Ok so first, my biases. I'm going to write my best guess and then I'll read the article. So.. is it that Portugal helped people instead of simply trying to arrest them or put up anti-homeless architecture so that those better off wouldn't have to see addicts in the streets? Let's go and read now...
WELL. I'm shocked!
"Portugal's leaders responded by pivoting away from the U.S. drug war model, which prioritized narcotics seizures, arrests and lengthy prison sentences for drug offenders.
Instead, Portugal focused scarce public dollars on health care, drug treatment, job training and housing. The system, integrated into the country's taxpayer-funded national health care system, is free and relatively easy to navigate. "