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Portugal's Wildly Successful Decriminalization Experiment

Carlyn Zwarenstein

August 24, 2019 |

Reasons to be Cheerful |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Portugal, Porto

Since introducing both the decriminalization of a range of substances like heroin and cocaine and new harm-reduction strategies in 2001, Portugal has seen success in driving down HIV cases, overdoses, and needle sharing. The country attributes their progress to treating the issue of drug use as a human rights issue rather than a criminal one, because they consider external factors that contribute to addiction like gender, class, or race.

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University of Alabama study may be key to winning war on drugs

Andrew Yawn

June 21, 2019 |

The Montgomery Advertiser |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Florida

The United States has continuously put resources towards fighting the war on drugs, but a recent research collaborative that resulted in a comprehensive model has shown that there is a lot to be learned from the failures of these efforts. Although still in the early stages, the model is being turned into a virtual lab that will serve to test newer strategies to determine realistically adoptable solutions.

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Portugal, drugs and decriminalisation

Kathleen Hawkins Hannah McNeish

June 18, 2019 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Portugal

In 2001, facing a 20-year opioid epidemic, Portugal decriminalized all personal drug use, meaning people carrying drugs for personal use could no longer face prosecution or jail. The approach, met with public support, offered people access to services like safe injection sites and counseling and showed demonstrable success in declining opioid related deaths, the spread of infectious diseases, and drug use all together. As the rest of the world faces a similar crisis, Portugal could be a model response.

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A tale of two cities: What Baltimore can teach Arizona about fighting fentanyl overdoses

Austen Bundy

April 16, 2019 |

Cronkite News - Arizona PBS |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

In 2018, Baltimore passed a harm-reduction bill that allowed the distribution of fentanyl testing strips to assess if fentanyl has been laced into drugs. The decriminalization of these follow similar harm reduction trends that allow for the distribution of safe syringes and naloxone. While proving effective in reducing drug overdoses, because such stigma is attached to addiction, states like Arizona are hesitant to implement such measures, even as advocates and experts call for it.

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Border communities refine tactics to deal with onslaught of fentanyl overdoses

Julian Hernandez

March 06, 2019 |

Cronkite News - Arizona PBS |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Nogales, Arizona

On the United States’ southern border, law enforcement are changing how they address drug overdoses. In places like Nogales, AZ, police are taking a public engagement approach, seeking to work with citizens to prevent overdoses, especially from fentanyl-laced drugs. They’re connecting more with the community, using foot patrol and knocking on doors, to gain more insight into the problem and how to prevent it.

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Switzerland couldn't stop drug users. So it started supporting them.

Taylor Knopf

January 21, 2019 |

North Carolina Health News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Switzerland

By prioritizing treatment over law enforcement, Switzerland dramatically reduced its drug problem. In 1994, the country adopted a progressive policy to treat heroin addiction as a public health crisis, focusing on harm reduction, treatment, and prevention in addition to traditional law enforcement. The policy, which embraces medicated-assisted treatment and universal access to services, helped greatly reduce issues such as the incidence of HIV, drug overdoses, and deaths over the long-term.

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How Vancouver is saving addicts' lives

Jeremy Cooke

January 08, 2019 |

BBC |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia

Rather than treat opioid users like criminals, Vancouver has deemed it a public health crisis. The city, especially its downtown east side, witnessed 1,500 deaths in just one year from opioid use. Its approach is unique and multi-pronged – making Narcan, an overdose antidote, available to everyone, opening safe injection sites, and having a police presence – without arrests – on blocks where using remains high.

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As legal cannabis comes to Canada, communities welcome accompanying job boom

Sara Miller Llana

September 19, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Canada, Kincardine, Ontario

In Canada, where the legalization of marijuana will become official in mid-October, some towns are gearing up by creating employment opportunities related to the now burgeoning industry. The so-called "green rush" is expected to lift up a new class of entrepreneurs and investors, but there are still many unknowns that might hinder success.

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Is medical marijuana the antidote to Lebanon's trade deficit?

Rebecca Collard

August 22, 2018 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

Multi-Media |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Lebanon, Bekka Valley

The Lebanese parliament has started considering whether to legalize cannabis for medical use. The move would raise much-needed funds and create state-sanctioned jobs, according to McKinsey consulting firm. The government has tried to combat the hashish industry in Bekka Valley for decades.

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Beyond the Stigma: Optimism on NH's opioid front line

Shawne K. Wickham

July 18, 2018 |

New Hampshire Union Leader |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Manchester, New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, many actors are participating to coordinate solutions to the opioid crisis. Among the most effective solutions are training physicians to help patients manage pain without opiates, helping patients wean off opiates, and maintaining rapid response teams to respond to potential overdoses.

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