52. BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS Drug abuse is not a problem in the British Virgin Islands and peddling of drugs is virtually unknown. However, barbiturates, amphetamines and other psychotropic substances can be purchased from certain drug stores without a doctor's prescription. Alcoholism constitutes a greater problem than abuse of illicit drugs.
53. CAYMAN ISLANDS It is estimated that there are some 600 persons who smoke cannabis. Abuse of cannabis has not produced any syndrome requiring treatment. The amount of cannabis seized has increased in the last years.
54. DOMINICA There has been some cannabis seizures and prosecution for cannabis offences.
55. GRENADA
There are some 500 cannabis smokers. The amount of cannabis
seized has increased since 1974.
56. MONSERRAT
Drug abusers, mostly to cannabis, are remanded to prison.
57. ST. LUCIA It seems that there is a wide spread abuse of drugs in this small island of the Carribbean (about 100 000 inhabitants). The authorities estimate at 5 000 the number of persons abusing cannabis. Most of them live in
It is the country doing their own farming and smoking cannabis regularly. estimated that some 1 000 persons abuse amphetamines (orally). There is also a large abuse of Mandrax (500 persons) and diazepam (100 persons): these two drugs are often taken in combination with alcohol by young people in the 18-25 age group.
Main characteristics of drug abuse in the Americas.
B.
58.
The most predominant features emerging from the information available regarding the drug abuse situation in 26 countries and eight territories of this region are the following: (i) general wide spread abuse of cannabis; (ii) an increased tendency towards the abuse of stimulants (amphetamine-type drugs and cocaine); (iii) an increased abuse of opiates particularly in the North American countries; (iv) a distinct trend towards multiple drug abuse; (v) a widespread and stationary habit of coca-chewing in some Andean countries; (vi) a steep increase in the abuse of barbiturate-type substances, frequently methaqualone/ Mandrax but alsc tranquillizers and (vii) abuse of hallucinogens, mainly LSD, but also of volatile solvents (among young people).
59. Important socio-economic problems related to the abuse of drugs appear in the Andean countries where coca chewing is widespread and well rooted. The countries are undertaking action to resolve these problems. Economic and educational changes appear to be necessary in order to replace the cultivation of the coca bush and to reduce the coca chewing habit. Drug abuse also appears to have serious economic consequences for highly developed countries such as the United States of America where the social cost of drug abuse is estimated at 10 to 17 billion dollars a year.
Psycho-social reactions, social maladjustments, psychotic reactions. as well as erratic and sometimes violent behaviour are also problems often associated with drug abuse.
60. Abuse of opiates is increasing in recent years particularly in the United States but also in Canada. Over 500 000 persons reported by the United States abuse
In Canada abuse of heroin seems on the increase as well. Some opiate abuse has been reported in some Caribbean and South American countries.
heroin by injection.