The man described as the architect behind Portugal’s response to its national overdose crisis has just visited Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) and is not holding back about what he thinks needs to be done in B.C.
When heroin flooded Portugal’s streets in the 90s, Dr. João Goulão was credited with ending the overdose crisis.
Portugal shifted policy to police large-scale dealers rather than individuals.
People who had problems with substance use were encouraged and offered either treatment, opioid substitution therapy, or harm reduction initiatives.
But after visiting Vancouver’s DTES Goulão said the province can learn from what was done in Portugal but should tailor its strategy.
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He said for starters, the federal government needs to call the overdose crisis a national health emergency.
“Mostly because of the number of overdoses deaths you are having here, it’s a very, very, important problem of public health,” said Goulão.
He said the collective response is making a difference but that communication is needed. Coordination between all organizations involved – such as injection sites, clinics, first responders, and all levels of government – is key.
One of Portugal’s key initiatives during the 90s was removing the stigma around drug use by decriminalizing it, which Goulão said is vital to removing barriers for those seeking help.
“We are dealing with a disease so it makes no sense to criminalize people who suffer from it; it’s important to remove the stigma.”
In 2001 Portugal decriminalized hard drugs like heroin, an idea that the Canadian government has rejected.
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