Twenty years ago Portugal decriminalized all drugs as part of a bigger national strategy to fight addiction. Last month Oregon became the first U.S. state to do the same, in a policy modeled off Portugal’s approach — but many questions about how success may translate remain unanswered.

Ep. 54: Translating Portugal’s Approach to Drugs and Addiction

The final episode of the Undark Podcast was published in August, 2022, capping nearly five years of audio journalism and discussion. We appreciate your interest in exploring the intersection of science and society with us during that time, and hope you’ll continue to visit undark.org, where you'll find our rich mix of in-depth investigations, news features, essays, op-eds, and multimedia journalism.

Science

This month: Some regions of the deep ocean contain vast amounts of key minerals, like cobalt and nickel, that are needed to power clean energy technologies. But some scientists warn that mining them could have tremendous consequences, not just for underwater ecosystems, but for the planet as a whole.

Ep. 63: For Deep Ocean Mining, Questions Abound

This month: Twenty-six years after the end of the Bosnian War, farmers in Livno are once again making cheese the traditional way, grazing herds of sheep on the wide-open plains. The animals' return is restoring natural wetlands, leading to cascading impacts on the environment and the economy.

Ep. 62: Restoring Landscapes and Livelihoods in Western Bosnia

For scientists who come from abroad to live and work in America, accents can be personal. It's discouraging to be misunderstood, even when they think they’re speaking clearly. Sometimes, it could even be a career liability. Is the problem the accent, or those on the receiving end?

Ep. 61: When Accents Speak Louder Than Words

Residents of Lebanon's Beqaa Valley say pollution in the Litani River is responsible for a host of chronic health problems. While a causal link is hard to prove, cleanup efforts are precarious amid the country's economic crisis and shifting blame between refugees and government inaction.

Ep. 60: Shifting Blame Over Water Pollution

Alkaline hydrolysis is an end-of-life option that’s gaining popularity in Canada and the U.S. It’s marketed as a greener form of cremation — a way to still end up with ashes, but without sending harmful emissions into the air. But getting the technology approved by lawmakers has proven difficult.

Ep. 54: Translating Portugal’s Approach to Drugs and Addiction

Download our free app to listen on your phone