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Drug Decriminalization and the Price of Illicit Drugs

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  • Félix, Sónia

    (Banco de Portugal)

  • Portugal, Pedro

    (Banco de Portugal)

Abstract

This study is an empirical assessment of the impact of the drug decriminalization policy followed by Portugal in July, 2001. We investigate especially the impact of the policy change on the price of illicit drugs. The analysis is performed using a difference-in-differences approach and a comprehensive set of countries as control group. We also investigate the application of Synthetic Control Method in order to construct a synthetic control unit from a convex combination of other countries. The results suggest that the prices of opiates and cocaine in the post-treatment period did not decrease in the sequence of the policy change. This result contrasts with the argument that softer drug law enforcement necessarily leads to lower prices and, consequently, to higher drug usage rates and dependence.

Suggested Citation

  • Félix, Sónia & Portugal, Pedro, 2015. "Drug Decriminalization and the Price of Illicit Drugs," IZA Discussion Papers 8848, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp8848
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Félix, Sónia & Portugal, Pedro & Tavares, Ana, 2017. "Going after the Addiction, Not the Addicted: The Impact of Drug Decriminalization in Portugal," IZA Discussion Papers 10895, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    illicit drugs; drug decriminalization policy; drug prices; treatment effects;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • D04 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Policy: Formulation; Implementation; Evaluation

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