Manuel Gonçalves-Pinho, a researcher at CINTESIS and a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, is one of the authors of the thematic dossier “Addictive Behaviors, Perspectives and Challenges”, published in November by SICAD – Serviço de Intervenção nos Comportamentos Aditivos e nas Dependências (Intervention Service in Addictive Behaviors and Addictions).
This collection, which includes contributions from researchers and national experts working in the field of addictive behaviors, also addresses issues such as current perspectives and challenges or the panorama and evolution of addictive behaviors among Portuguese adolescents, among other topics.
The CINTESIS researcher participated with the chapter entitled “Cannabis – where are we and where are we going?”, in which he discusses the various types of consumption that exist, the associated hospitalizations, the legislation of recreational consumption, and the potential economic impact.
According to the SICAD Annual Report, cannabis is the drug with the highest prevalence of use in Portugal. Besides the number of cannabis users, Manuel Gonçalves-Pinho points out the characteristics of these users: they are mostly young and use the drug continuously.
“These two variables should motivate a deep reflection about the possible consequences of an eventual increase in consumption in the coming years,” he warns.
Manuel Gonçalves-Pinho also lists the measures to be taken if the legalization of recreational cannabis use goes ahead in our country, and lists the main challenges that the legal and social changes will pose to health services.
“We should hasten investment in these health services and their professionals,” he stresses.
The thematic dossier is available here.