Punishment for drug users is not heavy, IFNGO president says

Augusto Nogueira

Augusto Nogueira, new president of the International Federation of Non-Government Organizations for the Prevention of Drug and Substance Abuse (IFNGO), does not think that the Macau government is enforcing heavy punishment for drug users.

Nogueria is also the president of the Association of Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers of Macau (ARTM) and a member of the MSAR Government’s Narcotics Control Commission and was this year’s president-elect of the 27th IFNGO World Conference, which concluded yesterday.

Talking to the Times on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the 27th IFNGO World Conference yesterday, Nogueira said: “It’s not heavy. It’s only three months to one year in prison, and only if they are caught for the second or third time. Of course we want zero, [we want] nobody with drug consumption to go to prison. Of course we prefer them to be referred to treatment centers. The drug law was approved one year ago, [we are still waiting] for the evaluation of the results.”

Nogueira thinks that the drug decriminalization policy is working effectively in Portugal, where drug use is not criminalized (only drug trafficking is) and believes that “what is happening in Portugal can be successful in other countries.”

“Each country has its own reality, but, I am sure that what is happening in Portugal can be implemented in many other countries.”

Commenting on whether drug decriminalization can be implemented in Macau, Nogueira said: “I do think that we can have some similar [outcomes] in Macau. […] The new law has been approved, now we have to see and to wait.”

Nogueira remarked that Macau’s current drug consumption situation is “ok and is stable.”

“Of course there is a small increase, but nothing special. There is a trend of going to the ice within the young generation, so we are working on that as well, not only prevention […]. We can say that we are controlling the increase,” he added.

Nogueira stated that Macau has a “good capacity of drug rehabilitation centers.”

“During this conference, the guests and the participants had the opportunity to visit [the drug rehabilitation centers] and they are very impressed with our facilities that we have in Macau. […] Thanks to the Macau government that has invested a lot in supporting NGOs.”

Regarding his suggestions to the Macau government of improving the consumption of drugs in the region, Nogueira said “Macau’s drug consumption has been improving for 17 years.”

“We just hope that we can continue working. Of course, there are small things that we need to improve. […] But these are smalls things and technical things that we are all working [on] together.”

The ARTM president thinks that currently there is no urgent issue that needs to be improved regarding the consumption of drugs in Macau.

“Currently, we have to first see the results of our new drug law,” said Nogueira.

As the new president of the IFNGO, Nogueira wants to “improve the IFNGO, aiming to make it a credible association again and to be a new strong voice here in Asia.”

“IFNGO has existed for many years, it’s activity has been slightly down in the last years. […] We have a lot of contact with Macau social affairs. […] We have to work to see what we can improve,” said Nogueira.

The 27th IFNGO World Conference – International Drug Policy Consortium which closed at Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel yesterday, had invited international representatives to discuss drug prevention methods, treatments, addictions, harm reduction and general drug policies.