International Case Studies

🇵🇹 Portugal

Decriminalization since 2001

Sinds 2001 zijn in Portugal alle drugs gedecriminaliseerd. Volgens EUDA-rapporten: drugsdoden behoren tot de laagste in Europa, HIV-nieuwe infecties onder drugsgebruikers drastisch gedaald.

The Model:

  • Possession of small amounts is no longer a crime
  • Instead: Referral to "Dissuasion Commissions"
  • Focus on health, not punishment
  • Massive investments in treatment and prevention
Low
Drug Deaths (EU comparison)
↓↓
HIV Infections
↑↑
Treatments
Incarcerations

* Exact figures vary by source and measurement period. See EUDA reports for current data.

Bronnen: EUDA, Transform Drug Policy Foundation

🇨🇭 Switzerland

Heroin Program since 1994

De door de staat gelicenseerde heroïneverkoop (HAT) in Zwitserland sinds 1994 toont: duidelijke vermindering van aanschafcriminaliteit, verbeterde sociale integratie.

The Model:

  • Heroin-Assisted Treatment (HAT) for severely addicted
  • Pharmaceutically pure heroin under medical supervision
  • Daily visits to specialized clinics
  • Integrated into comprehensive treatment program
↓↓
Acquisitive Crime
↑↑
Social Integration
↑↑
Health
Effective
Cost-Benefit

* Based on official evaluations by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health.

Bronnen: Swiss Federal Office of Public Health

🇳🇱 Netherlands

Coffeeshops since 1976

Ondanks coffeeshops ligt het cannabisgebruik in Nederland onder het EU-gemiddelde. Het model toont: tolerantie leidt niet automatisch tot hoger gebruik.

The Model:

  • "Gedoogbeleid" – Tolerance policy for cannabis
  • Licensed coffeeshops may sell up to 5g
  • Strict rules: No advertising, no minors, no hard drugs
  • Separation of cannabis and other drug markets
Similar
Use Rate vs. EU
Stable
Youth Use
~550
Coffeeshops (approx.)
48+
Years Experience

* Use rates according to EUDA vary by survey methodology.

Bronnen: EUDA Netherlands Report

Sweden

Repression instead of Regulation

Zweden voert momenteel een van Europa's hardste repressiekoersen tegen bendecriminaliteit: meer politie, strengere straffen, snellere uitzettingen. Toch blijven bendegeweld, drugscriminaliteit en rekrutering van minderjarigen op hoog niveau. Het land toont wat er gebeurt wanneer repressie wordt gekozen boven regulering.

The Current Strategy:

  • Harshest penalties, faster deportations of allegedly criminal foreigners
  • New laws against gang membership and "socially harmful behavior"
  • More police, surveillance, repression policy
  • Political narrative: Migration = Crime
High
Gang Violence
↑↑
Youth Recruitment
Mixed
Repression Effect
0
Regulation Approaches

What Sweden Shows:

Simpelweg "harder optreden" lost de onderliggende oorzaken niet op. Zolang de drugsmarkt illegaal blijft, zijn de winstmarges hoog genoeg dat elk risico loont. Bendes blijven rekruteren, geweld verplaatst zich, het probleem blijft. Regulering pakt de structurele oorzaken aan: gecontroleerde substanties, legale toeleveringsketens, ontneming van inkomstenbronnen voor kartels. Zwedens pad toont: zonder politieke visie voor regulering dreigt altijd het mantra "harder, sneller, uitzetten" – een beleid dat symptomen bestrijdt zonder de ziekte te genezen.

Bronnen: Tagesspiegel, Brottsförebyggande rådet (Brå)

🇨🇦 Canada

Cannabis Legalization since 2018

Canada was the first G7 country to fully legalize cannabis. The model shows how a regulated market can be built – with lessons for other countries.

The Model:

  • Federal legalization with provincial implementation
  • Licensed producers and retail outlets
  • Strict quality controls and packaging regulations
  • Age limit 18-19 (depending on province)
Growing
Legal Market
↑↑
Tax Revenue
↓↓
Black Market
↑↑
Jobs

* Based on Statistics Canada and Health Canada reports.

Bronnen: Health Canada, Statistics Canada

Evidence

What the literature shows

Based on BMG/ECaLe report 2023, CMAJ 2023, Lancet Public Health 2025, National Academies 2023.

Research scope

Bibliometric analyses count >10,000 cannabis studies and dozens of reviews on regulation, advertising, health, transport.

Use patterns

Adult use rises modestly, youth use remains broadly stable. Retail density, pricing and prevention are decisive.

Health & safety

ER visits increase with edibles/high potency products; traffic data are mixed. Governance (THC caps, testing) reduces risk.

Key Statistics

~87 Mio.

Europeans (15-64) have used illegal drugs at least once

~31 Mrd. €

Estimated annual revenue of the illegal drug market in the EU

6.166

Drug deaths in the EU in 2021

~4

Drug deaths per million population in Portugal (EU average: ~22)

Scientific Studies

Peer-reviewed research and official reports on drug policy

Johns Hopkins-Lancet Commission

Drug Policy and Public Health: Comprehensive analysis by leading scientists. Recommends regulated markets instead of prohibition.

View Study →

EUDA – European Drug Report

Annual report from the EU Drugs Agency with current data on all EU countries.

View Report →

Transform Drug Policy Foundation

Leading think tank for drug reform with extensive resources on regulation models and evidence.

View Publications →

Drug Policy Alliance

US organization with extensive research on reform successes in various states.

View Resources →

Download Materials

Fact sheets and infographics for your work

Further Resources

Expert networks and analysis for evidence-based drug policy.