International Case Studies

🇵🇹 Portugal

Decriminalization since 2001

Kopš 2001. gada visas narkotikas Portugālē ir dekriminalizētas. Saskaņā ar EUDA ziņojumiem: nāves no narkotikām ir starp zemākajām Eiropā, HIV infekcijas starp narkotiku lietotājiem ir krasi samazinājušās, vairāk cilvēku ir ārstēšanā, mazāk ieslodzījumu par narkotiku nodarījumiem.

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.

Avoti: EUDA, Transform Drug Policy Foundation

🇨🇭 Switzerland

Heroin Program since 1994

Šveices heroīna izsniegšanas programma (kopš 1994. gada) saskaņā ar Federālo sabiedrības veselības biroju rāda: ievērojamu īpašuma noziedzības samazinājumu, uzlabotu sociālo integrāciju, izmērāmus veselības uzlabojumus. Programmu Šveices valdība novērtē kā veiksmīgu.

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.

Avoti: Swiss Federal Office of Public Health

🇳🇱 Netherlands

Coffeeshops since 1976

Neskatoties uz kafejnīcām, kaņepju patēriņš Nīderlandē ir zem ES vidējā. Modelis rāda: tolerance automātiski neved pie augstāka patēriņa.

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.

Avoti: EUDA Netherlands Report

Sweden

Repression instead of Regulation

Zviedrija pašlaik īsteno vienu no stingrākajiem represiju kursiem Eiropā pret bandu noziedzību: vairāk policijas, bargāki sodi, ātrākas deportācijas. Tomēr bandu vardarbība, narkotiku noziedzība un nepilngadīgo vervēšana paliek augstā līmenī. Valsts parāda, kas notiek, kad represijas tiek izvēlētas regulējuma vietā.

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:

Vienkārši "sitiena stiprināšana" neatrisina pamatcēloņus. Kamēr narkotiku tirgus paliek nelegāls, peļņas maržas ir pietiekami augstas, lai katrs risks atmaksātos. Bandas turpina vervēt, vardarbība pārvietojas, problēma saglabājas. Regulējums risina strukturālās cēloņus: kontrolētas vielas, legālas piegādes ķēdes, karteļu ieņēmumu avotu atņemšana. Zviedrijas ceļš parāda: bez politiskās vīzijas regulējumam vienmēr draud mantra "bargāk, ātrāk, deportēt" – politika, kas cīnās ar simptomiem, neārstējot slimību.

Avoti: 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.

Avoti: 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

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Further Resources

Expert networks and analysis for evidence-based drug policy.