E/CN.7/594 page 19
268 persons violated the law on narcotics. Abuse of drugs is found correlated with immature or disturbed personalities, with persons having serious personal problems, as well as with people unable to keep stable personal relations. About 2 000 abusers have been treated within the treatment and rehabilitation centres run by the local authorities. In 1975, over 860 kilogrammes of
cannabis were seized and considerable amounts of morphine were confiscated (over 5 kg and more than 11 000 pills).
90. FINLAND It is estimated that some 15 000 youngsters between 18 and
20 years old smoke cannabis. About 3 000 persons have been treated for cannabis and alcohol abuse. There is also abuse of opiates by injection (200 persons) and abuse of hallucinogens (200 persons).
91. FRANCE 23/ There were 3 088 persons, mostly male, between 15 and 20 years old, arrested for drug abuse offences, an increase of 5 per cent compared with 1974. Cannabis is the main drug of abuse (64%) followed by LSD (12.7%) stimulants and depressants (11), heroin (5.8%), morphine (3.5%), cocaine (1.2%) and opium (1%). However, these persons are in fact multiple drug abusers. Al hough heroin addiction has been contained, it seems that after two years of decrease, it is spreading again. Heroin, mostly "brown sugar" (over 73 kg seized in 1975) is introduced illegally from Amsterdam. Cannabis abuse is widespread (more than 4 500 kg of cannabis resin and over 14 kg of liquid cannabis seized). Drug abusers are younger than in previous years. Abuse of psychotropic substances, either from illicit sources or deviated from licit sources (68 000 tablets of amphetamines and other stimulants seized), are frequently abused in combination with alcohol or with other drugs.
There were
7 360 doses of LSD seized. Pyrovalerone, a pharmaceutical product with effects akin to those of cocaine is taken intravenously by young addicts. This drug and its salts have been put under control and cannot be purchased without a special doctor 's prescription. The most disturbing aspect of the 1975 figures is the increase in the number of deaths due to drug abuse (13 in 1973, 37 in 1975) of which 20 were due to the abuse of pharmaceutical drugs.
92. GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC There has been a decrease (350 in 1974, 100 in 1975) in the number of persons abusing drugs. Opium and its derivatives, morphine, pethidine, codeine and methaphetamine are the main drugs abused. A few persons have been treated for abuse of opium or opium derivatives. In 1975 over 81 kilogrammes of cannabis resin were seized and some persons were prosecuted for cannabis offences.
93. GERMANY, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF 24/ There is an increase in the abuse of drugs which coincides with the increase in the consumption of alcohol by young people who take drugs as a way of escaping from their own personal problems. However, the number of experimental and occasional drug users has continued to decline. The number of persons arrested in connexion with drug offences during 1975 was 30 959. The hard core of drug abusers is estimated at about 40 000 young people between 14 and 25. Within this group, the proportion of those addicted to opiates (particularly heroin) seems to be increasing.
Cannabis is
Statement by representative at fourth special session.
23
24/ Ibid.