NCJ Number
164225
Date Published
1994
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Data and information address general trends and epidemiological data on drug use in Europe, along with policy issues and current or recent epidemiological research.
Abstract
The quantities of heroin seized in 1993 increased in most European countries. In eastern and nordic countries, this reflects in part changes in trafficking routes. Changes in enforcement measures also influenced the figures. The availability of heroin may have increased, with stable or falling prices. The amount of cocaine seized in 1993 increased in most countries, and seizures of amphetamines increased in nordic, northern, and some eastern countries. Increased seizures of LSD and MDMA were more widely noted; cannabis seizures were more variable, but have increased overall. The prevalence of addiction continued to increase in some countries and remained stable in others. Drug-related deaths decreased or stabilized in many countries after several years of increase, and the proportion of addicts who inject their drugs continues to decrease in some countries. Drug use among youth shows a recent increase in most countries where data are available, especially regarding cannabis, amphetamines, LSD, and MDMA. The concentration of addiction in prison is a significant issue, as is drug policy in general. Methadone programs are expanding in many countries. Recent research includes school surveys, estimation of the prevalence of addiction or of drug use by injection, and evaluation of methadone treatment. Appended regional groupings of countries with each country's population