Dr. Wiplove Lamba & Jean-Paul Michael

Captain Hooked: The Addiction Project

Dr. Wiplove Lamba & Jean-Paul Michael

  • #143 Riding the Wave: Learning from Portugal's Progressive Drug Policy and Its Relevance to North American Policy

#143 Riding the Wave: Learning from Portugal's Progressive Drug Policy and Its Relevance to North American Policy

Thursday 25th May 2023

Dive into Portugal's innovative drug policy with Dr. Wiplove Lamba and Jean-Paul Michael. Explore its impact and relevance to North American policy.
33 minutes
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Thought-provoking
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About this podcast

Captain Hooked: The Addiction Project
Author:
Dr. Wiplove Lamba & Jean-Paul Michael
Overview:
Categories:
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Sobriety Toolkit
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Family Recovery from Addiction
Creative Recovery Journeys
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Episodes:
62 (View all)
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Portugal's Drug Policy: Lessons for North America

Episode Overview

  • Portugal's unique contextual considerations and decriminalization approach
  • Complexities surrounding drug policy and the interplay between law enforcement and public health strategies
  • Challenges and implications of resourcing prevention efforts
  • Contrasting perspectives on decriminalization and the criminal justice system
  • The need for comprehensive evaluation metrics to determine policy effectiveness
So are they supplying the drugs then? It's illegal to import drugs into the country still? Drugs are still illegal. It's the personal use. Just the personal use? Personal possession for personal use. That's no longer criminal. So if you're trafficking it or you're bringing it in, it's illegal. If you give it to a minor, it's illegal. So if you give it to somebody under 19, you can get four to 12 years in jail, right?
Portugal took a bold step over two decades ago by decriminalizing all drugs and shifting to a public health approach. In this episode of 'Captain Hooked: The Addiction Project', Dr. Wiplove Lamba and Jean-Paul Michael dissect this groundbreaking policy and its implications for North America. They explore whether Portugal's strategy led to rampant drug use or a decline in drug-related deaths and HIV rates. You'll hear about the country's commitment to harm reduction and its move away from criminal punishment.
This episode also tackles the hot topics of safer supply, involuntary treatment, and drug legalization - issues that are currently stirring debates in North America. Through their expert lens, Dr. Wip and JP provide a nuanced look at how these policies have reshaped Portugal's social fabric and public health outcomes. Whether you're curious about the effectiveness of decriminalization or the ethical dilemmas of involuntary treatment, this episode offers a treasure trove of insights.
Perfect for anyone interested in the complexities of drug policy and its real-world impacts.