RAIO-X IN Mouraria discusses harm reduction responses in the territory
01 Julho 2026On 26 June, GAT held RAIO-X IN Mouraria - From evidence to action, from experience to change, an initiative hosted at Casa da Covilhã, on Rua do Benformoso, as part of the Global Day of Action Support. Don’t Punish.
The event brought together professionals, policymakers, local organisations, activists, people who use drugs, service users and neighbours to reflect on substance use, harm reduction and the responses needed in the Mouraria area.
During the morning, Adriana Curado, Community Researcher at GAT, presented the main results of the European project NextGen Harm Reduction and the policy brief “Responding to new patterns of use without leaving anyone behind: local challenges for harm reduction”.
The document identifies priorities to strengthen local responses, including greater stability and funding for services, continuous training for teams, the participation of peers and people who use drugs, digital responses connected to communities, institutional coordination and the reduction of stigma.
The presentation was followed by the roundtable “Rethinking intervention in Mouraria”, moderated by Mariana Vicente, Director of Services and Projects at GAT, with the participation of Francisco Lopes from Unidade Técnica Taipas, Wilson Silva from the MIPP of the 2nd Police Station, Catarina Marcelino from the Santa Maria Maior Parish Council and Miguel Soares from Lisbon City Council.
One of the key moments of the discussion was the commitment made by Lisbon City Council to find a new space for GAT in the territory, recognising the importance of continuing the community-based intervention carried out by GAT with people who use drugs and the local community.
During the afternoon, the exhibition “Radiografia IN Mouraria” revisited 13 years of GAT in Mouraria through photography. This was followed by the community conversation “Listening to the territory of Mouraria”, which brought together service users, neighbours and activists to share experiences, needs and community-based responses in the neighbourhood.
The initiative ended with a tribute to activist João Santa Maria, a key figure in the history of GAT and Mouraria, recognising his contribution to harm reduction, the dignity of people who use drugs and the defence of more humane and less punitive drug policies.
RAIO-X IN Mouraria was held as part of the NextGen Harm Reduction: Tackling the Challenge of Emerging Psychoactive Drugs project, co-funded by the European Union and promoted in Portugal by GAT in partnership with Kosmicare. GAT thanks Casa da Covilhã for providing the venue, and all the people, organisations, professionals, activists, service users and neighbours who took part in this day of reflection, listening and action.
Photo: Luana Fernandes
