International Case Studies

🇵🇹 Portugal

Decriminalization since 2001

Od roku 2001 sú všetky drogy v Portugalsku dekriminalizované. Podľa správ EUDA: úmrtia na drogy patria medzi najnižšie v Európe, HIV infekcie medzi užívateľmi drog dramaticky poklesli, viac ľudí je v liečbe, menej väznení za drogové trestné činy.

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.

Zdroje: EUDA, Transform Drug Policy Foundation

🇨🇭 Switzerland

Heroin Program since 1994

Švajčiarsky program distribúcie heroínu (od roku 1994) podľa Spolkového úradu pre verejné zdravie ukazuje: výrazné zníženie majetkovej kriminality, zlepšená sociálna integrácia, merateľné zlepšenie zdravia. Program je švajčiarskou vládou hodnotený ako úspešný.

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.

Zdroje: Swiss Federal Office of Public Health

🇳🇱 Netherlands

Coffeeshops since 1976

Napriek coffeeshopom je spotreba kanabisu v Holandsku pod priemerom EÚ. Model ukazuje: tolerancia automaticky nevedie k vyššej spotrebe.

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.

Zdroje: EUDA Netherlands Report

Sweden

Repression instead of Regulation

Švédsko v súčasnosti presadzuje jeden z najtvrdších represívnych kurzov v Európe proti gangovej kriminalite: viac polície, prísnejšie tresty, rýchlejšie deportácie. Napriek tomu gangové násilie, drogová kriminalita a nábor maloletých zostávajú na vysokej úrovni. Krajina ukazuje, čo sa stane, keď sa zvolí represia namiesto regulácie.

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:

Jednoduché "tvrdšie zasahovanie" nerieši základné príčiny. Kým drogový trh zostáva nelegálny, ziskové marže sú dostatočne vysoké na to, aby sa každé riziko vyplatilo. Gangy pokračujú v nábore, násilie sa presúva, problém pretrváva. Regulácia rieši štrukturálne príčiny: kontrolované látky, legálne dodávateľské reťazce, zbavenie zdrojov príjmov kartelov. Švédska cesta ukazuje: bez politickej vízie pre reguláciu vždy hrozí mantra "tvrdšie, rýchlejšie, deportovať" – politika, ktorá bojuje so symptómami bez liečenia choroby.

Zdroje: 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.

Zdroje: 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.