International - Portugal

Basic Data

(Prevalence of Drug Use) "In 2007, alcohol and tobacco were the most widespread psychoactive substances used by the Portuguese population aged from 15 to 64. The most widespread illicit trade drugs were cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy (the prevalence’s of use at least once in lifetime were 11,7% for cannabis, 1,9% for cocaine and 1,3% for ecstasy). Use of other illicit drugs was less common, apart from heroin, which prevalence of use at least once in lifetime was 1,1%."

(Lifetime Prevalence of Drug Use) "Between 2001 and 2007, the use of any illicit substance increased from 7,8% to 12%. It means that 12 % of respondents, aged 15 to 64, had used an illicit drug at least once in their lives (lifetime prevalence).
"The most-reported substance in this context was cannabis (11,7 % lifetime prevalence). The use of other illicit drugs was less frequently reported. Lifetime prevalence was almost 2% for cocaine (1,9%), near 1% for ecstasy (1,2%) and heroin (1,1%), and less than 1% for amphetamines (0,9%), hallucinogenic mushrooms (0,8%) and LSD (0,6%)."

(Prevalence of Drug Use Among Youth) "In 2010, the results of the HBSC / WHO [Health Behavior of School-Aged Children/World Health Organization] showed again an increase in the prevalence of use (Graph 1) between 2006 and 2010, contrary to the decrease occurred between 2002-2006. As in 2006, cannabis, stimulants and LSD had in 2010 the highest prevalence of lifetime use (respectively 8.8%, 3.4% and 2%). Between 2006 and 2010 there were increases in the prevalence of lifetime use of various substances - particularly cannabis (from 8.2% to 8.8%) - as well as the prevalence of drug use in the last month (4.5% in 2006 and 6.1% in 2010).
"Although the increase of these prevalence’s of use are not considered statistically significant, they express a reversal of the decline occurred between 2002 and 20067 thus prompting the need for the reinforcement of preventive measures⁸."

(Age of Initiation) "In 2007, the average age of initiation in drug use varied substantially depending on the type of drug. In general terms, use of licit drugs began at a younger age: as was the case for tobacco and alcoholic drinks (17 years). Cannabis (18) was the illicit drug for which initiation of use at an earlier age was observed.
"The reverse was true for sedatives, for which use began later in life (34). In general terms use of other drugs was initiated between the ages of 20 and 22. Comparing with the results of 2001, the average age of initiation is the same for alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and heroin, and increased a year or two for the remaining substances."

(Youth Perceptions of Risk from Drug Use) "The analysis of risk perceptions shows that from 2003 to 2007, in general, there was an increase of those considering that there is a “high” risk in the drug use, either among “non users” or among “users”. Here, “non users” are those that never try any drug.
"In the case of cannabis, among non-users this increase is due mainly to the decrease in the percentage of those that didn’t know how to evaluate the risk; and among drug users that increase is due mainly to the decrease in the perception of “low” or “moderate” risk of use.
"Considering the perceptions of risk about cocaine use, the increase in the percentage of those considering “high” risk is due to the decrease of those saying they don’t know how to evaluate, either among “non users” or “users”.
"In both cases cannabis and cocaine (but also this was the case for the other drugs whose results are not presented here), there was a bigger increase in the risk perception as “high”, among drug “users” than among “non users”.
"The perceptions about the market, namely concerning the facility to the access to drugs, show that there was a decrease in the percentage of those saying that it is “very difficult” and a correspondent decrease among those saying that it is “very easy”.
"The beliefs about how difficult it would be to quit using cannabis after a regular use, among the older ones (16 to 18 age groups), change was found: in 2007 more students refer that it would be “very difficult” and less refer that it would be “easy”.

