From crisis management to sustainable solutions:Portuguese HR teams approach to actual & future drug overdose challenges

BACKGROUND 

From 2017 to 2021, Portugal witnessed stable mortalities rates associated with drug use, yet in 2021 of the recorded drug-related deaths (413), 74 (18%) were attributed to overdoses (OD), marking a notable increase of approximately 45% from the previous year. In the period 2017-2021, the number of OD (275) almost doubled (+82%) compared to the previous 5 years (151). Oriented by a Harm Reduction approach several Portuguese NGOs and Teams work daily in proximity with people who use drugs (PWUD) and who are at risk of overdose, promoting safer drug use practices and acting in the emerging presence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) and overdose settings. The change in the current context in Europe, with overdoses on the rise among older users and deaths among stimulant users, as well as the toxic market supply suggests the need for greater sharing and proximity between harm reduction teams.

AIMS

The ultimate aim will be to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining existing HR strategies to keep OD numbers at levels considered low, at a time when Europe is facing worrying changes in the illicit substance markets. It is expected that the presence of technical teams with all their knowledge and experience will certainly enrich the discussion and contribute to practical skill acquisition regarding the theme of overdose prevention, detection and intervention. The session will:

1. Enhance understanding of current overdose trends and challenges in Portugal
2. Identify and disseminate effective intervention strategies and associated challenges

METHODS

Interactive and participatory session promoted by Ares do Pinhal, APDES, CRESCER, GAT, and Médicos do Mundo – organisations that promote the safer use of drugs and Outreach Teams in Lisbon and Porto - and the national Medical emergency team, INEM.

After an initial contextualisation of the phenomenon in Portugal, participants will be invited to take part in a discussion that will be divided into two parts, focusing on intervention and future challenges.

WORKSHOP STRUCTURE

1. Introduction to the workshop, its goals, and background information -5'
2. Overview of non-fatal overdoses addressed by harm reduction teams -20'
3. Group discussion around current specific challenges faced by participants, identifying intervention strategies-25'
4. Group discussion, interactive brainstorming session on future response strategies based on current challenges and successful intervention strategies & Best Practices -25'
5. Wrap-up and conclusions -15'

CONCLUSIONS

At a time when the availability of Heroin could be seriously affected and the introduction of synthetic opioids is already taking place in several European countries, causing a drastic increase in deaths among PWUD, this discussion also aims to review, through sharing and discussion, the various realities and methods used to deal with OD in Portugal considering the changes that have been taking place both in the contexts and the PWUD populations.