"Portuguese drug policy is detailed in three strategic documents (National Strategy for the Fight Against Drugs 1999, National Plan Against Drugs and Drug Addiction 2005-12 and National Plan for the Reduction of Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies 2013-20). Launched in 1999 and envisaged as a long-term policy document, the National Strategy for the Fight Against Drugs defines the general objectives in the drug field. The strategy is built around eight principles, six objectives and 13 actions. The National Plan for the Reduction of Addictive Behaviours and Dependences (2013-20) builds on the 1999 strategy and takes a broad and integrated view of drug and addiction problems, including illicit drug use, new psychoactive substances (NPS), alcohol, prescription medications, doping and gambling (Figure 1). It is guided by five overarching objectives and is built around the two pillars of drug demand and drug supply reduction. It consists of two structural measures (the Operational Plan of Integrated Responses (PORI) and the referral network) and four transversal themes (information and research; training and communication; international relations and cooperation; and quality). The National Plan has defined a set of indicators and targets that
are to be achieved during its timeframe (2013-20). Three management areas -- coordination, budget and evaluation -- support the plan’s implementation alongside two action plans covering the periods 2013-16 and 2017-20."

"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."