If you want to hear from the people who implemented the program itself, their thoughts and how successful they were, there are Portuguese language podcasts. Maybe OAI Whisper can translate them.
There's plenty of coverage in local media about the issues with the program. Many related to underfunding. Something like 80% less than it was in previous years, according to the comments in your HN link. The points I made - focus on public health - psychiatrists instead of jail - HIV transmission massively reduced - remain.
Thank you. Finally read it, and like I thought, it's completely incoherent with the idea that "The Portuguese are having second thoughts."
It's mostly a complaint piece by Porto mayor Rui Moreira. Joao Goulao, the actual architect of the program points to what actually happened.
"João Goulão — head of Portugal’s national institute on drug use and the architect of decriminalization — admitted to the local press in December that “what we have today no longer serves as an example to anyone.” Rather than fault the policy, however, he blames a lack of funding.
After years of economic crisis, Portugal decentralized its drug oversight operation in 2012. A funding drop from 76 million euros ($82.7 million) to 16 million euros ($17.4 million) forced Portugal’s main institution to outsource work previously done by the state to nonprofit groups, including the street teams that engage with people who use drugs."
If you want to hear from the people who implemented the program itself, their thoughts and how successful they were, there are Portuguese language podcasts. Maybe OAI Whisper can translate them.
There's plenty of coverage in local media about the issues with the program. Many related to underfunding. Something like 80% less than it was in previous years, according to the comments in your HN link. The points I made - focus on public health - psychiatrists instead of jail - HIV transmission massively reduced - remain.