Portugal decriminalises personal drug use

The Portuguese Parliament has passed a law decriminalising some forms of drug use.

Under the new law the consumption and possession of small amounts of illegal drugs will no longer be treated as a crime.

Users will instead be reported to a special commission responsible for ensuring they seek treatment.

The sale and trafficking of illegal drugs remain crimes under the new law.

The law was passed with the votes of the governing Social Democrats, and other left-of-centre parties, with the opposition Conservatives voting against the change. Italy and Spain have passed similar laws.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service