I spent the afternoon of 11th September at the offices of SICAD (the Institute for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies), with Dr Joao Goulao, the Director General. SICAD works nationally to reduce addiction to both licit and illicit substances. The organisation develops universal prevention strategies across different state institutions (including schools), supports harm reduction mechanisms and collects the latest information and statistical data for submission to the European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).
Dr Joao Goulao has been one of the driving strategists of the drug reform movement. As well as Director-General of SICAD, he is national Co-ordinator for the Technical Committee, which responds directly to the Interministerial Council headed by the Prime Minister. The Committee is composed of representatives from 11 Ministries and is tasked with the strategic oversight and monitoring of the laws and policies for intervention on addictive behaviour and dependencies. It can recommend legal and policy changes.
In going to talk Dr Goulao I was seeking to gain an understanding of (a) the national system for dealing with drugs and other addictive substances and behaviour, and how the various component parts/institutions of this complex network of prevention, treatment, re-integration work together; (b) the management of political and public concerns and expectations; (c) present and future challenges. I got all this information - and much more besides.
Talking to Dr Goulao, with his long standing experience and deep insight into the nature of dependency, was both fascinating and inspiring. It has impressed upon me that the Portuguese approach can only be truly understood by unravelling dominant assumptions about drug taking, drug users and addiction. This implies being open to turn common conceptions and positions on their head.
Again I find myself feeling truly indebted to my gracious hosts' hospitality, openness and the time they have devoted and are devoting to my research and to fostering my understanding.
Dr Joao Goulao has been one of the driving strategists of the drug reform movement. As well as Director-General of SICAD, he is national Co-ordinator for the Technical Committee, which responds directly to the Interministerial Council headed by the Prime Minister. The Committee is composed of representatives from 11 Ministries and is tasked with the strategic oversight and monitoring of the laws and policies for intervention on addictive behaviour and dependencies. It can recommend legal and policy changes.
In going to talk Dr Goulao I was seeking to gain an understanding of (a) the national system for dealing with drugs and other addictive substances and behaviour, and how the various component parts/institutions of this complex network of prevention, treatment, re-integration work together; (b) the management of political and public concerns and expectations; (c) present and future challenges. I got all this information - and much more besides.
Talking to Dr Goulao, with his long standing experience and deep insight into the nature of dependency, was both fascinating and inspiring. It has impressed upon me that the Portuguese approach can only be truly understood by unravelling dominant assumptions about drug taking, drug users and addiction. This implies being open to turn common conceptions and positions on their head.
Again I find myself feeling truly indebted to my gracious hosts' hospitality, openness and the time they have devoted and are devoting to my research and to fostering my understanding.