Regional Government calls on Parliament to criminalise new psychoactive substances - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

The Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security, through the Regional Directorate for Prevention and Control of Dependencies, has sent the President of the National Assembly, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, a request for the rapid criminalisation of new psychoactive substances recently identified on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira, as they pose an emerging threat to public health.

The call comes after a complaint made during the last meeting of the task force dedicated to this issue, where significant changes in the behaviour of individuals with addictions followed by the street team were pointed out. The rapid coordination between the various organisations, and the immediate availability of the Criminal Investigation Police, led to the identification of new substances in drug samples seized by the authorities.

The rapid emergence of these new substances makes it difficult for the authorities to identify them, aggravating the risks associated with their consumption due to their high addictive potential, toxicity and unpredictable effects on the body.

These new substances are not yet criminalised or included in the legal framework of the Drugs Act 15/93 of January 22. This creates a gap in the authorities' ability to take effective action to control their consumption, trafficking and distribution.

This legislative vacuum undermines the protection of the most vulnerable populations, especially young people. It also limits preventive and repressive efforts in the Region, as elsewhere; therefore, the inclusion of these substances in legislation is an urgent and essential measure to empower the authorities in their actions against this menace.

Only with a swift and coordinated response between the various entities - governmental, educational, social and health - will it be possible to protect the well-being and health of Azorean communities, minimising the impact of addictive behaviours and dependencies in the Region.