February 22, 2025 • 16 mins
In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into Vancouver's catastrophic drug decriminalization program – a well-intentioned policy that has turned into a public health nightmare. Comparing Vancouver's approach with Portugal's successful model, we expose how good intentions can go terribly wrong.
Since the deciminalization drug overdose deaths have averaged over 2300 per year. Open drug use in parks, beaches, and outside hospitals. Families living in fear. This is the stark reality of Vancouver's drug policy experiment.
Join us as we unravel the critical differences between two approaches to drug decriminalization. Hear first-hand accounts from the Downtown and East Side, analyze expert reports, and understand why Portugal's strategy worked while Vancouver's failed spectacularly.
This is more than a policy discussion – it's a heart-wrenching exploration of how misguided compassion can destroy communities, and a crucial lesson in what happens when drug policy lacks a comprehensive support system.
Get ready for a shocking, provocative dive into the human cost of misguided drug policies.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Okay, so today we're diving into something pretty heavy, drug policies and how they actually play
(00:06):
out in the real world. We're going to be comparing what's going on in Vancouver with
Portugal's approach and we've got some really fascinating sources to work with today.
First of all, we have your red-red rights report called A Tale of Two Policies, which
gives us a pretty good overview of these two different approaches. And then we also have
Brandon Buckingham's first-hand account of what's happening on the ground in Vancouver's downtown
(00:30):
east side. And we've got a CBC News video that sort of analyzes the policy changes that are
happening in British Columbia. Yeah, it's interesting to see these two places, right,
both Vancouver and Portugal. They both decriminalized drugs, but the results, I mean,
they've been just drastically different. I mean, just looking at Vancouver, you know,
(00:51):
they had a record 2,511 overdose deaths in 2023 alone. Wow. And then you look at Portugal and
they're seeing something like six deaths per million people. Yeah, that's a huge difference. Huge.
So your read-write really tries to dig into why that is. Yeah. And one of the things that they
point to is Portugal's focus on treating addiction like a health issue, not like a criminal one.
(01:18):
Yeah. And so they have this system where treatment is available to anybody who needs it. It seems
like that's one of the places Vancouver might have tripped up a bit. Yeah. You know, they
decriminalized possession of small amounts of hard drugs, you know, heroin, fentanyl. Right.
But they didn't put a really strong treatment system in place first. Yeah. So while the goal
(01:39):
might have been to get people to look for help, you know, to encourage that, they're just,
there's not enough support available for those who need it. And your read-write points out that
this has led to some pretty troubling consequences. Oh, yeah. One of which is that, you know, open
drug use has just become rampant in Vancouver. Right. Even in places you wouldn't really expect it.
Yeah. Like parks, beaches, even outside of hospitals. Yeah. And Brandon Buckingham's video
(02:05):
from the downtown east side, it really, you know, it shows that reality. He interviews residents and
some of the stories they tell, they're pretty hard to hear, you know. Yeah. It seems like this
normalization of drug use, it's created a real sense of fear and anxiety, especially for families
with young kids. It's a tough situation because on the one hand, you have this goal of wanting to
(02:28):
reduce the stigma and to treat addiction like a health issue. But then on the other hand, you
have these really legitimate safety concerns that are affecting, you know, the entire community.
And that's another big difference between Vancouver and Portugal. Yeah.
Portugal, they have zero tolerance for public drug use. Oh, wow. So while they decriminalize,
(02:50):
you know, having drugs for personal use, they understand that it's important to keep public
spaces safe, you know, keep things orderly. So your read-write is making this pretty compelling
argument that even though Vancouver's approach is well-intentioned, it might not be the best way
to reduce harm. Yeah. They point out that having easy access to drugs while it might prevent some
(03:12):
overdose deaths, it could also be a trigger for people who are trying to get better, trying to
recover. Absolutely. Yeah. And the CBC video we have, it goes into some of those unintended
consequences of British Columbia's policies. They talk about how healthcare workers are really
strained by this, especially paramedics and emergency room staff. I mean, they're just
overwhelmed with these overdose calls. It's a lot to take in. And I think, you know, Vancouver's
(03:38):
experiment with the decriminalization has really shown us just how complicated this issue is.
