news channel

God the Psycho

god... an imaginary friend for grownups

Obama's Marijuana Mistake

ignorance is bliss...

Playing for Change Izulu

townhell beatings

Les Paul dies at 94

The guitarist and inventor, whose pioneering work made the sound of rock'n'roll possible, has died aged 94

Les Paul, the jazz guitarist and inventor who created one of the world's most famous electric guitars, has died. He was 94.

The Gibson Les Paul is the instrument of choice for Paul McCartney, Slash and U2's the Edge. It's still a firm favourite with younger bands such as Gallows. Les Paul helped create the famous model in the 1952, along with designer Ted McCarty.

Born in Wisconsin in 1915, Paul turned an early obssession with music into a successful career as a jazz guitarist, playing with the likes of Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby.

In 1939, Paul built one of the first solid-body electric guitars, known as "The Log", which prompted Gibson to approach him. Paul's legacy stretches much further than his signature guitar, however. As an inventor, Paul pioneered many studio techniques including multitrack recording, which allowed musicians to record parts separately before mixing them together into a finished track.

Gibson president Dave Berryman said: "As the father of the electric guitar, he was not only one of the world's greatest innovators but a legend who created, inspired and contributed to the success of musicians around the world."

Paul reportedly died of complications from pneumonia at White Plains Hospital.

Sarah Palin Update....

faith

something for your head

islam

Good Work, Mr. President

The Top 5 Reasons Why We Should Grow Hemp

While there are several reasons for legalizing Cannabis, hemp, which comes from the same plant genus as marijuana, definitely has the most tangible benefits. Besides, the strains of marijuana used in industrial and consumer products contain such a small level of the intoxicating substance, the two shouldn't be classified under the same category.

Hemp as paper: Hemp won't just save trees, but paper made from Hemp is stronger and more durable. According to Ecomall

The hemp plant, like cotton, produces cellulose fibers that are much more pure than fibers derived from wood...Many of the early documents printed on hemp paper hundreds, or even one thousand years ago, are still in existence.

Hemp as a fuel: Hemp is more sustainable and burns cleaner than any other fuel. More importantly, though, EcoMall says:

The same high cellulose level that makes hemp ideal for paper also makes it perfect for ethanol fuel production. Ethanol is the cleanest-burning liquid bio-alternative to gasoline. In one test, an unleaded gasoline automobile engine produced a thick, black carbon residue in its exhaust, while the tailpipe of a modified ethanol engine tested for the same 3,500 miles remained pristine and residue-free.

Also, when hemp as a biodiesel combusts it releases water vapor and CO2 which is absorbed by plants.

Hemp to renew soil: For one, hemp grows in abundance. But more importantly, when plants grow they deplete the soil of some natural vital nutrients, hemp however revitalizes the soil.

Hemp actually revitalizes the soil it grows in, both by aerating the soil and through the deposit of carbon dioxide in to it. This makes hemp ideal for crop rotation, and the crop that follows in the soil hemp grew in will develop better than if hemp had not been used.

Hemp as a fiber: Hemp is one of the strongest plant fibers. The venerable fiber is extremely resistant and rugged and has been used bu sailors to hold ships and sails. In fact, Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag from hemp.

Hemp can produce 250% more fiber than cotton and 600% more fiber than flax using the same amount of land.

Hemp as food and care: Hemp seeds can be eaten or used as edible oil and provide an incredible source for protein. It can also be grown where other plants won't because it is so durable. The oil can also be used for hair and skin care and detergent.

have you seen me?

the closer

having a great time...

Blowback

I Met The Walrus

In 1969, a 14-year-old Beatle fanatic named Jerry Levitan snuck into John Lennon's hotel room in Toronto and convinced him to do an interview. 38 years later, Levitan, director Josh Raskin and illustrator James Braithwaite have collaborated to create an animated short film using the original interview recording as the soundtrack. A spellbinding vessel for Lennon's boundless wit and timeless message, I Met the Walrus was nominated for the 2008 Academy Award for Animated Short.

Free Archived Podcast downloads

Hey There. There are now Radio Free Exile podcast episodes available as free mp3 downloads from the Internet Archive. Right now there are five episodes available and more will be added as time permits.

You can go grab these episodes now...


A Pre Recorded Universe

A 420 Kinda Day

Sacred Cows Make The Best Hamburgers

Take things From Work

The Posture Of Memory

There you have it, enjoy the shows, and let me know what you think.

mugging for you

buy unique gifts at The Radio Free Exile Super Swag Emporium