Portugal decriminalization model faces pressure as cocaine use rises

Politicians are debating whether to roll back parts of Portugal’s drug decriminalization policy amid reports of increased public cocaine use.

Portugal’s landmark drug decriminalization policy is under renewed scrutiny as public concern over cocaine use grows in Lisbon and Porto.

Proponents of the model say the issue is underfunded treatment services, not decriminalization itself.

Critics argue the policy has reduced the stigma of drug use without expanding recovery capacity, leading to visible open-air consumption.

The debate is being watched across Europe as other countries consider similar public-health approaches to drug policy.