Oh, for sure. And the human cost, you know, it can't be ignored. Yeah. 2,511 deaths in a single
year. It's a tragedy. It makes you wonder if harm reduction, you know, is it actually saving lives
or is it, in some cases, is it making addiction last longer? That's a really tough question.
(04:01):
Yeah. You know, speaking of tough, I think we need to get into the financial side of this as well.
You know, because on the surface, decriminalization, it sounds like you would save money.
Right. You know, because you're not spending as much on policing and putting people in jail.
Right. But the year raid, right, report suggests that there are all these hidden costs. Yeah.
The strain on healthcare, on emergency services, on community resources, it's enormous. Yeah.
(04:27):
And they ask this really interesting question, you know, could Vancouver use that same model
that they used for legalizing cannabis to fund treatment and prevention programs for these
harder drugs? It's a good question. I mean, the cannabis legalization, at least in Vancouver,
it seems like it's made a lot of money. Yeah. So could they use that same framework to help with
(04:49):
the financial burden of the opioid crisis? It's something to think about. And it shows that we
need to be creative, you know, look for different ways to approach this. Yeah. Because what's clear
is what we're doing now isn't working. Definitely not. So let's change gears a little bit and look
at how all of this is affecting families. We've talked a bit about parents being worried about
(05:09):
seeing drug use out in the open. Yeah. But your read, write goes deeper than that. You know,
they talk about how it's affecting kids. Right. And they highlight how kids in Vancouver are
getting used to seeing drug use. Like it's just normal. It's just part of life. Yeah. And that's,
you know, worrying because, you know, might they try it themselves when they're older?
Right. Yeah. That's a big concern. Yeah. And it's heartbreaking to think about,
(05:32):
you know, and then there's, there's this train on families where someone they love is,
is dealing with addiction. Of course. You know, the emotional burden, the financial burden,
the social burden, it's, it's huge. It's immense. Yeah. And read, write, they paint a really, really
bleak picture of how addiction can just tear families apart. Yeah. It reminds us that, you
know, behind all these, these policy discussions and statistics, there are real people, real families
(05:58):
who are going through incredibly tough times. Yeah. And I think it's really important to keep
that in mind as, as we continue talking about this. Absolutely. It's easy to get lost in the
numbers and the analysis, but we, we can't forget about the human cost of, of this crisis. You know,
as we, as we look at these different approaches, it, it really becomes clear that Vancouver and
(06:19):
Portugal, they have a totally different philosophy when it comes to this. Yeah. I'm really curious
about that. What, what do you see is the, the main difference between them? Well, it seems like
Portugal, they, they see addiction as this really complex social and health issue. Okay. You know,
they're not just saying, Oh, well, it's okay to have drugs. They've actually built a system
(06:39):
that encourages people to get treatment, to become part of society again. So it's not just about
reducing the bad stuff that happens, but actually giving people the tools to get better and, and
rebuild their lives. Exactly. Yeah. So they have these things called drug dissuasion commissions.
And these commissions, they operate completely outside of the criminal justice system. Oh,
interesting. And they connect people with, you know, doctors, social workers, even job counselors.
(07:03):
So they're really trying to get at the root of why people are using drugs in the first place.
That's, that's really different from just giving people clean needles or, or having those safe
consumption sites, which seems to be the main focus in Vancouver. Yeah. And, and harm reduction,
it definitely has its place, you know, especially when it comes to preventing overdoses and stopping
diseases from spreading. Right. But, you know, the question is, is that enough? Yeah. And you read,
(07:29):
rewrite, they make a really strong argument that harm reduction, it should be like a bridge to
recovery, not the end goal. Right. They're suggesting that maybe Vancouver is missing that next
crucial step. Yeah. You know, actually investing in, in treatment and support services that can
actually help people break free from addiction. And, and that's where Portugal's model really
(07:50):
stands out. They understand that just reducing the harm isn't enough. They've actually created a system
that helps people get better in the long run. You know, are we in Vancouver, are we actually
making the problem worse with our approach, even though we're trying to help? It's, it's definitely
worth thinking about. And it, it reminds me of something else you read, we write talks about,
the ethics of safe supply. Right. It's a, it's a controversial topic. Yeah. And I think we need
(08:11):
to be really open-minded when we discuss it. For sure. So the idea behind safe supply is, is to give
people who use drugs access to drugs that are pharmaceutical grade. So basically reducing the
risks that come with the illegal drug market, you know, where the drugs are unregulated and often
contaminated. Right. The hope is that if we can offer a safer option, we can prevent overdoses,
(08:34):
stop diseases from spreading, and maybe even encourage people to get treatment. Makes sense.
