TOXICODEPENDÊNCIA NA ADOLESCÊNCIA: uma análise sobre a problemática do consumo de substâncias psicoativas lícitas e ilíticas.

This article presents an analysis of drug addiction in adolescence and the situation of this problem in Portugal. The agents of intervention for personal and social well-being are professionals in the social and health sector, so this is a relevant topic for Social Work. After a theoretical and legal framework on the subject, we started to analyze and reflect on secondary statistical data provided by SICAD and Eurostat, which would make it possible to present a synthesis of them. The data from this descriptive study indicate that even with the prohibition of the consumption of illicit drugs and the prohibition of the sale and consumption of tobacco and alcoholic beverages under the age of eighteen, in Portugal, the reality is not the desired one in our legal framework. In this way, it is important to change the situation and focus on prevention, taking advantage of the factors that protect young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]