Portugal's response to drug-related harm, July 2018

In June 2018, the Queensland Mental Health Commissioner visited Portugal to observe the country’s response to illicit drug use, which is acknowledged by the International Narcotics Control Board as a best practice model. The Commissioner was accompanied by the CEO and Board President of the Queensland Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies and an Addiction Medicine Specialist from Metro North Hospital and Health Service.

This report outlines the group’s reflections on what they observed of the Portuguese approach to illicit drug use.