27. BERMUDA
E/CN.7/594 page 7
Cannabis is the main drug of abuse. It is grown locally for the internal market. It seems, according to the amount of drugs seized and to the number of persons prosecuted, that the drug abuse situation has stabilized since 1973. Only the amount of LSD seized in 1975 has increased (26 tablets in 1974, 1 510 tablets in 1975).
28. BOLIVIA
10/
Farmers in Bolivia have been chewing coca leaves for many generations in order to reduce hunger and endure hard work. A large proportion of coca leaves is absorbed by this habit of the native population. However, the remainder is converted clandestinely into crude cocaine. The Government of Bolivia is undertaking control measures with a view to rationalizing (registration and limitation of plantations) the growing of the coca bush and avoiding over- production of coca leaves. Because drugs can be obtained at very low cost, Bolivia has been considered by many tourists as a "drug paradise"; 375 foreigners were expelled for using narcatic drugs in 1975.
29. BRAZIL
Cannabis, which grows in the country, is the most commonly drug abused. Abuse of psychotropic substances also occurs. These two types of drug abuse are more commonly encountered in the 12-25 year age group. Cocaine, which is smuggled from neighbouring countries, is also abused. There is abuse of LSD coming from North America too. The number of prosecutions for drug offences rose slightly in 1975. Drug abuse is associated with social maladjustments and may cause psychotic reactions. Drugs are often taken in combination with alcohol.
11/ 30. CANADA
Abuse of mostly all drugs continued to increase during 1975. Cannabis is the most widely used prohibited substance, but a decrease in the number of abusers has been observed (36 494 in 1974, 28 767 in 1975). Cannabis is usually smoked. The illicit use of cocaine continued to increase sharply (774 in 1974, 1 077 in 1975). Cocaine is taken by injection or inhalation and its abuse is a cause of concern for health and enforcement personnel. Dependence on opiates, particularly heroin (by injection or inhalation), continued to augment steadily (10 333 in 1974, 11 231 in 1975). Hallucinogens continued to be abused in particular LSD, MDA and phencyclidine. However, the use of LSD decreased in 1975 (3 630 in 1974, 2 344 in 1975). Abuse of phencyclidine, a potent substance with hallucinogenic effects, spread largely in 1975 (a few cases in previous years, 931 in 1975): hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and hydrocodone (an ingredient in some cough preparations) appeared to be popular among addicts; they attempted to obtain these substances either illicitly or by persuading physicians to issue them prescriptions. Abuse of all kinds of drugs is most common among persons in the 20-30 age group. The trend in Canada has been toward multiple drug abuse, the most common combinations being: opiates and barbiturates; methadone and barbitu- rates; cannabis and narcotics or hallucinogens; hallucinogens and cocaine or phencyclidine. Approximately 1 000 drug abuses were treated in any given, month in the treatment centres operated by provinces and runicipalities. Of these 318 were cases first identified during 1975. Heroin, other opiates and synthetic narcotics were the most commonly abused drugs by the persons receiving treatment.
10/ An observer's statement at fourth special session and INCB report for 1975. 11/ Statement by representative at fourth special session.