Portugal
Subsections:
Page last updated Nov. 9, 2020 by Doug McVay, Editor and Senior Policy Analyst.
1. Portuguese Legal Framework On Drugs "The main drug law in Portugal is Decree Law 15/93 of 22 January 1993, which defines the legal regime applicable to the trafficking and consumption of narcotic drugs and psychoactive substances. Law 30/2000, adopted in November 2000 but in place since July 2001, decriminalised consumption, acquisition and possession of drugs for personal consumption. "A regulation sets out maximum amounts of drugs in grams, these amounts being estimates of the average required for 10 days’ consumption. A person caught using or possessing less than the maximum amount of a drug for personal use, where there is no suspicion of involvement in drug trafficking, will be evaluated by the local Commission for Dissuasion of Drug Addiction, composed of three members, two being medical doctors, psychologists, sociologists or social workers and the third being a legal expert. Punitive sanctions can be applied, but the main objectives are to explore the need for treatment and to promote healthy recovery. "Drug trafficking may incur a sentence of 1-5 or 4-12 years’ imprisonment, depending on specific criteria, one of which is the nature of the substance supplied. The penalty is reduced for users who sell drugs to finance their own consumption. "Decree Law 54/2013 prohibits the production, export, advertisement, distribution, sale or simple dispensing of new psychoactive substances (NPS) named in the list accompanying the Decree Law and sets up a control mechanism for NPS. Administrative sanctions, including fines of up to EUR 45 000, can be imposed for offences under this law, while a person caught using NPS but who is not suspected of having committed another offence is referred to the local Commission for European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (2019), Portugal, Country Drug Report 2019, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg. |
2. Portugal's Drug Strategy "The Portuguese National Coordination Structure for Drugs, Drug Addiction and Alcohol-Related Problems comprises a number of bodies. The interministerial Council for Drugs, Drug Addiction and Alcohol-Related Problems has overall responsibility for the endorsement, coordination and evaluation of drug policy. It is chaired by the prime minister and consists of ministers from all relevant areas (currently 13) and the national drug coordinator. It is supported by the Interministerial Technical Commission, chaired by the national coordinator and composed of representatives designated by the different ministers. Its main function is to design, monitor and evaluate the national plan and support action plans on illicit substances and alcohol. The General-Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (SICAD), attached to the Ministry of Health, supports the national strategy’s implementation, through planning and evaluating demand reduction interventions, and provides technical and administrative support to the Commissions for Dissuasion of Drug Addiction. SICAD is the EMCDDA’s national focal point in Portugal; the SICAD General-Director is the National Coordinator for Drugs, Drug Addiction and Alcohol-Related Problems." European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (2019), Portugal, Country Drug Report 2019, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg. |
3. Drug Use Prevalence in Portugal "The most recent general population survey shows that cannabis remains the most frequently used illicit substance in Portugal, followed by MDMA/ecstasy and cocaine. Use of illicit substances is more common among young adults (aged 15-34 years). The available data indicate an increase in last year and last month cannabis use during the period 2012-16, mainly among those aged between 25 and 44 years. "In 2017, the third edition of the Survey on Addictive Behaviours among people aged 18 years took place; young people participating in the National Defence Day were surveyed. Cannabis was the substance with the highest prevalence of use. A slight decrease in the prevalence of cocaine use relative to previous years was observed. "Lisbon, Almada and Porto participate in the Europe-wide annual wastewater campaigns undertaken by the Sewage Analysis Core Group Europe (SCORE); 2018 data are not available for Porto, however. This study provides data on drug use at a municipal level, based on the levels of illicit drugs and their metabolites found in wastewater. The results indicate an increase in cocaine and MDMA use in Lisbon between 2013 and 2018, and the use of these substances seems to be more common in Lisbon than in Porto or Almada (in 2016 and 2017). Moreover, in all locations the presence of these substances in wastewater was higher at weekends than on weekdays. In 2018, amphetamine and methamphetamine levels detected in the two cities remained low, indicating very limited use of these substances in these cities." European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (2019), Portugal, Country Drug Report 2019, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg. |
