107. SWEDEN 29/ The drug abuse situation is in the process of stabilization after an increase in drug abuse which started in the 1960's. This trend is confirmed by the results of various surveys of the population such as students. conscripts, etc. as well as by the amount of drugs seized which has also decreased. Young people are less curious about drugs. This change in the attitudes of the younger generation is due to appropriate preventive programmes. Cannabis is the main drug of abuse. In the large cities, there are several thousands of persons who heavily misuse amphetamines (over 39 kg of amphetamines were seized in 1;75). Raw morphine and heroin are abused but not to a large extent. Heroin appeared on the illicit market in 1975, it is smoked or injected; some signs indicate that its abuse is spreading. Abuse of barbiturates is on the increase; these drugs are either illegally introduced or come from legal sources (medical prescriptions). It has been found that about 50 per cent of drug abusers treated in hospitals were misusing barbiturates.
108. SWITZERLAND 30/ There has been a significant increase in the demand for illicit drugs, which is confirmed by the increased amounts of drugs seized and the increased number of drug offences in recent years. Abuse of heroin has augmented since 1974 and considerable amounts of heroin, mainly "brown sugar" were seized in 1975 (21 101 kg). Hashish continues to be the most widespread drug of abuse. Abuse of cannabis oil and cocaine has also increased since 1974. (Over 21 kilogrammes of cocaine and more than 15 kilogrammes of cannabis oil were seized in 1975). The abuse of drugs has important economic consequences. An example which may illustrate this is given by the S. Fr. 1 440 000 spent monthly by the 400 opiate addicts who live in Basle (an important urban centre) injecting daily their dose of morphine or heroin. This figure does not include the occasional or regular abuses of LSD or hashish who live in the same city. There have been 33 drug related deaths and 70 breaking into pharmacies in 1975. It is estimated that there are between 25 000 and 30 000 dependent persons in Switzerland. It seems that the "hard core" population of "fixers" has tripled since 1971 and that it is estimated at about 13 000 persons. A rough estimate made by the Swiss authorities shows that about S.Fr. 650 000 daily is spent on illicit drugs amounting to S.Fr. 240 million per year.
109.
TURKEY No information has been provided regarding the drug abuse situation in the country. Indicators, however, show that the number of persons arrested for drug offences as well as the amount of drugs seized have sharply increased. The 20-40 age group is the most prominent among the persons prosecuted for drug offences; they are workers, craftsmen or unemployed.
110. UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLIC The number of registered drug dependent persons has remained about the same for over 20 years.
There are
3 228 drug addicts; a small number of abusers take tranquillizers and barbiturates (mainly glutethimide). Barbitures account for 1.5 per cent of all drug abuse (1.8% in 1974). Glutethimide has been brought under special control. As in previous years, the principal types of narcotics abused are opium products (codeine and morphine); of the whole number of registered addicts, the percentage of opiate abusers fell from 23 per cent in 1974 to 21.6 per cent in 1975. This decrease may be partly due to the cessation of opium poppy cultivation.
29/ Statement by representative at fourth special session.
Information Bulletin of the Swiss Customs Authorities.
30/
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