(Perceptions and Lifetime Prevalence by Gender and Age) "Gender differences concerning illegal drugs experimentation were found for all substances. A higher proportion of males than females had used these substances at least once (18.4 % vs 5.2 % for cannabis, 1.8 % vs 0.4 % for heroin and 3.2 % vs 0.7 % for cocaine).
"The use of illicit drugs is more frequent among the youngest (15-34 years old), especially in the age group 25-34 years.
"A significant proportion of the population perceives a relatively low risk attached to these types of behaviour: take five or more drinks on the weekend; smoke one or more pack of cigarettes per day; and smoke hashish/marijuana regularly.
"In 2001, the Portuguese population perceived the access to substances in a 24-hour period as more difficult than in 2007.
"Finally and comparatively with studies results from other European countries, we can state that, even being the national results the most recent European results, Portugal remains among the countries with the lowest prevalence of use for most of the substances, with the exception of heroin, where Portugal shows higher prevalence’s."

(Lifetime Prevalence Compared with Other EU Nations) "For the period 2001–2005, Portugal—for the 15–64 age group—has the absolute lowest lifetime prevalence rate for cannabis, the most used drug in the EU. Indeed, the majority of EU states have rates that are double and triple the rate for postdecriminalization Portugal (see Figures 15 and 16).⁶⁸
"Similarly, for usage rates of cocaine (the second-most commonly used drug in Europe) for the same period and the same age group, only five countries had a lower prevalence rate than the Portuguese rate. Most EU states have double, triple, quadruple, or even higher rates than Portugal’s, including some with the harshest criminalization schemes in the EU."

(Youth Alcohol Use Compared to Other Nations) "In all ESPAD countries but one, 70% or more of the students have drunk alcohol at least once during their lifetime. The ESPAD average is 87% (range: 56–98%). The highest rates of lifetime alcohol prevalence (above 95%) are found in the Czech Republic and Latvia. There is one ESPAD country that stands out with a low figure, namely Iceland, but the proportion is actually the same (56%) in the United States (not an ESPAD country). Other countries with relatively low rates (below 80%) include Montenegro, Norway, Portugal, Romania and Sweden."

(Drug Offense Numbers and Trends) "In 2010, concerning the administrative sanctions for drug use⁴⁵, Commissions for the Dissuasion of Drug Use (CDT) instated 7,315 processes⁴⁶, representing a slight decrease (-3.1%) in comparison to last year, most of which were, again, referred by the Public Security Police (PSP), National Republican Guard (GNR) and Courts.
"From the 4,435 rulings made, 84% suspended the process temporarily, 14% were punitive rulings and 2% found the presumed offender innocent.
"The number of presumed offenders was very similar to last year (6,320 in 2010 and 6,348 in 2009), registering these last two years the highest value since 2002. Continues the trend manifested through the decade of the predominance of presumed offenders in the possession of cannabis and the increased visibility of the number of presumed offenders in the possession of cocaine (the values registered in the last two years at the level of cannabis and cocaine were the highest since 2002), and in the case of heroin the values of the last two years were the highest ones since 2003, thus oppose, the stability occurred between 2006 and 2008, the downward trend verified in the first half of the decade.
"In the context of judicial decisions under the Drug Law, in 2010, 1,483 crime processes were finalised involving 2,040 individuals, 1,770 were convicted, 78% for traffic, 20% for use and 2% for traffic-use. To be noted the increase in the proportion of individuals convicted for use from 2008, related to the judicial precedent on situations for own use in superior amount than the required for the average individual use during a period of 10 days."

(Offenses by Type of Drug)
"• In relation to 2009, decreases were verified in the number of processes on cannabis (-9%), increases were verified in the number of processes for all the other drugs, namely the processes involving several drugs (+19%), involving only heroin (+19%) and the processes involving only cocaine (+7%).
"• As in previous years, most cases involved only one drug (93%): Mainly cannabis (71%) - 76% in 2009, 68% in 2008 and 64% in 2007 14% of these processes involved only heroin (11% in 2009, 14% in 2008 and 17% in 2007). 7% involved only cocaine (8%, 6% and 8%, respectively in 2009, 2008, 2007); The predominance of occurrences involving only cannabis was found in all CDTs [Commissions for Disuasion of Drug Use].
"• For the 7% processes involving more than one drug (6% in 2009, 10% in 2008 and 2007), the association heroin-cocaine was again predominant, and like in the last six years, the association cocaine-cannabis surpassed the association heroin-cannabis."

