NCJ Number
218468
Editor(s)
Margriet van Laar,
Guus Cruts,
Andre van Gageldonk,
Esther Croes,
Marianne van Ooyen-Houben,
Ronald Meijer,
Toine Ketelaars
Date Published
2007
Length
190 pages
Annotation
This report on the drug situation in the Netherlands for 2006 addresses developments in drug use and related problems, responses and interventions, and law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
Abstract
Between 1997 and 2005, the percentage of past-year users of cannabis, cocaine, and amphetamines remained stable in the general population of persons 15-64 years old (5.4 percent, 0.6 percent, and 0.3 percent, respectively, in 2005); however, significant increases in the lifetime prevalence of cannabis and cocaine use were seen during these years. Both the lifetime and past-year prevalence of ecstasy use gradually increased from 1997 to 2005 (lifetime from 2.3 percent to 4.3 percent; last year from 0.8 percent to 1.2 percent). Compared to the general and school population, drug use is more common among youth in the nightlife scene. So far, there are no signs of a major increase in the popularity of amphetamines, either in the nightlife scene or among more marginalized hard drug users. In 2004, a national action plan was launched to discourage cannabis use and to promote research on the problem use of cannabis in relation to mental disorder. There have also been initiatives to counter the increased co-occurrence of substance dependence and psychiatric disorders. Various initiatives have focused on improvement in the quality of addiction care. The prevention of drug abuse has become an increasingly important part of public health prevention. In 2005 and 2006, law enforcement efforts focused on reducing the production and trafficking in ecstasy to and from the Netherlands. A plan has been implemented to counter drug trafficking, particularly cocaine, at Schiphol Airport. Enforcement efforts have intensified regarding cannabis cultivation and the organized crime groups behind it. Extensive tables and figures and a bibliography of references, an overview of relevant databases, and a list of relevant Internet addresses