"Between 2007 and 2012 in the set of the Portuguese population there was a general decrease in lifetime prevalence6 (any illicit drug from 12% to 9.5%) and recent use (any illicit drug from 3.7% to 2.7%), with the exception of ecstasy and LSD, whose lifetime prevalence remained the same and LSD use in last 12 months increased slightly.
"Among the young adult population was also found a generalized decrease in lifetime prevalence use (any illicit drug from 17.4% to 14.5%) and in the last 12 months (any illicit drug from 7% to 5.1%) except in the case of LSD where lifetime prevalence remained the same and recent use increased slightly.
"Emphasis is both in total population and in young adult population, in addition to declines in the prevalence of cannabis use, while most used substance, also of heroin, cocaine and amphetamines.
"Regarding continuity rates of consumption, i.e., the proportion of individuals having used a certain substance during lifetime prevalence, declare having used that substance in the last 12 months, as expected, the young adult population presented rates (35.2 % for any illicit drug) higher than the general population (28.1% for any illicit drug) for all drugs considered.
"In 2012, it is verified that the higher continuity rates of consumption are LSD and cannabis, is important, especially in the case of LSD which is the only substance that presents slight increases in the prevalence of use."
General-Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (SICAD). 2014 National Report (2013 data) to the EMCDDA by the Reitox National Focal Point: PORTUGAL: New Development, Trends. Lisbon, Portugal: 2014.