(Drug Offender Sentencing and Number of Inmates) "As occurred in 2004, and contrarily to previous years, prevailed once more in 2010, the application of the suspended prison (48%) instead of effective prison (29%) in the convictions under Drug Law. To be noted also the increase in the number of convicted with effective fine, mainly applied to persons convicted for use. Similarly to previous years, the majority of these convictions were related to only one drug, maintaining the predominance of cannabis by the eight consecutive years and a higher number of convictions by possession of cocaine in relation to heroin by the fifth consecutive year, consolidating the trend verified in previous years of the increase visibility of cocaine in these convictions.
"Prison data indicates that, on the 31st of December 2010, 1,950 (-4% than in 2009 with 2,026) individuals were in prison for crimes against the Drug Law, representing a decrease of 4% in relation 2009 and reinforcing the continuous downward trend registered over the decade. Was also reinforced the trend initiated in 2000 of the decrease weight of these prisoners in the universe of prisoners convicted, representing at 31/12/2010 near 21% of this population. The majority of these individuals where convicted for traffic (90%), 8% for minor traffic and 2% for traffic-use, values similar to last year."

(Drug Offenses Post-Decriminalization) "Decriminalization seems to have taken some pressure off of the Portuguese criminal justice system. In 2000, approximately 14,000 people were arrested for drug-related crimes in Portugal.¹⁵¹ This number dropped to an average of 5,000 to 5,500 people per year after decriminalization.¹⁵² The number of people that the police have cited for administrative drug use offenses has also remained constant at about 6,000 per year.¹⁵³ Therefore, there has not been a great surge in contact between drug offenders and the Portuguese police after decriminalization.¹⁵⁴"

(Estimated Number of Problem Drug Users) "Results from national estimations on problematic drug use in Portugal indicate that there are between 6.2 and 7.4 problematic drug users for each 1,000 inhabitants aged 15-64 years, and between 1.5 and 3.0 for injecting drug users.
"Between 2000 and 2005, the estimate number of problematic drug users in Portugal has shown a clear decline, with special relevance for injecting drug users."

(Trends in HIV/AIDS and Injection Drug Use) "According to 31/12/2009 notification data (analytical tests) from the National Health Institute Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA, I.P.), the decreasing trend concerning the percentage of drug users in the total number of notified HIV positive cases since 1993 continues to be reported. From the 39 347 notifications received since 1983, near 41% (42% in 2009 and 2008, 44% in 2007 and 45% in 2006) were drug use related. Considering the different stages covered by these notifications, 46% of the AIDS cases, 34% of Symptomatic Non-AIDS cases and 37% of the asymptomatic carriers cases were drug use associated, confirming the proportional downward trend in this group in the different stadiums of the infection."

(Trends in HIV/AIDS Related to Injection Drug Use) "Taking only 2010, from the notified cases of HIV diagnosed at 31/12/2010, the cases associated to drug addiction represented 15% of the total diagnosed cases in the different stadiums of the infection: 25% of the AIDS cases, 7% Symptomatic Non-AIDS and 9% of the asymptomatic carriers cases.
"There has been a downward trend in last years on the weight of drug addicts, in the total number of cases diagnosed each year with HIV infection (15%, 15%, 20% and 22%, of the cases diagnosed in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007), as in the cases diagnosed each year with AIDS (25%, 25%, 28% and 31% of the cases diagnosed in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007). In addition to the decreasing trend of these proportions, it is worth of notice the continuous decrease over the past few years in the number of new cases diagnosed with HIV associated with drug addiction, safeguarding the future update of data (149 cases diagnosed in 2010, 387 in 2008, 521 in 2006 and 662 in 2004)."

