E/CN.7/594 page 31
156. The increasing abuse of cocaine which has recently developed, particularly in the Americas and Europe, is also an important characteristic of drug abuse. Cocaine is abused to a very small extent in certain countries of other regions.
Psychotropic substances
157. The tendency to abuse psychotropic substances continues to increase in all regions. Abuse of barbiturate type drugs (methaqualone, tranquillizers) shows an upward trend in most countries. Methaqualone is taken predominatly by young people while the abuse of barbiturates is more commonly encountered among middle-aged persons. Increased abuse of amphetamine type drugs among young pepole is also a current pattern in all regions. The abuse of LSD and other hallucinogens is on the increase in some countries, predominantly among young people.
Multiple drug abuse
158. An increasing tendency to use combinations of drugs is one of the major characteristics of the present drug abuse patterns in all regions. Although drugs are used in all kinds of combinations, cannabis, alcohol and barbiturate type drugs are those most commonly involved.