Portugal’s focus on treating drug addicts with dignity and empathy has had a profound impact. By investing in treatment and harm reduction practices, the country has reduced the social cost of drug misuse and decreased the incarceration rate for drug-related offenses. Providing opioid-substitution therapy has been a crucial part of the strategy, significantly increasing people seeking help for their addiction. Portugal’s success in this area provides valuable lessons for other countries struggling with addiction epidemics.