20161207es-0101

Portugal, Lisbon. 2016-12-07. Drug addicts have a shot in the basement of the abandoned swimming pool in the neighbourhood of Casal Ventoso. A Decriminalisation Law was introduced in 2011, based on the assumption that the drug user is a citizen that needs support in the health and social areas. Users are not brought to court and do not incur to imprisonment and do not get a criminal record. As a result, drug use has shown a sharp decline as well as HIV related diseases. Drug trafficking and trade continues to be a serious offence.