Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/170879 
Year of Publication: 
2017
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 10895
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
This paper investigates the impact of drug decriminalization in Portugal using the Synthetic Control Method. The applied econometric methodology compares Portuguese drug-related variables with the ones extracted from a convex combination of similar European countries. The results suggest that a policy change implemented in Portugal contributed to a decrease in the number of heroine and cocaine seizures, a decrease in the number of offenses and drug-related deaths, and a decrease in the number of clients entering treatment. Moreover, the policy change contributed to a reduction in the incidence of drug addicts among HIV individuals.
Subjects: 
drug decriminalization policy
illicit drugs
synthetic control method
JEL: 
C21
D04
K42
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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