4. Changes in Lifetime Prevalence of Substance Use in Portugal, 2007 to 2012 "Between 2007 and 2012 in the set of the Portuguese population there was a general decrease in lifetime prevalence6 (any illicit drug from 12% to 9.5%) and recent use (any illicit drug from 3.7% to 2.7%), with the exception of ecstasy and LSD, whose lifetime prevalence remained the same and LSD use in last 12 months increased slightly. "Among the young adult population was also found a generalized decrease in lifetime prevalence use (any illicit drug from 17.4% to 14.5%) and in the last 12 months (any illicit drug from 7% to 5.1%) except in the case of LSD where lifetime prevalence remained the same and recent use increased slightly. "Emphasis is both in total population and in young adult population, in addition to declines in the prevalence of cannabis use, while most used substance, also of heroin, cocaine and amphetamines. "Regarding continuity rates of consumption, i.e., the proportion of individuals having used a certain substance during lifetime prevalence, declare having used that substance in the last 12 months, as expected, the young adult population presented rates (35.2 % for any illicit drug) higher than the general population (28.1% for any illicit drug) for all drugs considered. "In 2012, it is verified that the higher continuity rates of consumption are LSD and cannabis, is important, especially in the case of LSD which is the only substance that presents slight increases in the prevalence of use." General-Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (SICAD), "2014 National Report (2013 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2014), pp. 26-27. |
5. Prevalence of Drug Use Among Young People In Portugal "The most recent data on drug use among students were reported in the 2015 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD). Lifetime use of cannabis and other illicit substances among Portuguese students was slightly lower than the European average (based on data from 35 countries), with lifetime use of new psychoactive substances much lower than the average. Similarly, use of cigarettes in the last 30 days was just below the European average and alcohol use and binge drinking in the last 30 days were much lower than the average. Lifetime use of cannabis showed an increase in the 2003 survey, but it has remained relatively stable since, as indicated in the three subsequent surveys." European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (2019), Portugal, Country Drug Report 2019, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg. |
6. Prevalence of Drug Use Among Youth in Portugal, 2011 "In the context of school populations, the results of national studies have shown that the use of drugs that had been increasing since the 90’s declined for the first time in 2006 and 2007, noting up in 2010 and 2011 again an increase of drug use in these populations, alerting to the need for investment in prevention. In all studies carried out in 2010 and 2011, cannabis remains the drug preferentially used (prevalence of lifetime use ranged from 2.3% in students from 13 years old and 29.7% in 18 years old), with values close to the prevalence of use of any drug (between 4.4% in students of 13 years and 31.2% in 18 years). Followed by prevalence of lifetime use far below, cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines among younger students, and amphetamines, LSD and ecstasy among the older ones. Despite the increases registered in the prevalence of drug use between 2006/2007 and 2010/2011 especially cannabis but also other drugs such as LSD and amphetamines, the prevalence’s of use of any drug among younger students (13-15 years) remain lower than the ones registered in 2001/2003." General-Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (SICAD), "2013 National Report (2012 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2013), p. 7. |
7. Age of Initiation of Drug Use in Portugal "With regard to the ages of initiation of use, and focusing on the younger age group (15-24 years) where the probality of initiation use is higher, cannabis presents the earliest values, with an average age of 17 years and modal age 16 years, followed by ecstasy and hallucinogenic mushrooms with modal ages of 17 years and amphetamines with modal age of 18 years. Cocaine, heroin and LSD present later average and modal ages of initiation of use. Between 2001 and 2012, in the age group 15-24, there is a slight delay of the ages of initiation of use for most substances." General-Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (SICAD), "2013 National Report (2012 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2013), p. 34. |
8. Perceptions of Risk from Drug Use Among Youth In Portugal "According to the results of the Flash Eurobarometer – Youth attitudes on drugs held in 2011 among young Europeans of 15-24 years, the perceptions of health risk associated with the use of drugs varied according the substances and the frequency of their use. General-Diretorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (SICAD), "2013 National Report (2012 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2013), p. 36. |
9. Lifetime Prevalence of Use in Portugal 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 Greenwald, Glenn, "Drug Decriminalization in Portugal: Lessons for Creating Fair and Successful Drug Policies, Cato White Paper," CATO Institute (Washington, DC: 2009), p. 22. |
