Saving Lives, Changing Minds: How Portugal is Winning the War on Drugs

Publicerad denFörfattareKontrast.at

Portugal has taken a bold step in its way out of the drug crisis, addressing drug use by choosing to focus on health and support instead of punishment—and the results are remarkable. Since decriminalizing drug possession in 2001, drug-related deaths have dropped sharply, HIV infections have declined, and more people are accessing support services. Portugal’s approach is inspiring a global conversation about rethinking the war on drugs, shifting focus to prioritize public health over criminalization.
A New Approach: Help Instead of Punishment
Portugal’s drug policy shifts the focus from punishment to rehabilitation. Being caught with small amounts of drugs for personal use no longer leads to arrest or imprisonment. Instead, individuals are referred to “Commissions for the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction.” These teams—composed of psychologists, social workers, and legal experts—assess the individual’s situation.
Their aim is to understand why the person uses drugs and what kind of support they need, whether that’s counseling, treatment, or social services. This innovative approach treats drug use as a health issue rather than a crime, breaking down barriers that often prevent people from seeking help.
Real Results: Fewer Deaths, Better Health
The impact of this shift has been profound. Drug-related deaths in Portugal are now among the lowest in Europe. Before decriminalization, the country faced a public health crisis, with hundreds of deaths and rising HIV rates among drug users.
Today, these numbers have dropped significantly. Portugal’s harm reduction programs, such as the distribution of clean needles and access to voluntary therapy, have played a key role in these improvements. These services reduce the risk of infections like HIV and hepatitis while encouraging people to seek help without fear of legal consequences.
Portugal’s way out of the drug crisis: Building Trust and Preventing Harm
Another critical component of Portugal’s strategy is the establishment of drug consumption rooms. These spaces allow individuals to use drugs under medical supervision, preventing overdoses and ensuring immediate medical assistance when needed. They also provide clean equipment to reduce the spread of infectious diseases and serve as entry points for people to connect with healthcare services. For many, these safe spaces are the first step toward recovery.
Problematic Drug Use and Social Factors
One of the most striking outcomes of Portugal’s policy is the decline in “problematic” drug use—defined as frequent and high-risk use. This has decreased significantly, particularly among young people. Experts attribute this to a combination of decriminalization, education, and accessible support services that are designed to tackle not just the symptoms of drug use but also the root causes.
Portugal’s strategy goes further by addressing the social and economic factors that contribute to addiction. Programs focus on reintegrating individuals into society, offering job training, housing assistance, and social support. By addressing these root causes of addiction, Portugal aims to break the cycle of addiction and improve overall well-being.
A Model for the World?
Portugal’s success is an example of how compassionate, health-focused policies can address drug issues more effectively than punishment. The combination of decriminalization, harm reduction services, and efforts to tackle underlying social issues provides a comprehensive model for sustainable change.
This approach has inspired discussions in countries worldwide. For instance, nations like Canada and Switzerland have implemented similar harm reduction measures, although on a smaller scale. Yet many countries remain hesitant, clinging to punitive measures despite mounting evidence that they are less effective.
This work is licensed under the Creative Common License. It can be republished for free, either translated or in the original language. In both cases, please cite Kontrast / Sophie Wenkel as the original source/author and set a link to this article on TheBetter.news. https://thebetter.news/portugal-drug-policy/

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Portugal Introduces Nationwide €20 Train Ticket for Unlimited Travel

Publicerad denFörfattareSophie Wenkel

Portugal plans a new €20 train ticket. This will allow residents to travel on all trains across the country for just €20 a month. The initiative aims to ease financial pressure on citizens and support climate protection.
In 2023, the government introduced a €49 ticket. It offered unlimited travel on most regional trains for a month to locals and tourists. However, high-speed trains and the urban networks in Porto, Lisbon, and Coimbra were not included. Now, the government plans to cut the price in half. It will also include intercity express trains, as Prime Minister Luís Montenegro announced:
“We will offer a €20 monthly ticket for all city trains, regional trains, intercity trains, and the Intercidades network.”
€20 Train Ticket in Portugal: Reducing costs while promoting sustainability
“It’s an investment in people, the environment, and the future,” said the Prime Minister.
The exact start date is unclear. Some questions remain. Can the railway infrastructure handle the increased demand? Will the ticket be available for tourists? The government is also deciding on train reservations and the cancellation policy.This work is licensed under the Creative Common License. It can be republished for free, either translated or in the original language. In both cases, please cite Kontrast / Kontrast Redaktion as the original source/author and set a link to this article on Scoop.me. https://thebetter.news/portugal-introduces-nationwide-e20-train-ticket-for-unlimited-travel/

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Portugal launches a 4-day week field trial