But some people worry that safe supply might actually make addiction worse. Yeah, I can see that.
Let's, let's dig a little deeper into the psychology of addiction. Yeah. One of the things
that keeps coming up in our sources is, is this idea that drugs, especially fentanyl,
(08:57):
they basically hijack the brain's reward system. And that, that's really key to understanding
why addiction is so hard to overcome. Right. It's not just a matter of, of willpower or, or making
the right choices. It's about real changes that happen in the brain. Yeah. Changes that affect
how we feel, pleasure, motivation, and even our ability to control ourselves. You know, our sources,
(09:20):
they talk about how drugs like fentanyl, they flood the brain with dopamine and dopamine is,
is that chemical that makes us feel good, feel rewarded. Yeah. Yeah. And it creates this, this
this, this really intense feeling of euphoria and that can be super addictive. But the problem is,
over time, the brain gets used to all that dopamine and it doesn't feel the effects as much anymore.
(09:41):
Right. It needs more and more of the drug to get that same high. Yeah. So people end up needing
more and more of the drug just to feel normal. Yeah. It's like their brain is rewired to crave
that dopamine rush more than anything else. And that's where cues come in. The brain starts to
to connect the drug with certain people, places, even emotions. Right. So if someone's trying to get
(10:03):
better and they come across one of those triggers, it can, it can send them right back to using.
It makes recovery so much harder because it's not just about getting the drug out of your system,
it's about rewiring the brain, breaking those really strong connections. And that's where therapy,
counseling, support groups, they become so important. Absolutely. Because they can help
(10:23):
people learn how to cope, identify those triggers and, and build a network of support. Yeah. It's
about replacing those harmful patterns with healthy ones, finding ways to manage stress and challenges
that don't involve drugs. And one of the most important things for recovery, which our sources
really emphasize, is creating a meaningful life without drugs. Yeah. Finding new passions,
(10:46):
reconnecting with loved ones, building a sense of purpose that has nothing to do with substance
use. It's about finding those things that bring you joy and make life worth living. So being sober
isn't just something you tolerate. It's something you actually want. Exactly. And this brings us
to another important point that your read-we-write brings up the role of community in recovery.
(11:07):
Yeah, we, we're social creatures. We need connection, belonging, support, especially when
we're going through tough times, like trying to get over addiction. Our sources talk about how
important it is to have supportive relationships, whether it's through formal support groups,
family, friends, mentors, right, people who can offer encouragement, keep you accountable,
and just, just be there for you practically. And support groups in particular, they provide
(11:30):
this safe space where people can share their experiences without judgment, connect with others
who understand what they're going through and find strength and inspiration in each other's stories.
Okay. I want to, I want to go back to something we touched on earlier, the comparison between
how Vancouver is handling drug policy and what Portugal is doing. Okay. Your rewrite really
goes into this, and I think it's worth looking at in more detail. Yeah, Portugal's model,
(11:52):
it's, it's so different from Vancouver's. And their success in reducing the harm from drugs
is undeniable. Yeah. Since they decriminalized all drugs back in 2001, they've seen a huge
drop in overdose deaths, HIV infections, and overall drug use. And they've done all this
without creating the kind of open drug scene that we're seeing in Vancouver. So, so what are they
(12:13):
doing that's so different? Well, one big difference is their philosophy, Portugal, they see drug addiction
as this complex problem. It's social, it's about health, and it needs a response that
tackles it from all sides. So it's not just about harm reduction, but also about dealing with the
social and economic issues that lead people to use drugs in the first place. Exactly. Yeah. For
(12:36):
example, their drug dissuasion commissions, they work outside the criminal justice system. Okay.
