How do Britain's drug laws compare to other countries?

The British government says it won't ever completely decriminalise drugs. But has it worked for other countries?

Portugal

In 2001, Portugal became the first European country to completely abolish criminal penalties for personal drug possession. Drug users were also provided with therapy rather than prison sentences.

Within five years, research showed drug-related deaths had halved, the number of people seeking help for addictions doubled, HIV infections dropped and drug use among teenagers had declined.

Switzerland

Although drugs remain illegal, Switzerland was one of the first countries to try heroin-assisted treatment such as administering injections of pure medical heroin in place of the heroin substitute methodone. Three pilot trials are currently taking place in the UK to see if this is effective at reducing illicit drug use.

United States

The states of Colorado and Washington have now legalised the use and sale of marijuana providing suppliers have a licence. Many states have decriminalised marijuana possession while some allow the drug for medical use only. The UK is monitoring the outcomes of these trials over the next few years.

America also has more than 2,500 drug courts which allow people charged with drug related offences the option of pleading guilty and entering a rehab programme rather than going to prison.

Canada and Australia also adopted a similar court system. It was piloted in the UK but was found to have no impact on reoffending rates.

Denmark

Reports suggest Denmark is considering decriminalising drugs altogether but over the past few years it has experimented with several ways to combat their drug problem.

In July 2012, following a 10-year debate, the country legalised drug consumption rooms, which allow drug users to consume illegal substances they have bought outside in a supervised clinical environment. This has helped reduce the risks to drug users and cut down on public nuisance. Canada, Greece and Switzerland also run similar clinics.

However, the UK does not experience public drug use on the same level as other countries so will not be following suit.

Japan

To reduce reoffending Japan operates a strictly drug-free rehab programme for prison inmates rather than weaning them off drugs. However, most addicts there are hooked on methamphetamine, more commonly known as crystal meth rather than crack and heroin in Europe. Studies found the programmes were just as effective as community based recovery programmes.

Spain

Needle-exchange programmes are in use in prisons as an effective way to reduce the transmission of blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis and HIV. Germany and Switzerland also offer similar schemes but this could not be implemented in the UK as the current law prohibits drugs paraphernalia being used in prisons.

Holland

Known for its coffee shops in Amsterdam, cannabis has been decrimalised in the Netherlands for almost four decades but much of it is still grown illegally. Amsterdam mayor Eberhand van der Laan has admitted they have a "back door problem" as the law still prevents the Dutch from growing large quantities of drugs for sale. Magic mushrooms also used to be legal but were banned in 2008 after a number of people died while under the influence.

New Zealand

Legal highs are regulated in New Zealand and can be bought and sold from licensed premises as long as the producers prove their products are safe. The UK is currently considering legislative options for legal highs.