(Drug-Related Mortality) "With regard to drug-related deaths in the context of general registries of the INE, I.P.36, although the numbers remain low, since 2006 there has been an increase in the number of these deaths, contrary to the downward trend observed in previous years, which may be a reflect of the increase in the number of deaths and of the methodological improvements on the general mortality registries.
"According to the EMCDDA criteria in 2009 were registered 27 cases of drug-related deaths, representing an increase of 35% in comparison to 2008 (20 cases). The values registered in 2009, were the highest since 2003, but inferior to the ones registered in 2002 (year when ICD-10 was implemented in Portugal).
"In 2009³⁷, the predominant causes of these deaths were disorders (63%): multiple dependence or other, cause that include polydrug use. Vast majority of these deaths (above 84%) were from the male gender and belong to the age group of 25-44 years (81%).
"Concerning the information on specific mortality registries related with drug use from the INML, I.P., it is important to contextualize within some indicators related to the activity of this Institute.
"In 2010, despite the number of autopsies performed by INML, I.P. (6,635) decreased in relation to last year (-3%), the number of requests for post-mortem toxicological exams (illicit substances) (3,185), showed the highest values of the decade, representing an increase of 8% in relation to previous year and 92% in relation to 2004. The number of cases with positive toxicological results increased as well in relation to 2009 (+10%), maintaining stable the percentage of positivity in the set of exams made (9%, 9%, 11% and 12% respectively in
2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007)."

(Disease and Mortality Trends Since Decriminalization) "In 1999, a few years prior to decriminalization, Portugal had the highest number of drug-related AIDS cases in the European Union and the second highest prevalence of HIV among drug-infected users.¹²⁷ The number of drug-related AIDS cases was also increasing, even though the number was decreasing in neighboring France, Spain, and Italy.¹²⁸ Research suggests that drug-related disease has declined in Portugal after decriminalization. Incidences of HIV and AIDS among drug users declined substantially.¹²⁹ The number of tracked cases of Hepatitis C and B in treatment centers also declined, despite the fact that many more drug users sought treatment after decriminalization took effect.¹³⁰
"Drug-related mortality in Portugal has also declined since decriminalization. During the 1990s, the number of drug-related deaths multiplied tenfold.¹³¹ Between 1999 and 2003, however, there was a significant drop in drug-related deaths within the country.¹³² Drug policy experts credit this decline to the increasing number of heroin users who entered substitution treatment programs after decriminalization.¹³³"

(Decrease in Drug-Related Deaths Post-Decriminalization) "In absolute numbers, drug-related deaths from 2002 to 2006 for every prohibited substance have either declined significantly or remained constant compared with 2001. In 2000, for instance, the number of deaths from opiates (including heroin) was 281. That number has decreased steadily since decriminalization, to 133 in 2006 (see Figure 11).⁵⁶
"As is true for drug usage rates, these postdecriminalization decreases were preceded by significant increases in drug-related problems in Portugal throughout the 1990s. Throughout the predecriminalization 1990s, the number of acute drug-related deaths increased every year, increasing more than tenfold from 1989 to 1999, reaching a total of almost 400 by 1999 (see Figures 12 and 13).⁵⁷
"The total number of drug-related deaths has actually decreased from the predecriminalization year of 1999 (when it totaled close to 400) to 2006 (when the total was 290)."

(Drug Use Trends Since Decriminalization) "Contrary to critics’ expectations, available research does not indicate that drug use has skyrocketed in Portugal since decriminalization. Drug use seems to have increased within certain subgroups, and declined within other subgroups. Between 2001 and 2007, lifetime and past-year drug usage slightly increased among Portuguese adults for almost all illicit substances. Conversely, lifetime usage rates slightly declined for teenagers.¹²⁰ These trends are consistent with drug use trends in Italy and Spain.¹²¹ Therefore, changes in drug use in Portugal may reflect regional trends, not changes due to decriminalization.¹²²
"Existing research suggests that there is one significant trend that may be attributed to decriminalization in Portugal. Since Portugal decriminalized drug use in 2001, the prevalence of problematic drug use (“PDU”),¹²³ especially intravenous drug use, has declined.¹²⁴ This trend is inconsistent with trends in Italy and Spain, where PDU has increased.¹²⁵ This dissimilarity suggests that decriminalization may have reduced the most harmful forms of drug use in Portugal.¹²⁶"

