Transcript of João Goulão, MD Portuguese National Drugs Coordinator President, Institute on Drugs and Drug...
Slide 1
Joo Goulo, MD Portuguese National Drugs Coordinator President,
Institute on Drugs and Drug Addiction Leaders Against
Criminalization at AIDS 2010 Vienna, 22nd July 2010
DECRIMINALIZATION OF DRUG USE IN PORTUGAL
Slide 2
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 The history of Drug Use in
Portugal
Slide 3
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 As a consequence of that developmental
pattern:
Slide 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
Slide 5
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 Decriminalization in
Short Joo Goulo 5
Slide 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. Joo
Goulo 6
Slide 7
International References 7
Slide 8
New Patients by Main Drug Type in Public Ambulatory 2003 2007
Source: IDT, I. P.: DR / DMFRI NE * Heroin and Heroin & Cocaine
categories are not directly comparable with following years
categories. 8 Treatment Demand by Drug Type
Slide 9
9 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 Sanitary Evidence
Slide 10
10 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 Sanitary Evidence
Slide 11
11 Source: IDDA,.P.I.: DR / DMFRI NE Drug Injecting on the
Previous 30 days before New Patients 1st Consultation - Public
Treatment Network 2002 - 2008 Sanitary Evidence
Slide 12
PORTUGAL 2001/2007 General Population (15 - 64 years ) Source:
Balsa, C. - INPP Drug Consumption Prevalences (any drug) 12
Slide 13
PORTUGAL 2001/2007 General Population (15 - 64 years) Source:
Balsa, C. - INPP Drug Consumption Prevalences (any drug) 13
Slide 14
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. CONCLUSIONS:
Slide 15
15 INSTITUTO DA DROGA E DA TOXICODEPENDNCIA, I.P. INSTITUTE ON
DRUGS AND DRUG ADDICTION, P.I. www.idt.pt
[email protected] Thank you for your attention
Slide 16
Ten Days Maximum Amount Allowed Illicit Substance Chart Illicit
SubstanceGrams Heroin1 Methadone1 Morphine2 Opium10 Cocaine
(hydrochloride)2 Cocaine (methyl ester benzoilegonine)0.3 Cannabis
(leaves and flowers or fruited dons)25 Cannabis (resin)5 Cannabis
(oil)2.5 LSD0.1 MDMA1 Amphetamine1 16
Slide 17
Annual Distribution of the Proceedings 2001-2009 17
Slide 18
Indiciados Primrios 2009 Situao Face aos Consumos e
Encaminhamento IDT, I. P.: GAD / DMFRI - NE Toxicodependentes778
ETC. SadeOutrosTotal Tratamento Voluntrio6451488747
Encaminhamento1791026215 Reencaminhamento901394 Continuao de
Tratamento 376359438 No Toxicodependentes3911 Sem Diligncias de
Motivao1660 Apenas Diligncias de Motivao771 Dilig. Motivao +
Encaminhamento p/ Estruturas de Apoio522 Encaminhamento Directo
para Estruturas de Apoio958 18