Decriminalization – a former Commissioner for Narcotics of India, Romesh Bhattacharji, looks at Portugal and compares

The report starts with the observation: “Had incarceration reduced addiction, this [criminal justice focus in India] could have been tolerated. But, year after year drug addiction has only increased, and so has drug trafficking.” The same comment applies to India, the US, Russia and most countries of the world. As for the experience in Portugal, where decriminalization was adopted in 2000: “…jails have emptied out, enforcement has more time to follow the main traffickers." HIV infection as a result of needle sharing is said to have been reduced to zero in 2007, and the prevalence of heroin, cocaine and synthetic drug use has decreased. Deaths reportedly were reduced 60% by 2007. Treatment – including treatment with opiate agonists - is promptly available to all who seek it.

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