They connect people with a whole bunch of support services like healthcare, housing help, job training,
and social support. And they also don't tolerate any drug use in public, which helps keep things
safe and orderly. Right. It's about finding that balance between compassion and accountability.
(12:57):
They're not saying drug use is okay, but they're also not treating it like a crime. They're recognizing
that addiction is complex and needs a response that's both understanding and humane. And your
read way right argues that Vancouver could learn a lot from Portugal. Definitely. They believe the
city needs to move away from just focusing on harm reduction. Yeah. And start thinking about a more
(13:18):
holistic strategy, one that emphasizes treatment, prevention, and getting people back into society.
It's a complex issue, but Portugal shows us that a different approach can lead to positive,
lasting change. It's a model based on compassion, on being practical, and on really understanding
how complicated addiction is. And it's working. It's proof that there's hope. Thank you for joining
(13:41):
us for this deep dive into the complexities of drug policy and addiction. Yeah. We hope this
conversation has sparked some curiosity, made you question some things, and maybe even inspired you
to get involved in this really important issue. Absolutely. Until next time, keep exploring,
keep questioning. Thank you, Deb.
(14:26):
Can't find solid ground. Sugar town sorrow just keeps dragging me down.
So
(14:52):
little girl crying on the corner today. Daddy's eyes glazed over. He done lost his way.
She's learning lives bitter for she's even grown in this candy coated nightmare.
We all walk alone. Sugar town sorrow got me in its grip. Each sweet taste of poison is my final
(15:18):
trip. Drowning in molasses can't find solid ground. Sugar town sorrow just keeps dragging me down.
Down. Tried to kick this habit. Lord knows that I tried. But sugar towns got roots grown deep
inside friends and family gone. Left me here to fade in this sticky web of misery that I done made.
(15:49):
Another soul flew away to that sugar coated sky. Ain't nobody noticed.
Ain't nobody cry in the shadow of temptation where it all began. I'm just another broken
sugar crusted man. Sugar town sorrow got me in its grip. Each sweet taste of poison is my final trip.
(16:16):
Drowning in molasses can't find solid ground. Sugar town sorrow just keeps dragging me down.
As the sun sets on sugar town casting shadows long. I wonder if anyone will remember my song.
Just a bitter warning of a life gone wrong. In this sweet hell where I don't belong.
Okay, so today we're diving into something pretty heavy, drug policies and how they actually play
(00:06):
out in the real world. We're going to be comparing what's going on in Vancouver with
Portugal's approach and we've got some really fascinating sources to work with today.
First of all, we have your red-red rights report called A Tale of Two Policies, which
gives us a pretty good overview of these two different approaches. And then we also have
Brandon Buckingham's first-hand account of what's happening on the ground in Vancouver's downtown
(00:30):
east side. And we've got a CBC News video that sort of analyzes the policy changes that are
happening in British Columbia. Yeah, it's interesting to see these two places, right,
both Vancouver and Portugal. They both decriminalized drugs, but the results, I mean,
they've been just drastically different. I mean, just looking at Vancouver, you know,
(00:51):
they had a record 2,511 overdose deaths in 2023 alone. Wow. And then you look at Portugal and
they're seeing something like six deaths per million people. Yeah, that's a huge difference. Huge.
So your read-write really tries to dig into why that is. Yeah. And one of the things that they
point to is Portugal's focus on treating addiction like a health issue, not like a criminal one.
(01:18):
Yeah. And so they have this system where treatment is available to anybody who needs it. It seems
like that's one of the places Vancouver might have tripped up a bit. Yeah. You know, they
decriminalized possession of small amounts of hard drugs, you know, heroin, fentanyl. Right.
But they didn't put a really strong treatment system in place first. Yeah. So while the goal
(01:39):
might have been to get people to look for help, you know, to encourage that, they're just,
there's not enough support available for those who need it. And your read-write points out that
this has led to some pretty troubling consequences. Oh, yeah. One of which is that, you know, open
drug use has just become rampant in Vancouver. Right. Even in places you wouldn't really expect it.
