Drug use among the Portuguese population has been in decline, but there are some worrying trends especially among women and young people, according to a new report.
‘The Situation in the Country for Drugs and Dependency 2012’ reveals that between 2007 and 2012 overall drug use is down, but over the same period consumption has increased in some female age groups, contrary to the general pattern, which gives rise to ‘new challenges for the future.’
At drug clinics, heroin remains the main problem area with more users in treatment, but the number of new clients for cannabis dependency problems is down. There also is an increase, especially in the last two years, in the proportion of new clients who state that cannabis and cocaine are their primary choices of drug.
In the context of drug treatment in 2012, 29,062 users were treated as outpatients. Of those who started treatment during the year, 4,012 were readmitted patients and 2001 were new users.
Men are ahead of women in problem usage but Portugal’s consumption is below the European average. The report draws no parallel between drug use and declining income levels through the economic crisis.
