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<blockquote class="Quote"><div><strong class="bc-author">keithvanhorn</strong> said:</div><div>apples and oranges.  the argument is that the threat of a criminal penalty is a deterrent.   this discussion hasn't been about mandatory minimums or using forced drug treatment therapy as an alternative to jail.<br />
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	in fact, when someone brought up portugal, they failed to acknowledge that using drugs is still punishable by such mandatory treatment.<br />
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	again, the question is whether it should be a crime - not whether the sentencing guidelines are fair.  that would be an entirely different topic.</div></blockquote>
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	"Failed to acknowledge"?  I provided a link to an article which says this:  "Under the Portuguese plan, penalties for people caught dealing and trafficking drugs are unchanged; dealers are still jailed and subjected to fines depending on the crime. But people caught using or possessing small amounts???defined as the amount needed for 10 days of personal use???are brought before what's known as a "Dissuasion Commission," an administrative body created by the 2001 law.<br />
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	Each three-person commission includes at least one lawyer or judge and one health care or social services worker. The panel has the option of recommending treatment, a small fine, or no sanction."<br />
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	In other words the treatment isn't "mandatory."

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