Differences between subjects with socially integrated drug use: a study in Italy and Portugal

Background: Italian and Portuguese drug policies are similar–demand reduction–but the law seems to be applied quite differently: Italian law pays particular attention to decreasing substance use, while the Portuguese legal framework focuses on health-related issues rather than legal aspects. Methods: To describe national differences in terms of phenomenology of substances use, feared/unwanted consequences and most common rules to avoid harms, 44 Italian and 44 Portuguese drug users who have never been referred to specialist treatment services and had recently used an illegal substance over the previous year on a weekly basis were interviewed. A questionnaire was used, with different scales. Results: All participants are afraid of suffering from psychological disorders and physical problems, of having money-related problems and of being stigmatized as a consequence of drug use. The Portuguese individuals mostly fear opiate overdoses, while the Italians fear having problems with the law and being caught in possession of the substance. Conclusions: We observe a different way of perceiving and applying the drug legislation that determines particular attitudes and precaution among drug users at the national level.