Yeah. Like parks, beaches, even outside of hospitals. Yeah. And Brandon Buckingham's video
(02:05):
from the downtown east side, it really, you know, it shows that reality. He interviews residents and
some of the stories they tell, they're pretty hard to hear, you know. Yeah. It seems like this
normalization of drug use, it's created a real sense of fear and anxiety, especially for families
with young kids. It's a tough situation because on the one hand, you have this goal of wanting to
(02:28):
reduce the stigma and to treat addiction like a health issue. But then on the other hand, you
have these really legitimate safety concerns that are affecting, you know, the entire community.
And that's another big difference between Vancouver and Portugal. Yeah.
Portugal, they have zero tolerance for public drug use. Oh, wow. So while they decriminalize,
(02:50):
you know, having drugs for personal use, they understand that it's important to keep public
spaces safe, you know, keep things orderly. So your read-write is making this pretty compelling
argument that even though Vancouver's approach is well-intentioned, it might not be the best way
to reduce harm. Yeah. They point out that having easy access to drugs while it might prevent some
(03:12):
overdose deaths, it could also be a trigger for people who are trying to get better, trying to
recover. Absolutely. Yeah. And the CBC video we have, it goes into some of those unintended
consequences of British Columbia's policies. They talk about how healthcare workers are really
strained by this, especially paramedics and emergency room staff. I mean, they're just
overwhelmed with these overdose calls. It's a lot to take in. And I think, you know, Vancouver's
(03:38):
experiment with the decriminalization has really shown us just how complicated this issue is.
Oh, for sure. And the human cost, you know, it can't be ignored. Yeah. 2,511 deaths in a single
year. It's a tragedy. It makes you wonder if harm reduction, you know, is it actually saving lives
or is it, in some cases, is it making addiction last longer? That's a really tough question.
(04:01):
Yeah. You know, speaking of tough, I think we need to get into the financial side of this as well.
You know, because on the surface, decriminalization, it sounds like you would save money.
Right. You know, because you're not spending as much on policing and putting people in jail.
Right. But the year raid, right, report suggests that there are all these hidden costs. Yeah.
The strain on healthcare, on emergency services, on community resources, it's enormous. Yeah.
(04:27):
And they ask this really interesting question, you know, could Vancouver use that same model
that they used for legalizing cannabis to fund treatment and prevention programs for these
harder drugs? It's a good question. I mean, the cannabis legalization, at least in Vancouver,
it seems like it's made a lot of money. Yeah. So could they use that same framework to help with
(04:49):
the financial burden of the opioid crisis? It's something to think about. And it shows that we
need to be creative, you know, look for different ways to approach this. Yeah. Because what's clear
is what we're doing now isn't working. Definitely not. So let's change gears a little bit and look
at how all of this is affecting families. We've talked a bit about parents being worried about
(05:09):
seeing drug use out in the open. Yeah. But your read, write goes deeper than that. You know,
they talk about how it's affecting kids. Right. And they highlight how kids in Vancouver are
getting used to seeing drug use. Like it's just normal. It's just part of life. Yeah. And that's,
you know, worrying because, you know, might they try it themselves when they're older?
Right. Yeah. That's a big concern. Yeah. And it's heartbreaking to think about,
(05:32):
you know, and then there's, there's this train on families where someone they love is,
is dealing with addiction. Of course. You know, the emotional burden, the financial burden,
the social burden, it's, it's huge. It's immense. Yeah. And read, write, they paint a really, really
bleak picture of how addiction can just tear families apart. Yeah. It reminds us that, you
know, behind all these, these policy discussions and statistics, there are real people, real families
(05:58):
who are going through incredibly tough times. Yeah. And I think it's really important to keep
that in mind as, as we continue talking about this. Absolutely. It's easy to get lost in the
numbers and the analysis, but we, we can't forget about the human cost of, of this crisis. You know,
as we, as we look at these different approaches, it, it really becomes clear that Vancouver and
(06:19):
Portugal, they have a totally different philosophy when it comes to this. Yeah. I'm really curious
about that. What, what do you see is the, the main difference between them? Well, it seems like
Portugal, they, they see addiction as this really complex social and health issue. Okay. You know,
they're not just saying, Oh, well, it's okay to have drugs. They've actually built a system
(06:39):
that encourages people to get treatment, to become part of society again. So it's not just about
reducing the bad stuff that happens, but actually giving people the tools to get better and, and
rebuild their lives. Exactly. Yeah. So they have these things called drug dissuasion commissions.
