A new Portuguese law eliminates jail time for possession or use of small amounts of any illegal drug and instead sends drug users to a panel of experts, who provide assistance.

Jail sentences have been replaced with mandatory counseling or treatment and possibly community service or a fine of up to 30,000 escudos, about $130. The panels consist of a psychologist, a social worker and a legal adviser, who decide what action to take.

The new approach is drawing fierce criticism, especially from conservative politicians who argue that a wave of foreign ''drug tourists'' will head for Portugal. ''We are offering sun, beaches and any drug you like,'' said Paulo Portas, leader of the conservative Popular Party.

Still, in shifting the focus of the police anti-drug efforts to traffickers instead of users, Portugal's Socialist government has joined a European trend toward treating users as victims who need help, not punishment.