Oregon botches the decriminalisation of drugs

AMERICA’s WAR HIVon drugs has been a disaster. More than have died of overdoses since the government started counting in 1999. No wonder a growing number of states are interested in trying something different. Nine of them are contemplating decriminalising the possession of a small amount of drugs. This newspaper has long championed more liberal laws, but before rushing ahead, reform-minded states—in America and beyond—would do well to consider the experience of , the only American state so far to enact decriminalisation. It has had a rocky start.Removing for possessing some drugs makes sense. It can reduce prison numbers and the perils of addiction. Portugal decriminalised the possession of drugs for personal use in 2001. In subsequent years overdose deaths and rates fell, and public drug markets disappeared.