And these commissions, they operate completely outside of the criminal justice system. Oh,
interesting. And they connect people with, you know, doctors, social workers, even job counselors.
(07:03):
So they're really trying to get at the root of why people are using drugs in the first place.
That's, that's really different from just giving people clean needles or, or having those safe
consumption sites, which seems to be the main focus in Vancouver. Yeah. And, and harm reduction,
it definitely has its place, you know, especially when it comes to preventing overdoses and stopping
diseases from spreading. Right. But, you know, the question is, is that enough? Yeah. And you read,
(07:29):
rewrite, they make a really strong argument that harm reduction, it should be like a bridge to
recovery, not the end goal. Right. They're suggesting that maybe Vancouver is missing that next
crucial step. Yeah. You know, actually investing in, in treatment and support services that can
actually help people break free from addiction. And, and that's where Portugal's model really
(07:50):
stands out. They understand that just reducing the harm isn't enough. They've actually created a system
that helps people get better in the long run. You know, are we in Vancouver, are we actually
making the problem worse with our approach, even though we're trying to help? It's, it's definitely
worth thinking about. And it, it reminds me of something else you read, we write talks about,
the ethics of safe supply. Right. It's a, it's a controversial topic. Yeah. And I think we need
(08:11):
to be really open-minded when we discuss it. For sure. So the idea behind safe supply is, is to give
people who use drugs access to drugs that are pharmaceutical grade. So basically reducing the
risks that come with the illegal drug market, you know, where the drugs are unregulated and often
contaminated. Right. The hope is that if we can offer a safer option, we can prevent overdoses,
(08:34):
stop diseases from spreading, and maybe even encourage people to get treatment. Makes sense.
But some people worry that safe supply might actually make addiction worse. Yeah, I can see that.
Let's, let's dig a little deeper into the psychology of addiction. Yeah. One of the things
that keeps coming up in our sources is, is this idea that drugs, especially fentanyl,
(08:57):
they basically hijack the brain's reward system. And that, that's really key to understanding
why addiction is so hard to overcome. Right. It's not just a matter of, of willpower or, or making
the right choices. It's about real changes that happen in the brain. Yeah. Changes that affect
how we feel, pleasure, motivation, and even our ability to control ourselves. You know, our sources,
(09:20):
they talk about how drugs like fentanyl, they flood the brain with dopamine and dopamine is,
is that chemical that makes us feel good, feel rewarded. Yeah. Yeah. And it creates this, this
this, this really intense feeling of euphoria and that can be super addictive. But the problem is,
over time, the brain gets used to all that dopamine and it doesn't feel the effects as much anymore.
(09:41):
Right. It needs more and more of the drug to get that same high. Yeah. So people end up needing
more and more of the drug just to feel normal. Yeah. It's like their brain is rewired to crave
that dopamine rush more than anything else. And that's where cues come in. The brain starts to
to connect the drug with certain people, places, even emotions. Right. So if someone's trying to get
(10:03):
better and they come across one of those triggers, it can, it can send them right back to using.
It makes recovery so much harder because it's not just about getting the drug out of your system,
it's about rewiring the brain, breaking those really strong connections. And that's where therapy,
counseling, support groups, they become so important. Absolutely. Because they can help
(10:23):
people learn how to cope, identify those triggers and, and build a network of support. Yeah. It's
about replacing those harmful patterns with healthy ones, finding ways to manage stress and challenges
that don't involve drugs. And one of the most important things for recovery, which our sources
really emphasize, is creating a meaningful life without drugs. Yeah. Finding new passions,
(10:46):
reconnecting with loved ones, building a sense of purpose that has nothing to do with substance
use. It's about finding those things that bring you joy and make life worth living. So being sober
isn't just something you tolerate. It's something you actually want. Exactly. And this brings us
to another important point that your read-we-write brings up the role of community in recovery.
