Drugs in Portugal - situation and responses

In the context of Drugs and Drug Addiction, the year 2006 was distinguished by the effort developed by all Bodies and Entities with intervention in this area, in order to find effective coordination forms, with a clear definition of the priorities and responsibilities of each intervenient.

Following the assessment of the Portuguese Drug Strategy 1999, the year in which the strategic goals were redefined and included in the National Action Plan Horizon 2012 and was outlined the Action Plan mid-term (Horizon 2008), with the actions’ schedule, clear assumption of the responsibilities in the carrying out and definition of measurable indicators in order to be monitored.

   Drug use

Cannabis continues to be the most used drug and its visibility in several indicators continues to increase, alone or in combination with other substances.

Nevertheless, heroin remains as the main drug involved in health drug use related consequences and in some of the legal drug use related consequences.

The presence of cocaine is increasingly being mentioned in several indicators, namely concerning the recreational, treatment and market settings.

  Lifetime prevalence of illicit drug use (Balsa 2001)

2006 school survey data seems to indicate a decrease in drug use prevalence amongst the pupils of the 6th, 8th and 10th grades (aged 12 to 19). However this is based on preliminary data only and more in-depht analysys will be needed to confirm this apparent decrease.

Responses to drug use were re-organised at national level, following the 2004 evaluation and the 2005 drafting of new National Plan.

Emphasis will be placed in local needs assessment and the provision of integrated responses, in accordance with the identified needs. Integrated responses will have the possibility of including the areas of prevention, harm reduction, treatment and rehabilitation.