10. Perceptions and Lifetime Prevalence by Gender and Age In Portugal "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). Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction, I.P., "2012 National Report (2011 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2012), p. 26. |
11. Youth Alcohol Use in Portugal 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." Björn Hibell, et al., "The 2011 ESPAD Report: Substance Use Among Students in 36 European Countries" (Stockholm, Sweden: The Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and other Drugs (CAN), The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), and the Council of Europe, Co-operation Group to Combat Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Drugs (Pompidou Group), May 2012), p. 68. |
12. Drug Offense Numbers and Trends in Portugal 2012 "In 2012 concerning the administrative sanctions for drug use40, the 18 Commissions for the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction (CDT) based in every capital district of Continental Portugal instated 8,573 processes41, representing the highest value since 2001 and an increase of 24% in comparison to 2011, most of which were, again, referred by the Public Security Police (PSP), National Republican Guard (GNR) and Courts. "From the 7,394 rulings made, 82% suspended the process temporarily, 15% were punitive rulings and 3% found the presumed offender innocent. "The number of presumed offenders was very similar to last year registering these last four years the highest values 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 presumed offenders in the possession of cocaine (the values registered in the last four years for cannabis and cocaine were the highest since 2002). In the case of heroin, after the downward trend verified in the first half of the decade, followed by a stability and a peak in 2009, it’s verified again a decrease in the number of presumed offenders. Concerning the number of presumed offenders in the possession of several drugs, the value registered in 2012 is the lowest since 2001, contrasting the stability trend occurred since 2006 (with a punctual peak in 2010). "In the context of judicial decisions under the Drug Law, in 2012, 1 616 crime processes were finalised involving 2,376 individuals, the vast majority were accused of traffick (88%). Near 86% were convicted and 14% were acquitted. "Concerning the sanctions applied in these convictions, mostly related with trafficking crimes, such as occurred in 2004 and contrary to previous years, these convictions involved mainly suspended prison (48%) instead of effective prison (31%). To refer specially since 2009, the increase of convicted only sentenced with an effective fine, predominantly applied to convictions related with consumption. Similarly to previous years, the majority of these convictions were related to only one drug, maintaining the predominance of cannabis by the tenth consecutive year and a higher number of convictions by possession of cocaine in relation to heroin by the seventh consecutive year, consolidating the trend verified in previous years of the increase visibility of cocaine in these convictions." General-Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (SICAD), "2013 National Report (2012 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2013), p. 92. |
13. Lifetime, Past-Year, and Past-Month Prevalence of Use of Selected Substances in Portugal, 2001 and 2007
Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction, I.P., "2012 National Report (2011 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2012), Table 1, pp 23-24. |
14. Criminal Offenses in Portugal 2012, by Type of Drug "Concerning the substances involved: General-Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (SICAD), "2013 National Report (2012 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2013), p. 95. |
15. Drug Offender Convictions and Sentencing in Portugal 2012 "Of the 2 051 convicted individuals under the Drug Law (2,041 in 2011, 770 in 2010, 1,684 in 2009, 1,392 in 2008 and 1,420 in 2007), 80% were convicted for traffic, 19% for use and 1% for traffic-use. The focus goes to the increase in the proportion of individuals convicted by use since 2008, related with the fixation of case law on situations for own use in superior amount than the required for the average individual use during a period of 10 days (Supreme Court of Justice n. o 8/2008, of 5 August). Indeed, in 2012, in about 74% of convictions for use was made express reference to this Judgment (76%, 75% and 84%, respectively of the convictions for use in 2011, 2010 and 2009). General-Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (SICAD), "2013 National Report (2012 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2013), pp. 101-103. |
16. 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" Woods, Jordan Blair, "A Decade after Drug Decriminalization: What can the United States learn from the Portugese Model?" University of the District of Columbia Law Review (Washington, DC: The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, 2011) Volume 15, Number 1, p. 23. |
17. Estimated Number of Problem Drug Users in Portugal
