LISBON PARLIAMENT LEGALIZES DRUGS

LISBON - The Portuguese parliament voted Thursday to decriminalize the
consumption of illegal drugs such as cannabis and heroin and treat drug
users as people in need of medical help.

The ruling Socialist Party, which is one seat short of an outright
parliamentary majority, was backed in the vote by the Communist Party and
the small Left Bloc.

Until now, drug users and those caught in possession of small amounts of
banned drugs for personal use could be sentenced to up to one year in jail.