(Treatment Availability and Number of Clients) "In 2010, 47 outpatient treatment centres were working in mainland Portugal as well as 32 decentralised consultation units. These centres provide both drug free and medically assisted treatment.
"Inpatient units are usually a second step of the process, as most clients of detoxification units and therapeutic communities are referred to those units by their therapists. In detoxification units, medically assisted withdrawal treatment is available, whereas in therapeutic communities most, though all, available programs are drug free (in some cases patients can enter with agonist medication and stop it in the therapeutic community). Inpatient drug free treatment is mainly available in public and private therapeutic communities.
"In 2010, there were 69 therapeutic communities (3 public and 66 private units) in mainland Portugal. The number of clients in therapeutic communities increase 6% in comparison to last year (3 601 in 2009, 3 385 in 2008 and 3 167 in 2007), consolidating the grown of last years.
"In 2010 there were 13 Detoxification Units (4 public and 9 private units). The number of clients (2 446) in detoxification units decrease 9% in comparison to last year (2 676)."

(Characteristics of Treatment Clients) "Clients in Outpatient treatment were mainly from the male gender (85% to 86%), aged 25-34 (32% to 35%) and 35-44 (28% to 34%), varying the mean age between 32 and 34 years old depending on the structure.
"Continue to be predominantly Portuguese (93% to 99%) and single (58% to 64%). Most living with family, predominantly cohabitation with the family of origin (38% to 41%) or with the family based (19% to 23%). In general, these populations remain with low qualifications (54% to 56% did not complete the third Cycle of Basic School) and precarious labour situations (47% to 50% were unemployed)."

(Number of People Entering Treatment for the First Time) "The number of individuals in first treatment for 2010, 6,233 includes 3,120 are Drug Users, 1,568 are individuals with alcohol problems and 1,545 are individuals with tobacco problems (50), 38 with other addictions (internet, game), the remaining (1,457) includes drug users families, children and youth in risk, drug users children, and individuals from indicated prevention appointments."

(Syringe Exchange Activity) "47,470,531 syringes have been exchanged through this [national syringe exchange] program since October 1993 and until December of 2010 (ANF2010). In 2010, 2,057,497 syringes were exchanged representing a 13% decrease in relation to previous year (2,365,821).
"These syringes are included in a kit with 2 syringes, 2 ampoules of bi-distilled water, 2 acid citric packages, 2 condoms, 1 filter and 2 disinfecting towels and 1 informative leaflet. (For more information see Standard Table 10 - syringe availability).
"Responses to Health Correlates and Consequences
"As regards the available material, in addition to syringes, were distributed to the participants on the National Syringe Exchange program, around 325,232 ampoules of distilled water, 446,959 wipes, 297,824 filters, 277,857 containers, 314,714 acid citric packages and 447,799 condoms.
"Between October 1993 and December 2010 were distributed 47,470,531 syringes by all the entities involved in the National Syringe Exchange program. The number of syringes exchanged increased progressively till 1997, with some fluctuations in the following years. From 2005 has been registered a downward trend in the number of syringes exchanged."

(Syringe Exchange Through Mobile Units and Pharmacies) "From the beginning of the program till know [sic] 3,767,145 syringes were exchanged by Mobile Units (in several places, such as Casal Ventoso, Curraleira, Cova da Moura, Bairro de Santa Filomena and Odivelas), 11,380,024 by partnerships and 32,323,362 by pharmacies.
"In 2010, 1,336 pharmacies (1,360 in 2009, 1,384 in 2008 and 1,314 in 2007) were active in this program (48% of the existing pharmacies in the country, 48% in 2009, 50% in 2008 and 48% in 2007)."