"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. General-Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (SICAD), "2013 National Report (2012 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2013), p. 73. |
18. Trends in HIV/AIDS and Injection Drug Use in Portugal "Taking only 2011, from the notified cases of HIV diagnosed at 31/12/2011, the cases associated to drug addiction represented 10% of the total diagnosed cases in the different stadiums of the infection: 17% of the AIDS cases, 8% Symptomatic Non-AIDS and 6% of the asymptomatic carriers cases. Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction, I.P., "2012 National Report (2011 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2012), pp. 74-75. |
19. Trends in HIV/AIDS Related to Injection Drug Use in Portugal "According to 31/12/2011, 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 continues to be reported. From the 41,035 notifications received since 1983, near 39% (41% in 2010, 42% in 2009 and 2008, 44% in 2007 and 45% in 2006) were drug use related. Considering the different stages covered by these notifications, 45% of the AIDS cases, 33% of Symptomatic Non-AIDS cases and 35% of the asymptomatic carriers cases were drug use associated, consolidating the proportional downward trend in this group in the different stadiums of the infection." Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction, I.P., "2012 National Report (2011 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2012), p. 73. |
20. Disease and Mortality Trends in Portugal 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 Woods, Jordan Blair, "A Decade after Drug Decriminalization: What can the United States learn from the Portugese Model?" University of the District of Columbia Law Review (Washington, DC: The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, 2011) Volume 15, Number 1, pp. 20-21. |
21. Drug-Related Mortality in Portugal 2011 "According to the EMCDDA protocol in 2011 were registered 10 cases of drug-related deaths, representing the lowest value since 2006 and a decrease of 62% in relation to 2010. Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction, I.P., "2012 National Report (2011 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2012), p. 79. |
22. Decrease in Drug-Related Deaths in Portugal 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 Greenwald, Glenn, "Drug Decriminalization in Portugal: Lessons for Creating Fair and Successful Drug Policies, Cato White Paper," CATO Institute (Washington, DC: 2009), p. 17. |
23. Drug Use Trends in Portugal 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 Woods, Jordan Blair, "A Decade after Drug Decriminalization: What can the United States learn from the Portugese Model?" University of the District of Columbia Law Review (Washington, DC: The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, 2011) Volume 15, Number 1, pp. 19-20. |
24. 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. Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction, I.P., 2011 National Report (2010 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point, “PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2011), p. 60. |
25. Decriminalization Reduces Problematic Drug Use "The information we have presented adds to the current literature on the impacts of decriminalization. It disconfirms the hypothesis that decriminalization necessarily leads to increases in the most harmful forms of drug use. While small increases in drug use were reported by Portuguese adults, the regional context of this trend suggests that they were not produced solely by the 2001 decriminalization. We would argue that they are less important than the major reductions seen in opiate-related deaths and infections, as well as reductions in young people’s drug use. The Portuguese evidence suggests that combining the removal of criminal penalties with the use of alternative therapeutic responses to dependent drug users offers several advantages. It can reduce the burden of drug law enforcement on the criminal justice system, while also reducing problematic drug use." Hughes, Caitlin Elizabeth and Stevens, Alex, "What can we learn from the Portugese decriminalization of drugs?" British Journal of Criminology (London, United Kingdom: Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, November 2010), Vol. 50, Issue 6, p. 1018. |
26. Characteristics of Treatment Clients in Portugal 2011 "2011 national first treatment demand data concerned 5,960 individuals from the outpatient public network centres (78) from these population only 2,265 are Drug Users, this year for the second time it was possible to have TDI data fully in line with EMCDDA TDI Protocol (see also Standard Table 34). Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction, I.P., "2012 National Report (2011 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2012), p. 70. |
27. Opioid Substitution Therapy in Portugal 2011 "A survey made each year on the 31st of December 2011 allows differentiation in terms of substances involved in this type of treatment. Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction, I.P., "2012 National Report (2011 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2012), pp. 71-72. |
