Gary Gannon, An Cathaoirleach: Apologies have been received from Deputy Máire Devine and Senator Nicole Ryan. I am delighted to open the 20th public meeting of the joint committee and the fourth in our module on legal issues. Today, we will explore international perspectives on legal, policy and operational responses to drug use. Joining us online are Dr. António Manuel Leitão da Silva of the Porto Municipal Police and Dr. Mariam Jashi from the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health. They are both welcome.

Dr. António Manuel Leitão da Silva of the Porto Municipal Police: Thank you so much. I wish to make a disclaimer to the effect that English is not my native language. Member will find that out very soon. So, I ask members to be patient with me.

The criminalisation of drugs in Portugal, implemented in 2000 has been widely regarded as a innovative response to the challenges posed by substance dependence. Rather than adopting a punitive approach, the Portuguese model seeks to address addiction through a biopsychosocial framework, recognising the complex interplay between biological, psychological and social factors. This shift raises important questions regarding the nature of drug-related offences and the appropriate role of law enforcement. Specifically, it invites reflection on whether drug use should be treated as a conventional criminal matter or as a victimless offence embedded within broader social and health dynamics.

Traditional drug policies have often framed substance use as a criminal issue, emphasizing punishment and deterrence. However, such approaches frequently fail to address the underlying causes of addiction and may exacerbate social exclusion. In contrast, the Portuguese model redefines the drug user as a patient rather than an offender. This reclassification enables a more flexible and humane response, directing individuals toward treatment and support services.

The decriminalisation of drug use does not eliminate the role of the police; rather, it transforms it. In Portugal, police officers remain responsible for identifying drug use, seizing illicit substances, and referring individuals to the Commissions for the Dissuasion of Drug Addiction. This raises a critical question: has the role of the police fundamentally changed, or merely its formal expression? On one hand, law enforcement continues to bear a substantial operational burden. On the other, the nature of police intervention has shifted toward facilitating access to health-oriented responses.

[Click here for the full debate]

Opening statement, Antonio Manuel Leitao Da Silva, National Head of Policing in North Portugal, Portugal Police Force

Opening statement, Dr. Mariam Jashi, Global Board Member, Chapter Chair for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, CEO of Global Sepsis Alliance, UNITE