Portugal is not tightening it down based on data, but based on perceptions. A shift to populism reverting previous progressive changes proves nothing.

Also, we didn't experiment with permissiveness, we fixed a heroin crisis that was completely out of control. You have no idea how bad it got before we stopped throwing addicts in jail and started providing them with rehab.

Source: I've lived here all my life.

Portugal after having massive success with actually dealing with addictions is backing down because of the budget.