(Effects of Decriminalization) "In the Portuguese case, the statistical indicators and key informant interviews that we have reviewed suggest that since decriminalization in July 2001, the following changes have occurred:
"• small increases in reported illicit drug use amongst adults;
"• reduced illicit drug use among problematic drug users and adolescents, at least since 2003;
"• reduced burden of drug offenders on the criminal justice system;
"• increased uptake of drug treatment;
"• reduction in opiate-related deaths and infectious diseases;
"• increases in the amounts of drugs seized by the authorities;
"• reductions in the retail prices of drugs.
"By comparing the trends in Portugal and neighbouring Spain and Italy, we can say that while some trends clearly reflect regional shifts (e.g. the increase in use amongst adults) and/or the expansion of services throughout Portugal, some effects do appear to be specific to Portugal. Indeed, the reduction in problematic drug users and reduction in burden of drug offenders on the criminal justice system were in direct contrast to those trends observed in neighbouring Spain and Italy. Moreover, there are no signs of mass expansion of the drug market in Portugal. This is in contrast with apparent market expansions in neighbouring Spain."

Laws & Policies

(Development of Portugal's Drug Strategy) "Despite increasing efforts by the government during the 1990s, the Portuguese drug situation continued to be problematic, especially in the areas of heroin addiction and HIV transmission. In 1998, the government appointed the Commission for the National Strategy to Fight against Drugs, with the mandate to produce a report with guidelines for the ‘fight against drugs and drug addiction’, namely on the topics of prevention, treatment, social reinsertion, training, research, risk reduction and supply control (Dias, 2007).
"The Commission had nine members, including five recognised (legal or health) experts/researchers in the drugs area, two from the relevant public bodies in the Health and Justice Ministries, a representative of the office of the minister in charge of drugs policy (Assistant Minister of the Prime Minister) and an independent and internationally recognised researcher with no previous direct links to drug policy, who chaired the Commission.
"The Commission made use of its broad mandate and delivered its report to Parliament the same year. The report included comprehensive recommendations for 12 different areas of drug policy (international cooperation, legal framework, prevention, treatment, harm reduction, prisons and drugs, rehabilitation, supply reduction and money laundering, research and training, civil society, coordination and financial resources). It also recommended the decriminalisation of personal drug use.
"The Parliamentary Committee on Drugs unanimously approved the report and, one year later, the Council of Ministers formally approved its content, which became the 1999 National Strategy for the Fight Against Drugs (Portuguese Government, 1999). It remains the foundation of today’s drug policy in Portugal."

(Broadened Drug Control Strategy) "In 2010, the key issue regarding Portugal national policy on drugs was the restructuring of the National Coordination Structure for the Fight on Drugs and Drug Addiction.
"Following the endorsement of the national Plan for the Reduction of Alcohol Related Problems, the Inter-ministerial Council approved the enlargement of the National Coordination Structure for the fight against of drugs and drug addiction but rather encompassing drugs, drug addiction and alcohol related problems being therefore designed National Coordination Structure for Drugs, Drug Addiction and Alcohol Related Problems (Decree-Law 40/2010 of 28 April 2010).
"In consequence, the composition of the collective organs of the National Coordination structure were revised and added representatives of the different ministries and of the economical and marketing sector of wine."

