Document Type
Research Paper
Publication Date
4-24-2026
Year of Award
2026
Date Assignment Submitted
2026
Abstract
The opioid epidemic in the United States is a persistent public health issue exacerbated by increasingly dangerous and potent synthetic opioids. Although there are growing levels of access to naloxone and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) as well as growing numbers of overdose-related deaths, these data indicate that U.S. drug policy continues to be characterized by a primarily reactive and partially punitive framework. This study will compare the U.S. drug policy model to that of Portugal, which fully decriminalized all illicit drugs in 2001, shifting from a national drug policy based on punishment and repression to one focused on preventing the consumption of drugs, treating those who do consume them, and reducing the risks associated with the use of drugs. Utilizing a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature, this study evaluates the structural, economic, and social consequences of each of the two approaches. Data collected indicate that while the U.S. has developed effective and meaningful responses to emergency overdose situations, the continuing reliance upon the criminal justice system for addressing drug issues and inequitable access to treatment have limited the capacity of the U.S. to achieve long-term harm reduction. In contrast to this, the public health-centered model implemented in Portugal has generated a significantly lower number of deaths due to overdose, fewer cases of problematic drug use, and a greater degree of acceptance of those with substance use disorder. The science-based policies to improve treatment for substance use disorders, with continued investment into treatment infrastructure, will be expected to produce a larger and longer-lasting improvement in public health compared to punitive enforcement strategies.
Publisher
Lynn University
Conference/Symposium
Lynn University Student Research Symposium
Contest
Research Paper
City/State
Boca Raton, FL
Department
College of Arts and Sciences
Instructor
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Joanna Sackel
Recommended Citation
Dillon, Ciara, "The Opioid Crisis in the United States vs. Portugal’s Public Health Approach" (2026). Student Publications and Presentations. 221.
https://spiral.lynn.edu/studentpubs/221