(11:07):
Yeah, we, we're social creatures. We need connection, belonging, support, especially when
we're going through tough times, like trying to get over addiction. Our sources talk about how
important it is to have supportive relationships, whether it's through formal support groups,
family, friends, mentors, right, people who can offer encouragement, keep you accountable,
and just, just be there for you practically. And support groups in particular, they provide
(11:30):
this safe space where people can share their experiences without judgment, connect with others
who understand what they're going through and find strength and inspiration in each other's stories.
Okay. I want to, I want to go back to something we touched on earlier, the comparison between
how Vancouver is handling drug policy and what Portugal is doing. Okay. Your rewrite really
goes into this, and I think it's worth looking at in more detail. Yeah, Portugal's model,
(11:52):
it's, it's so different from Vancouver's. And their success in reducing the harm from drugs
is undeniable. Yeah. Since they decriminalized all drugs back in 2001, they've seen a huge
drop in overdose deaths, HIV infections, and overall drug use. And they've done all this
without creating the kind of open drug scene that we're seeing in Vancouver. So, so what are they
(12:13):
doing that's so different? Well, one big difference is their philosophy, Portugal, they see drug addiction
as this complex problem. It's social, it's about health, and it needs a response that
tackles it from all sides. So it's not just about harm reduction, but also about dealing with the
social and economic issues that lead people to use drugs in the first place. Exactly. Yeah. For
(12:36):
example, their drug dissuasion commissions, they work outside the criminal justice system. Okay.
They connect people with a whole bunch of support services like healthcare, housing help, job training,
and social support. And they also don't tolerate any drug use in public, which helps keep things
safe and orderly. Right. It's about finding that balance between compassion and accountability.
(12:57):
They're not saying drug use is okay, but they're also not treating it like a crime. They're recognizing
that addiction is complex and needs a response that's both understanding and humane. And your
read way right argues that Vancouver could learn a lot from Portugal. Definitely. They believe the
city needs to move away from just focusing on harm reduction. Yeah. And start thinking about a more
(13:18):
holistic strategy, one that emphasizes treatment, prevention, and getting people back into society.
It's a complex issue, but Portugal shows us that a different approach can lead to positive,
lasting change. It's a model based on compassion, on being practical, and on really understanding
how complicated addiction is. And it's working. It's proof that there's hope. Thank you for joining
(13:41):
us for this deep dive into the complexities of drug policy and addiction. Yeah. We hope this
conversation has sparked some curiosity, made you question some things, and maybe even inspired you
to get involved in this really important issue. Absolutely. Until next time, keep exploring,
keep questioning. Thank you, Deb.
(14:26):
Can't find solid ground. Sugar town sorrow just keeps dragging me down.
So
(14:52):
little girl crying on the corner today. Daddy's eyes glazed over. He done lost his way.
She's learning lives bitter for she's even grown in this candy coated nightmare.
We all walk alone. Sugar town sorrow got me in its grip. Each sweet taste of poison is my final
(15:18):
trip. Drowning in molasses can't find solid ground. Sugar town sorrow just keeps dragging me down.
Down. Tried to kick this habit. Lord knows that I tried. But sugar towns got roots grown deep
inside friends and family gone. Left me here to fade in this sticky web of misery that I done made.
(15:49):
Another soul flew away to that sugar coated sky. Ain't nobody noticed.
Ain't nobody cry in the shadow of temptation where it all began. I'm just another broken
sugar crusted man. Sugar town sorrow got me in its grip. Each sweet taste of poison is my final trip.
(16:16):
Drowning in molasses can't find solid ground. Sugar town sorrow just keeps dragging me down.
As the sun sets on sugar town casting shadows long. I wonder if anyone will remember my song.
Just a bitter warning of a life gone wrong. In this sweet hell where I don't belong.
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