Law 30/2000 – Decriminalisation
"The new law of 2000 maintained the status of illegality for using or possessing any drug for personal use without authorisation. However, the offence changed from a criminal one, with prison a possible punishment, to an administrative one. The procedure and mechanism for dealing with such offences also changed and is now dealt with under an administrative procedure. When a person is caught in possession of no more than 10 daily doses of drugs (their corresponding gram limits had already been established in a regulation), and the police have no suspicions or evidence that supply offences are involved, the drug will be seized. The case will then be transmitted to the Commission for the Dissuasion of Drug Abuse (CDT), of which there is one in each of Portugal’s 18 districts. The CDT is composed of three members appointed by the Ministries of Justice and Health (the member appointed by the Ministry of Justice has to be a legal expert, the other two usually being a health professional and a social worker), and is supported by a small team of practitioners who will have similar backgrounds to the members. These practitioners meet the offender and evaluate his/her situation and then, based on the case assessment, the CDT hears the offender and rules on the offence, aiming to treat any addiction and rehabilitate the person using the most appropriate interventions.
"Several options are available to the CDT when ruling on the drug use offence, including warnings, banning from certain places, banning from meeting certain people, obligation of periodic visits to a defined place, removal of professional licence or firearms licence. Sanctioning by fine, which may vary by drug involved, is an available option (though not for addicts) but it is not the main objective in this phase. Users found in possession of more than 10 daily doses will be prosecuted in court for a criminal consumption offence.
"The implementation of the decriminalisation framework showed that in 2009 the majority of CDT rulings (68%) were for provisional suspension of the process, for users who were not considered addicted. A further 15% were provisionally suspended with an agreement to undergo treatment. Some 14% were punitive rulings, comprising 4% fines and 10% non-pecuniary sanctions (mainly requiring periodic attendance in a place selected by the CDT). In total, 76% of these processes involved cannabis alone, 11% heroin, and 6% cocaine; the remaining 6% were polydrug users, predominantly combining heroin and cocaine."

(Portugal's National Drug Control Strategy) "This strategy specifies eight principles, which embody a set of values that should guide interventions in this area. ‘Humanism’, for example, is the recognition of the inalienable human dignity of citizens, including drug users, and translates into a commitment to offer a wide range of services to those in need and to adopt a legal framework that causes no harm to them. ‘Pragmatism’ calls for the adoption of solutions and interventions that are based on scientific knowledge, while ‘Participation’ calls for the involvement of the community in drug policy definition and implementation.
"This strategy also puts forward a set of 13 strategic options to guide public action in the drugs field: reinforce international cooperation; decriminalise (but still prohibit) drug use; focus on primary prevention; assure access to treatment; extend harm reduction interventions; promote social reintegration; develop treatment and harm reduction in prisons; develop treatment as an alternative to prison; increase research and training; develop evaluation methodologies; simplify interdepartmental coordination; reinforce the fight against drug trafficking and money laundering; and double public investment in the drugs field.
"These principles and strategic options, which are the foundations of the current drug policy in Portugal, were first implemented through the National Action Plan for the Fight Against Drugs and Drug Addiction — Horizon 2004 (IDT, I.P., 2001). The plan, adopted in 2001, introduced 30 primary objectives related to the increase and improvement of drug-related interventions and to the reduction of drug use, risk behaviours and drug-related harms. The Action Plan had also, for the first time, an associated budget, set according to national priorities and distributed by the entities in charge of its implementation. When the plan was conceived in 1999, drug-related public investment was expected to increase by 10 % every year between 1999 and 2004, reaching EUR 159 615 327 in its last year. An external evaluation carried out a few years later (see below) concluded, however, that it was not possible to assess whether the planned budgetary objectives were effectively attained."

(Decriminalization Law) "The main drug law in Portugal is Decree Law 15/93 of 22 of January, which defines the legal regime applicable to trafficking and consumption of narcotic drugs and psychoactive substances.
"The Portuguese legal framework on drugs changed on November 2000 with the adoption of Law 30/2000. The decriminalisation of consumption and possession for own use of substances is no longer a crime, but constitutes an administrative offence, sentenced with penalties whose main purpose is the dissuasion of the consumption. According to the Decriminalisation Law, the offences are no more judged in court; they are submitted to the Commissions for the Dissuasion of Drug Use (CDT), especially created for this purpose. There are Commissions all over the country and in the Autonomous Regions of Madeira and Azores. These Commissions, which main objective is the dissuasion of consumption, hear all the users, found in possession or using drugs, whether in a public place, in prison, or being judged by other crimes. However, a person caught in possession of a small quantity of drugs for personal use (established by law, this shall not exceed the quantity required for an average individual consumption during a period of 10 days), without any suspicion of being involved in drug trafficking, will be evaluated by the Commission, composed of a lawyer, a doctor and a social worker (see chapter 9.2 for data on administrative offences).
"This law reinforces the resources in the context of demand reduction by sending to treatment drug addicts and pointing out those that are not addicted but need a specialized intervention. With this Law, we expect to contribute to the resolution of the problem in an integrated and constructive way, looking at the drug addict as a sick person, who nevertheless must be responsible for a behaviour that is still considered an offence in Portugal."

