E/CN.7/594 page 24
114.
YUGOSLAVIA Sporadic cases of abuse of drugs among young people in the main cities have been detected. The total number of persons found guilty for drug offences was 141. More than 4 600 tablets of barbiturate type drugs, 1 500 ampoules of different opiates, over 2 700 codeine tablets and 450 kilogrammes of cannabis were seized in 1975.
115. GIBRALTAR It is estimated that some 250 persons, mostly between 14 and 25 years of age, abuse cannabis. Although no definite pattern has emerged, it has been observed that cannabis abusers come from less privileged families.
B.
Main characteristics of drug abuse in Europe
116. The following appear to be the most striking features in drug abuse from the information received from 28 countries and one territory: (i) a generally increasing tendency to abuse drugs, particularly by young people, and, in some countries, a deterioration of the situation; (ii) widespread abuse of cannabis and opiates; (iii) a noticeable increase in the abuse of psychotropic substances, in particular barbiturate-type drugs and amphetamines but also hallucinogens; (iv) a general trend towards multiple drug abuse; (v) an increase in some countries of the abuse of cocaine; (vi) important social, health and economic problems associated with drug abuse; (vii) some abuse of volatile solvents.
117. The upward trend in drug abuse in most countries is confirmed by the number of abusers registered or by the estimates made by national authorities as well as by the number of persons involved in drug offences. Burglaries of pharmacies are mentioned by a certain number of countries and forged prescriptions to obtain drugs have been reported too (in Belgium to obtain methadone in particular). In three countries, deterioration in the abuse of drugs emerges from an increase in the number of drug-related deaths. Young people are involved in taking cannabis, LSD, amphetamines, opiates, barbiturates and to some extent cocaine.
118.
In most of the reports, significant social, health and economic problems have been emphasized. The most striking fact reported may well be the economic consequences of drug addiction pointed out by Switzerland. In this country, above 13 000 drug abusers inject drugs (fixers), their number having tripled since 1971. Rough estimates show that 240 million Swiss francs ale spent every year on illicit drugs in Switzerland. Other aspects of drug abuse which are often emphasized are the psycho-social problems associated with the abuse of opiates, barbiturates and amphetamines.
119. Abuse of opiates seems to be a considerable problem in a great number of countries (24 countries reported this type of abuse). This trend is also illustrated by the amounts of heroin seized (311 kg in 1975, 100 kg in 1974) in 18 countries. It should also be noted that there has been an increase of opiate addiction in eight countries and that heroin, morphine and methadone are increasingly abused by injection. There is an increasing tendency to abuse heroin, mostly "brown sugar" from south-east Asia, in some countries. Drug abuse surveys show that there is over-consumption of licitly prescribed narcotic drugs. This has also been observed by the authorities.