28. Syringe Exchange Activity in Portugal 2012
"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. General-Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (SICAD), "2013 National Report (2012 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2013), p. 78. |
29. Syringe Exchange Through Mobile Units and Pharmacies in Portugal 2011 "From the beginning of the program till know 3,817,192 syringes were exchanged by Mobile Units (in several places, such as Casal Ventoso, Curraleira, Cova da Moura, Bairro de Santa Filomena and Odivelas), 12.308.326 by partnerships and 32.995.964 by pharmacies. Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction, I.P., "2012 National Report (2011 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2012), p. 89. |
30. 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: Hughes, Caitlin Elizabeth and Stevens, Alex, "What can we learn from the Portugese decriminalization of drugs?" British Journal of Criminology (London, United Kingdom: Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, November 2010), Vol. 50, Issue 6, p. 1017. |
31. Development of Portugal's National Plan for the Reduction of Addictive Behaviors and Dependences
"The National Plan for the Reduction of Addictive Behaviors and Dependences 2013-2020, (PNRCAD), appears in the sequence of an end of cycle of the National Plan Against Drug and Drug Addictions 2005-2012 (PNCDT) and the redefinition of policies and health services. General-Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (SICAD), "2013 National Report (2012 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2013), p. 22. |
32. Changes in Portugal's Drugs Monitoring Agencies "The current economic crisis that Europe is experiencing, with direct implications on our country, led to the adoption of measures of rationalization and containment of public expenditure, which resulted in the reduction of human and financial resources compromising the performance of the mission of IDT, I.P. Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction, I.P., "2012 National Report (2011 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2012), pp. 16-17. |
33. 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. "Drug Policy Profiles: Portugal," European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) (Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2011), doi 10.2810/41390, pp. 15-16. |
34. Portugal's Decriminalization Law and Commissions for the Dissuasion of Drug Use (CDTs) "The decriminalisation of possession and use of drugs, Law 30/2000 of 29 of November, is an operational instrument of objectives and policies to combat the use and abuse of drugs, and the promotion of public health, complementary to the strategies of other areas of intervention of IDT, I.P. in the field of demand reduction, representing as well a measure against social exclusion. Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction, I.P., "2012 National Report (2011 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2012), pp. 113-114. |
35. US Perception of Portugal's Decriminalization "Portugal focuses much of its counternarcotic efforts on treatment and prevention. Drug use remains stable and below the EU average, despite decriminalization of personal drug use in 2001. 'Problem' drug use and HIV cases are referred to the Drug Addiction Dissuasion Commission, consisting of multi-disciplinary teams that assess users and decide the appropriate sanction and referral to educational or treatment programs. The Portuguese Ministry of Health’s Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction (IDT) operates numerous dug treatment centers nationwide. The IDT also has prevention programs that include training sessions, awareness-raising activities, and dissemination of informational pamphlets. Universal drug prevention is part of the Portuguese school curriculum. In addition, in the 'Safe Schools' program, law enforcement patrols 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." "International Narcotics Control Strategy Report: Volume I Drug and Chemical Control" (Washington, DC: US Dept. of State Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, March 2014), p. 278. |
36. Harm and Risk Reduction Model in Portugal "The Harm and Risk Reduction model implemented in Portugal, aims to propose, through integrated work, to users who are unable or unwilling to renounce drug use, help to reduce harm they cause themselves trough alternatives paths that lead to treatment facilities and therefore a gradual process of stabilization and organization, which may allow the recovery process. Thus the focus is the National Network of Harm and Risk Reduction (RRMD) as an integrated intervention model, recommended by the Operational Program of Integrated Responses (PORI), via the implementation of projects under the Program of Integrated Response (PRIs). Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction, I.P., "2012 National Report (2011 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues" (Lisbon, Portugal: 2012), p. 84. |
37. 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. European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, "Country Legal Profile: Portugal," last accessed Dec. 8, 2012. |