O impacto da descriminalização de substâncias psicoativas para as intervenções de redução de riscos e minimização de danos

: estudo de caso do projecto Kosmicare/Boom Festival

Abstract

The aim of this study is to understand the Impact of Descriminalization of psychoactive substance use in the practice of harm reduction and risk minimization in Portugal In the development of this investigation we used a qualitative research methodology based on questionnaires conducted to security agents as well as health agents which have had direct contact with either consumption and/or traffic of psychoactive substances. The research methodology relies on a qualitative process using the.Nvivo10®. A blunter conclusion of this work is that, on average, the security agents are unaware of the current legislation premises regarding psychoactive substances consumption. Also, it's to be said that they didn’t understand the impact that the decriminalization has had in Portugal. However this is only the first step to explore this theme, which will require, a deeper and more complex analysis in all its' planes. We believe that creating ways to promote knowledge of the law around the agents which are also implicated, will result in a significant change and bettering on the application and enforcement of said law, which, it's in the benefit and on the psychoactive substance user best interest, in Portugal.

Date of Award	19 Feb 2015
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Maria Carmo Carvalho (Supervisor)