86. BELGIUM 21 Drug abuse is on the increase and there is intense illicit trafficking from neighbouring countries. The quantity of heroin seized rose from 5 kg in 1974 to over 70 kg in 1975. The following drugs are abused: cannabis and its derivatives (more than 1 900 kg of resin seized); heroin, morphine (over 1 380 ampoules seized), methadone, amphetamines and LSD (some 3 000 doses seized). The most common combination of drugs are: amphetamines and LSD or heroin; LSD and hashish and amphetamines. Abuse of hashish, amphetamines, LSD and heroin are most commonly encountered in persons between 15 and 25 years of age. Two hundred and twenty-nine persons were apprehended for drug offences. At the end of 1975 there has been a wave of forged prescriptions for drugs, particularly methadone. An in-depth inquiry into the over-consumption of drugs licitly prescribed showed that among consumers 6 per cent had taken narcotic drugs; 7.5 per cent stimulants; 23 per cent hypnotics; 13 per cent tranquillizers. study was carried out in 1974.
This
87.
BULGARIA 22/ The extent of drug abuse remains limited, most cases of addiction are due to therapeutic treatment with opiates. There are some 170 opiate addicts registered, most of them taking the drug by injection. It has been observed that barbiturate-type drugs, listed in Schedule III of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances have been abused during the last two years by persons between 20 and 30 years of age. There have been a few sporadic cases of cocaine and cannabis abuse, mostly among the multiple drug abusers. Over 643 kilogrammes of cannabis resin were seized and 42 persons prosecuted for cannabis offences in 1975. Opiates and barbiturate-type drugs are often taken in combination. A certain number of persons have also abused amphetamine-type drugs, most of the cases of abuse have been due to therapeutic treatment. The most common problems associated with the abuse of opiates, barbiturates and amphetamines as well as with multiple drug abuse are health, behavioural and family problems. Stricter regulations controlling substances in Schedule III of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances were promulgated in 1975.
88.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA There is some abuse of barbiturates; it leads to behavioural disorders, and is related to professional failures. Amphetamines are taken orally for doping purposes; the abuse of these drugs are associated with health problems. Triphenidyl (a substance related to scopolamine and atropine) is frequently abused by adolescents and induces delirious states. There is prevailing abuse of morphine among adolescents who obtain it by breaking into pharmacies. Codeine is available over the counter and frequently abused; it has caused strong dependence with somatic and psychic disorders. Pethidine is the preferred drug of abuse among health workers. Abuse of organic solvents is more commonly encountered among adolescents. There is also some sporadic abuse of cannabis and LSD.
Stimulants are often taken in combination with codeine or morphine.
89.
DENMARK It is estimated that some 5 000 young abusers take opiates, tranquillizers and barbiturates in Copenhagen. The trend is towards multiple drug abuse. Drug abuse is concentrated in the 15-30 age group, and is associated with behavioural disorders, under-education, criminality, unemployment, prostitution etc. The police dealt with over 2 800 cases related to drug offences and
21/ Observer's statement at fourth special session. 22/ Ibid.