Workshop on Drug Policy, Human Rights and the Prison System

The workshop on Drug Policies, Human Rights and thePrison System, organised by the Cooperation Programme between Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union on Drug Policies (COPOLAD),took place from 28 to 31 October at the premises of the Institute for Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies, I. P. (ICAD, I.P.).P. (ICAD, I.P.), the main aim of which was to provide a learning and knowledge-sharing experience on public policies, human rights and the prison system for professionals in the health, social and judicial fields, with a comparative perspective on the realities of each of the participating countries: Portugal, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Suriname and the Dominican Republic.

The event also included visits to the São João de Deus Prison Hospital and the Guarda Prison, which allowed for a more in-depth understanding of the practices adopted and the work carried out. The Guarda Prison has two projects co-financed by ICAD under the Integrated Response Programmes (PRI), namely the INPAR Project, which focuses on prevention, and the INTEGRA Project, which focuses on reintegration.

Portugal has participated in the COPOLAD Programme since its creation in 2011 through ICAD, I.P., which is the institution that coordinates national participation in the programme and the Integrated Intervention Department.

COPOLAD is a cooperation programme funded by the European Union, which aims to support Latin American and Caribbean countries in developing more effective drug policies with positive results in people's lives, especially the most vulnerable population groups, focusing on the promotion and defence of human rights, gender equity, social inclusion, sustainable development and public safety.

Due to its specific thematic nature, ICAD, I.P. challenged the Directorate-General for Reintegration and Prison Services to collaborate in the organisation of the workshop.