(US Perception of Portugal's Decriminalization) "Portugal decriminalized drug use for personal consumption in 2001. The law makes the "consumption, acquisition, and possession of drugs for personal use" a simple administrative offense. Although overall drug use in Portugal remains roughly stable and below the EU average, "problem" drug use and HIV rates among drug users are above the EU norm. Under the decriminalization law, drug users identified by law enforcement agencies are referred to the Drug Addiction Dissuasion Commission, consisting of multi-disciplinary teams that assess users and decide the most appropriate sanction and referral to educational or treatment programs. The Portuguese Ministry of Health‘s Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction (IDT) operates 66 drug treatment centers nationwide. The IDT also has several initiatives to combat drug use and addiction. Prevention programs include training sessions, awareness-raising activities, and dissemination of information through printed material. Universal drug prevention is part of the Portuguese school curriculum. In addition, in the ―Safe Schools‖ program, law enforcement agents patrol the areas surrounding schools to prevent and protect students from criminal activities such as drug trafficking in the surrounding area. Law enforcement also actively participates in awareness and training activities."

(Syringe Exchange) "Prevention of drug-related infectious diseases amongst problematic drug users is mainly ensured through the national syringe exchange program “Say no to a second hand syringe”, established by the National Commission for the Fight Against AIDS (CNLCS) in collaboration with the National Association of Pharmacies (ANF), with the aim to prevent HIV transmission between intravenous drug users through the distribution of sterilized material and the collection and destruction of the materials used by IDUs.
"Over the years the program was adjusted according to the evolution needs of IDUs and harmonization of procedures among the various partners.
"Since it was set up, in October 1993, it has been using the national network of pharmacies and has enlarged its partner network through protocols with mobile units, NGOs and other organisations in order to reach a wider population (49 partners in 2010 and 2009 and 36 in 2008). This program was externally evaluated in 2002 (as reported in previous National Reports) and it was concluded that it had avoided 7,000 new HIV infections per each 10,000 IDU at that time of existence of this program."

(Laws and Penalties for Trafficking Offenses) "Drug traffic is defined by chapter III art. 21 of the Decree Law 15/93: ‘traffic and other illicit activities’. Producing, offering, selling, preparing or cultivating illicit drugs are, among others, the classic offences constituting drug traffic. It must be mentioned that the same article expressly excludes drug use offences foreseen by article 40 of the same decree law.
"Portuguese law differentiates prosecution of drug traffic according to several criteria. The nature of the substance is one of the main criteria. Trafficking in substances included in the lists I to III attract a sentence of between 4 and 12 years of imprisonment, while substances in list IV (tranquilliser and analgesic) may be punished by between 1 and 5 years in prison.
"The state of addiction of the trafficker is also taken into account by art. 26 of Decree Law 15/93. If the user sells drugs to finance his own consumption (‘addict-trafficker’), the penalty is reduced: Lists I, II, III up to 3 years (instead of 4-12) - list IV up to 1 year (instead of 1-5).
"The ‘traffic of minor importance’, being defined by article 25, is also considered at the prosecution. In cases in which the crime can be defined as minor, according to the circumstances, modalities of the crime, quantity and nature of the substances, the penalties will be substantially reduced; between 1 and 5 years’ imprisonment (lists I to III) and up to 2 years or fine (list IV).
"Of course the law foresees also aggravating circumstances by which the minimum and maximum penalties for traffic can be increased by ¼ in all cases. Criminal association envisages 10-25 years. Traffic of precursors attract penalties up to 12 years of imprisonment and the abandonment of syringes is fined or punished by up to 1 year of imprisonment."