Drug Use in Sweden Germany and Portugal

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drug problems. However, in 2002 they adapted an “Action Plan on Drugs and Addiction”, which proven to be a successful effort to reduce drug abuse.

Seeing that Sweden have one of the lowest drug usage rates in the western world, should countries such as Portugal, with a history of high HIV infections due to drug injections, and Germany where heroin-assisted treatments are accessible and offered through the national health insurance apply proven successful methods, such as the Swedish?

In Sweden, there is a zero tolerance attitude towards any type of illegal drugs. All major political parties in Sweden share the opinion that all illegal drug usage is ethically wrong and will not be accepted in society. The same views are shared by the Swedish population resulting in a further emphasis of non-tolerance towards drug usage. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Sweden has one of the lowest drug usage rates in the western world, confirming that ...

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up to 10 years, higher fines, allowing police enforcement to conduct body searches, and increasing police force and recourses; however, the most vital change in Swedish drug policy was its early switch of emphasis from punishment to treatment and prevention. The Swedish government realized that by developing treatment and prevention programs, the issues of drug usage would be tackled at an earlier point and therefore reduces the number of addicts. And by further including it in the free Swedish health system, it would be available for anyone who seeks it. Also, in Sweden, the majority of treatment and rehabilitation centers are developed and handled by public institutions. Though ...

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