Lisbon streets have become a hotbed for drug dealing and consumption as the Mayor admitted police reinforcements are needed.
According to local press, the consumption and sale of drugs takes place in broad daylight in the middle of busy streets or in front of private homes, which is increasing insecurity and violence in the area.
Residents have complained of frequent muggings, attempted break-ins and violence on the streets, with reports that those involved take advantage of the lack of policing.
Commercial organisations, residents and civil groups signed an open letter to the Portuguese authorities to denounce the situation as a public health risk earlier this year, O Globo reports.
The letter said: “Syringes and other disposable materials associated with the consumption of psychoactive substances accumulate in public spaces, putting public health at risk, both for the consumers themselves and for all the people who carry out their daily lives in these spaces.
“What’s more, we’re seeing an increase in the number of people in great human suffering and vulnerability.”
Speaking to journalists in July, Mayor Carlos Moedas acknowledged the problem: “If we want the city to continue to be safe, we have to have more municipal police.
“We received 25 municipal police officers when we had asked for 200, and we have to have more PSP on the streets. We need to see more PSP on the streets.”
Moedas admitted Lisbon is experiencing “an increase in drug use” since the pandemic and “help from the state” was needed, but assured “the City Council has played its part”.
He acknowledged the need for consumption rooms, saying they would need another in the east of the city, and a mobile unit.
Portugal became the first country in the European Union to decriminalise all drugs, including cocaine and heroin, under a statue passed in 2001 which included programmes for the treatment of drug addicts.
Although drug possession for personal use and drug usage are still legally prohibited, violations are deemed administrative instead of criminal violations. Drug trafficking continues to be prosecuted as a criminal offence.
As part of the remedial approach, there is one assisted drug consumption room in Lisbon, however plans for a second one announced three years ago have still not been developed.
President of ICAD (Institute for Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies), João Goulão, told Diário de Notícias that the Casal Ventoso neighbourhood was “the biggest drug supermarket in Europe” in the 1990s.
He added: “There is once again a significant concentration of drug sales there. Consumers are out in the open. We need to once again be able to offer all those who want to get treatment the chance to do so.”
