"The most recent general population survey shows that cannabis remains the most frequently used illicit substance in Portugal, followed by MDMA/ecstasy and cocaine. Use of illicit substances is more common among young adults (aged 15-34 years). The available data indicate an increase in last year and last month cannabis use during the period 2012-16, mainly among those aged between 25 and 44 years.
"In 2017, the third edition of the Survey on Addictive Behaviours among people aged 18 years took place; young people participating in the National Defence Day were surveyed. Cannabis was the substance with the highest prevalence of use. A slight decrease in the prevalence of cocaine use relative to previous years was observed.
"Lisbon, Almada and Porto participate in the Europe-wide annual wastewater campaigns undertaken by the Sewage Analysis Core Group Europe (SCORE); 2018 data are not available for Porto, however. This study provides data on drug use at a municipal level, based on the levels of illicit drugs and their metabolites found in wastewater. The results indicate an increase in cocaine and MDMA use in Lisbon between 2013 and 2018, and the use of these substances seems to be more common in Lisbon than in Porto or Almada (in 2016 and 2017). Moreover, in all locations the presence of these substances in wastewater was higher at weekends than on weekdays. In 2018, amphetamine and methamphetamine levels detected in the two cities remained low, indicating very limited use of these substances in these cities."
European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (2019), Portugal: Country Drug Report 2019, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.
