Decree-Law 15/93

The Decree-Law 15/93 of January 22 (Portuguese: Decreto-Lei n.º 15/93, de 22 de Janeiro) is a Portuguese drug control law implementing the 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.[1]

Decree-Law n. 15/93
Government of Portugal
  • The approval of the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, duly signed by Portugal and ratified.
Citation1993, c. 234 - 252
Territorial extentPortugal
Enacted byMinistry of Justice
Enacted12 November 1992
Assented to21 December 1992
Signed byMário Soares
Commenced22 February 1992
Amends
Rectification n. 20/93
Decree-Law n. 81/85
Law n. 45/96
Decree-Law n. 214/2000
Law n. 30/2000
Decree-Law n. 69/2001
Law n. 101/2001
Law n. 104/2001
Decree-Law n. 323/2001
Law n. 3/2003
Law n. 47/2003
Law n. 11/2004
Law n. 17/2004
Law n. 14/2005
Law n. 48/2007
Law n. 48/2007
Law n. 59/2007
Law n. 18/2009
Law n. 38/2009
Decree-Law n. 114/2011
Law n. 13/2012
Law n. 22/2014
Law n. 77/2014
Law n. 7/2017
Law n. 8/2019
Related legislation
Criminal Code
Summary
Revises drug law
Keywords
Drugs
Status: In force

It classifies substances into six categories, Table (Portuguese: Tabela) I through Table VI. Tables I and II are each further broken down into classes: A, B, and C.

This law was also the first that created the crime of money laundering in Portuguese law, and has been amended 25 times since 1993.[2]

The introduction of the law, which is primarily aimed at controlling drug trafficking, says that although the use of drugs is socially censurable, that "does not prevent drug addicts from being seen in the first place as persons who are in need of medical assistance" who should receive care. Thus, "drug consumers are presently legally punishable in an almost symbolic fashion" that encourages treatment.[1][nb 1]

While drug use is illegal in Portugal, the law's introduction notes of occasional drug users: "it is necessary above all to avoid them being labelled, marginalised, pushed into an impasse or towards avenues whose only way out is drugs."[1][nb 2] However, the Portuguese government condemned the Dutch pragmatic policy, well known for its absence of user punishment.

Drug trafficking is punished with very harsh sentences; in the most severe cases, it can be punished by 10 years to 25 years of imprisonment.[4]

Table I

Class A

Class B

Class C

Table II

Class A

Class B

Class C

Table III

Table III includes special preparations which may include limited amounts of any of the controlled drugs listed under Tables I and II.

Table IV

Table V and VI

Tables V and VI comprise precursor substances (and salts thereof) which may be used to manufacture drugs listed under Tables I and II.

Table V

Table VI

See also

Notes
  1. "Tal não significa, todavia, que o tocicodependente não deva ser encarado, em primeira linha, como alguém que necessita de assistência médica e que tudo deve ser feito para o tratar, por sua causa e também pela protecção devida aos restantes cidadãos.
    Em conformidade com tais afirmações, o consumidor de drogas é sanciondo pela lei vigente de maneira quase simbólica, procurando-se que o contacto com o sistema formal da justiça sirva para o incentivar ao tratamento, na hipótese de ter sido atingido pela toxico-dependência."[3]
  2. "Para os consumidores ocasionais, acima de tudo deseja-se a sua não etiquetagem, a não marginalização, enfim, que o seu semelhante o não empurre para becos sem saída ou que a saída acabe mesmo por ser a droga."[3]

References
  1. "Decree-Law n.º 15/93 of January 22: Anti-Drug Legislation". Portuguese Legislation in English. Lisbon: Gabinete de Documentação e Direito Comparado. Retrieved 2010-11-02.
  2. "::: DL n.º 15/93, de 22 de Janeiro". www.pgdlisboa.pt. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  3. Ministério da Justiça (1993-01-22). "Decreto-Lei n.º 15/93 de 22 de Janeiro" (PDF). Diário da República (in Portuguese). Lisbon: Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda. I–A (18): 234. ISSN 0870-9963. Retrieved 2010-11-02.
  4. Inacio, Sergio; Lap, Mario (1999). "Portugal: The law and the enforcement figures". Drugtext Information Services. Drugtext Foundation.
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