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João Goulão, MD Portuguese National Drugs Coordinator

DECRIMINALIZATION OF DRUG USE IN PORTUGAL. “Leaders Against Criminalization at AIDS 2010” Vienna, 22nd July 2010. João Goulão, MD Portuguese National Drugs Coordinator President, Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction. The history of Drug Use in Portugal.

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João Goulão, MD Portuguese National Drugs Coordinator

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  1. DECRIMINALIZATION OF DRUG USE IN PORTUGAL “Leaders Against Criminalization at AIDS 2010” Vienna, 22nd July 2010 João Goulão, MD Portuguese National Drugs Coordinator President, Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction

  2. The history of Drug Use in Portugal • It began much latter than in the other Western European Countries; • It happened with relevance only after the Portuguese Democratic Revolution (1974), when society was facing lots of deep and accelerated changes; • It developed very fast, and society was not able to answer in the right time and to face the “new needs” created by drug use; as a consequence, there was a gap between the appearance of the “needs” and the “answers”

  3. As a consequence of that developmental pattern: • Drug use spread under European average level; • But a considerable number of “problematic drug users” appeared and, during a long period of time, had no access to treatment; • By the end of the 20th Century, Portugal had one of the highest prevalence of Problematic Drug Use, at European Level; • At the same time the social burden, associated to drug use, was very relevant – top political concern

  4. The complexity of the situation called for some measures expected to reverse that cycle • A new National Strategy was built (1999) • A new Legal Framework appeared (Law 30/2000) • A new institutional structure appeared to implement and coordinate an Integrated Approach to all the areas related to Drugs and Drug Use

  5. Decriminalization in Short • Drug consumption: not a private choice, because of its social and sanitary effects • Drug addiction: a disease • Drug addict: a sick person • The dissuasion intervention: • Opportunity for early, specific and integrated interface with consumers • Aimed and targeted to the consumers’ characteristics and individual needs João Goulão 5

  6. Challenges A new destination for drug tourism? Compliance with the UN Conventions? Drug use increase in younger groups? Administrative sanctions in line with UN Conventions – No, Portugal said. Positive references in: April 2004 International Narcotics Control Board Mission to Portugal. World Drug Report 2009. The Cato Institute Greenwald Report. The 2009 EMCDDA Annual Report. João Goulão 6

  7. International References

  8. Treatment Demand by Drug Type New Patients by Main Drug Type in Public Ambulatory 2003 – 2007 * Heroin and Heroin & Cocaine categories are not directly comparable with following years categories. Source: IDT, I. P.: DR / DMFRI – NE 8

  9. Sanitary Evidence AIDS/HIV Notifications %: Drug Addicts and Non Drug Addicts, per Year of Diagnosis, 2001 - 2007 • In 2005, HIV infection was included in the mandatory diseases’ notification list. • ** The possibility of ongoing updates due to previous years diagnosis’ late notifications make this data provisional. INSA, I. P.: CVEDT, (2008/03/31) / IDT, I. P.: DMFRI-NE

  10. Sanitary Evidence AIDS/HIV Notifications: Drug Users and Non Drug Users, per Year of Diagnosis, 2002 - 2008 • In 2005, HIV infection was included in the mandatory diseases’ notification list. • ** The possibility of ongoing updates due to previous years diagnosis’ late notifications make this data provisional. INSA, I. P. (2008/12/31) / IDT, I. P.: DMFRI-NE 10

  11. Sanitary Evidence DrugInjectingonthePrevious 30 daysbeforeNewPatients 1st Consultation - PublicTreatmentNetwork 2002 - 2008 Source: IDDA,.P.I.: DR / DMFRI – NE

  12. Drug Consumption Prevalences (any drug) PORTUGAL 2001/2007 General Population (15 - 64 years) Source: Balsa, C. - INPP

  13. Drug Consumption Prevalences (any drug) PORTUGAL 2001/2007 General Population (15 - 64 years) Source: Balsa, C. - INPP

  14. CONCLUSIONS: There is a coherent articulation among ALL THE PORTUGUESE POLICY AND ACTIONS based on the idea that a DRUG ADDICT is a SICK PERSON with treatment needs instead of being addressed as a “CRIMINAL or a DELIQUENT”. Until now, the global drug situation in Portugal, seems to have a positive evolution in all the available indicators.

  15. INSTITUTO DA DROGA E DA TOXICODEPENDÊNCIA, I.P. INSTITUTE ON DRUGS AND DRUG ADDICTION, P.I. www.idt.pt Thank you for your attention joao.goulao@idt.min-saude.pt

  16. Ten Days Maximum Amount Allowed Illicit Substance Chart

  17. Annual Distribution of the Proceedings 2001-2009

  18. Indiciados Primários 2009 Situação Face aos Consumos e Encaminhamento IDT, I. P.: GAD / DMFRI - NE 18

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