E/CN.7/594 page 25
120. Cannabis continues to be the main drug of abuse among young people. The most impressive feature being the considerable amounts of liquid cannabis seized in 14 countries of this region in 1975. In some countries, seizures of liquid cannabis were over 80 kilogrammes. Its abuse is prevalent in a certain number of countries, in some it has appeared sporadically and in others its abuse is spreading widely. Cannabis is often taken on an experimental or occasional basis but also in association with other drugs.
121. Abuse of cocaine is increasing in Switzerland and appears to be serious in Portugal, where cocaine is often injected, as well as in Italy, where it is taken by young people. Sporadic cocaine abuse is indicated by four other countries. Abuse of Pyrovalerone, a new pharmaceutical product with effects akin to those produced by cocaine, has been observed in France. Twelve countries made cocaine seizures during 1975.
122. LSD continues to be one of the main drugs of abuse in some countries, (France, Luxembourg, Spain) together with cannabis. In other countries, its abuse is sporadic. Still in others, LSD abuse is spreading. Seventeen countries seized LSD during 1975. Czechoslovakia and Poland indicated the abuse of trihexyphenidyl, a substance related to atropine and scopolamine, which has delirious effects.
123. Abuse of barbiturate-type drugs seems to have augmented. This is evident from the increasing number of countries pointing out this pattern. Barbiturates are sometimes taken by injection or are the preferred drug of "hard core" addicts needing treatment which calls for skilled medical nursing and social care. Abuse of me thaqualone or Mandrax is indicated by several countries. Another interesting pattern is the misuse of licitly prescribed barbiturate-type drugs.
124. Amphetamine-type drugs are increasingly abused. Over twelve countries have reported this type of abuse and seizures have been made in 15 countries. Heavy abuse of amphetamines appears to occur in Portugal and Sweden. Abuse of amphetamines by young people is mentioned by several countries. Abuse of amphetamines licitly prescribed or deviated from licit sources has been observed in several countries.
125. Multiple drug abuse has been reported by a number of countries of the region. All types of drugs are involved, the combination of psychotropic substances with alcohol being pointed out in several reports. Other common combinations are hallucinogens (LSD) taken in association with cannabis or vice versa and the combination of morphine with other opiates.
NEAR AND MIDDLE EAST
A. Extent, patterns and trends of drug abuse by countries
126. AFGHANISTAN Opium and cannabis are the major drugs of abuse. It seems that a considerable opium abuse problem persists in the Province of Badakshan. There were 177 persons arrested for drug offences, mainly involving hashish, opium, liquid cannabis, morphine and heroin.
127. BAHRAIN The principal drugs abused are cannabis and opium. It is estimated that 800 persons abuse cannabis (by smoking and orally) and 200 persons are
addicted to opium (also by smoking and orally). Drug offences also involved cannabis and opium. There have also been some seizures of morphine.
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