Drug Policy in Portugal.

Drug laws in Portugal make no distinction between hard and soft drugs. Drug use is not an offence, but possession and acquisition of drugs are criminal offences. The sentencing for these offences varies depending if the court finds the user to be an addict or a non-addict. If the court finds the offender to be an addict dependent on obtaining the drug for personal use, medical treatment may be substituted for criminal sanctions. For recreational users, the maximum punishment for possession and/or acquisition has been traditionally three months in prison with an additional 90 days redeemable through a fine. In practice however, Portuguese officials may decide to waive the penalty in lieu of a reprimand if the drug use is accepted as having only been occasional. Trafficking in illicit drugs can carry a penalty of six to twelve years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of Esc 50,000-5,000,000.

On April 22, 1999, the Portuguese government announced a decision from the council of ministers to decriminalize the use and possession of drugs for personal use. This plan abolishes the three-month imprisonment rendered as punishment for these offences, and emphasizes harm-reduction strategies as an alternate means of control. Decriminalisation does not mean that possession and use are not sanctioned, however penalties have been reduced to fines, community service, and/or revocation of driver licenses for minor drug offenders