1. Decriminalisation Policy and the role of the CDT
Lisbon Addictions 2017
Américo Gegaloto
Commissions for the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction

2. Declaration of interests
I am President of the Commission for the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction of Setúbal since 2001
I work for SICAD – Portuguese Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies

3. 1999 Portuguese Drug Strategy
The strategy works as interrelated interventions:
Prevention
Dissuasion (new - Decriminalisation)
Treatment
Harm reduction
Reintegration
Portuguese National Strategy created: - New approach, “it is better to treat than to punish”
- New structures and new answers - New holistic approach to the individual

4. Portugal Decriminalisation
It aims to ban the consumption of illicit substances from the criminal field, which can either lead to non-sanction or to the imposition of an administrative sanction.
Drug possession in Portugal is prohibited and considered an administrative offence, in line with the UN conventions rules.

5. Portuguese Legal Framework Decree-Law n. 130-A/2001 of 23 April
Law n. 30/2000 of 29 November
Defines the legal framework applicable to the consumption of narcotics and psychotropic substances, together with the medical and social welfare of the consumers of such substances without medical prescription.
Decree-Law n. 130-A/2001 of 23 April
Establishes the organization, process and operating system of the Commissions for the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction.

6. Dissuasion is a normative response based on values such as:
- the humanist principle of respect for human dignity - innovation - pragmatism - multidisciplinary intervention and networking with local structures
Its main objective is to offers the possibility of users to have an healthier lifestyle and changing their behavior
The mission is to dissuade the use of drugs

7. Dissuasion aims to:
- Discourage and making consumers aware of the harmful consequences
- Create conditions for the individual to carry out the change
- Confronting individuals with devaluing of their behavior
- Commissions for the Dissuasion are light and multidisciplinary structures, guided by the principle of proximity

8. Global and Integrated Intervention
Dissuasion is a global and integrated intervention, where the Commissions for the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction (CDT) guarantee the application of Law no. 30/ The Commissions are responsible for implementing the Law n. 30/2000, an important component of the intervention model, with:
- prevention and promotion of healthier lifestyle early detection of risk, consumption and public health situations articulation with local responses

9. Commission as “referral platform":
- Evaluate the relationship that the consumer establishes with drugs
- Flag and forward to appropriate responses (health facilities)
- Flag individuals with problematic situations of social integration or others In conclusion, the Commission try to bring consumers closer to the health and social services, with special emphasis on prevention, treatment, harm reduction and social reintegration, in order to obtain health gains

10. Commission for the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction
Composition:
Members (3 members / 2 make quorum)
Legal Expert/Health Professional/Social Worker
Multidisciplinary Team
Technical team – Clinical Psychologists/Social Worker/Lawyer
There are:
18 Commissions, one in each district of continental Portugal
4 Commissions, in the independent regions of Madeira and Azores

11. Security forces make the police report
HOW IT WORKS
- Identifies the consumer
Other elements:
- Circumstances of time and place
- Type and quantity of illicit drugs
- Send the report to the Commission
- Notifies the consumer for hearing
Security forces make the police report
Hearing in the Commission
- Evaluation interview
- Motivational intervention
- Opportunity to advise and to guide
Establishing a relationship of trust
Members
Technical team
- Confirm the identification
- Explain the process and consequences
- Accountability for future behaviors
- Ask questions about the report
- Inform, recommends and guide
Show depreciation due to behavior
Decision

12. Non-addicted consumer Non-addicted consumer (measures/penalties)
Decision
On first appearance
On second appearance
Addicted consumer
Treatment
Addicted consumer
Non-addicted consumer
Non-addicted consumer
Provisional
suspension
of proceedings
File the
proceedings
- Refuses treatment or
- Interrupts treatment
Sanctions
(measures/penalties)

13. Sanctions (measures/penalties)
Complies
Does not comply
- Fine (never to an addicted consumer)
- Prohibition to exercise a profession or licensed activity
- Prohibition of the frequency of certain places
- Prohibition to accompany, house or receive People
- Prohibition to travel abroad
- Periodic presentation in a designated local (health and social services)
- Seizure of objects
- Deprivation of subsidy management
Process follows
for execution
File the proceedings

14. Intervention in Dissuasion

15. Conclusions:
- Decriminalisation did not led to an increase of drug use
Decrease of recent users among general population
Increase of treatment demand, also among cannabis users
Decrease of problematic users
Reduction of drug related deaths and infectious diseases
Decrease of social stigma over drug users

16. Thank you for your attention
Américo Gegaloto
Lisbon Addictions 2017