Publicerad denFörfattareKontrast.at

Last week sees the launch of a pilot trial of the 4-day week in Portugal. Thirty-nine companies are taking part, including 12 that have previous experience with shorter working hours. The aim of the project is to measure the impact of the 4-day week on employees’ physical and mental health, as well as the economic impact on companies. 
The companies have committed to reducing weekly working hours while maintaining full pay. Specifically, the 100-80-100 model will be used: Employees receive 100% of pay if they work 80% of the time and perform 100% of the time in return. Companies have volunteered for the program without receiving financial compensation. They can also reverse the measure at any time if they wish.
Participation was open to all private companies in Portugal. The project is now being carried out in collaboration with the non-profit organization 4-Day-Week-Global, which is contributing its expertise and supporting implementation.
Companies from production, trade, research – including daycare center and nursing home
The participating companies come from various industries. They include companies from the manufacturing sector, the retail trade and non-profit organizations. A daycare center, a nursing home, a research and development center and a stem cell bank are also part of the pilot project.
The main reasons for participating were to reduce stress and burnout risks among employees and improve employee retention.
The project is coordinated and supervised by Dr. Pedro Gomes, professor of economics, and Dr. Rita Fontinha, professor of strategic management. They will follow the companies’ experiences during the test to determine the economic, social and environmental impact of the four-day week.
“The future belongs to those who can attract the best workforce”
“So much has changed in society in the last 30 years: the technology we use, the speed at which we communicate, the types of jobs we do, the length of our lives or the role of women in society. But we still organize work in exactly the same way. We believe that the four-day week is a more efficient and sustainable way to organize work in the 21st century, and that it brings mutual benefits for workers, companies and the economy,” the project’s coordinators, Dr. Pedro Gomes and Dr. Rita Fontinha, explain the field trial.
“Portugal is taking another step into the future of work. The four-day workweek pilot project is based on the premise that work-life balance is crucial to attracting employees and improving productivity and innovation. The best companies are those that guarantee to provide space for talent and fulfillment for workers. This is just the beginning – a promising start – of one of the many changes we are implementing in the labor market of a country that has historically high employment levels and strives to attract and retain talent. The future belongs to those who can attract the best workers with strong skills and higher levels of satisfaction in a globally competitive marketplace where talent and people are the best resources.”

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Portugal caps rents, gives away vacant flats & suspends VAT on basic foodstuffs

Publicerad denFörfattareneuezeit.at

Inflation is driving more and more unexpecting people into poverty. The Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) and the Greens nevertheless refuse to take action against the skyrocketing prices. The Portuguese government shows that there is another way: it already capped rents last year. Recently, Portugal has started renting out vacant flats and suspended VAT on 44 basic foodstuffs.
Between 2017 and 2022, rents in Portugal increased by 42 percent. The country is one of the poorest in Western Europe. Although the government only raised it in December, the minimum wage is just 760 euros a month. More than half of workers earn less than 1000 euros per month.
The government of the socialist Prime Minister António Costa has therefore limited rent increases. Landlords can increase them by a maximum of two percent. Costa’s next step is to put about 730,000 vacant flats on the market. If a flat remains unoccupied for more than two years, Portugal will have it forcibly rented out.
Putting vacant flats on the market
Owners of vacant flats receive a rental offer from the municipality, to which they must respond within ten days. If they do not accept the offer, they have another 90 days to rent out the flat or use it themselves. If the owners continue to do nothing, “municipalities proceed with the compulsory leasing”, according to the planned law. In this case, the municipality manages the flat and, if necessary, carries out renovation work to make it habitable. They then put the flats on the market for five years at low rents. According to the government, rents may not exceed 35 per cent of the family income. The income – minus the renovation costs – is paid out to the owners. There is an exception for properties that registered as tourist enterprises or local accommodation establishments. Flats that are currently being worked on or are about to be sold are also excluded.
Austria: ÖVP & Greens fueling inflation instead of relieving the burden on tenants
In Austria, the situation is different. Here, too, the government discussed a rent brake at the end of February. In the end, however, the ÖVP and the Greens opted for a housing cost subsidy. While 250 million euros will be paid out as a one-time payment, the increased rents remain the same or rise further in the future. Moreover, the housing cost subsidy ends up back with the landlord after the rent payment. The inflation rate in Austria in February was 11 per cent. Tenants not only have to pay higher prices for energy and electricity like everyone else, but also higher rents.
Gabriel Felbermayr, head of the Economic Research Institute (Wifo), also criticises the government’s approach. “I thought it was clear by now that more and more new cash transfers can cushion social hardship, but do not dampen inflation, instead they even fuel it”. The state does not have these 250 million euros and has to borrow them on the capital markets; if you put new money into the economy, it drives up prices, Felbermayr said. In his view, the rent brake was a way to get out of the price spiral.
Portugal suspends VAT
The government in Portugal on the other hand, is not only putting vacant flats on the market, it is also curbing rising inflation by suspending VAT. For the time being, it is suspending VAT on 44 basic foodstuffs for six months. If necessary, it wants to extend this period. This measure is part of an agreement with producers and retailers to stabilize prices as soon as possible. The government also foresees financial support for farmers and livestock in this framework. The suspension of VAT will make bread, eggs, meat, oil, yoghurt, fish and cheese, among other things, cheaper and more affordable for Portuguese households.
This work is licensed under the Creative Common License. It can be republished for free, either translated or in the original language. In both cases, please cite https://neuezeit.at / Kasija Milošević as the original source/author and set a link to this article on Scoop.me. https://scoop.me/portugal-vacant-flats-vat/

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