E/CN.7/594 page 12
61.
Abuse of cannabis is widespread in the whole region. Twenty one countries indicate it. It appears that cannabis is the most widely abused drug or one of the main drugs of abuse in the Caribbean, in Central America and in North America, but in some South American countries it is also favoured by persons abusing other drugs. It is usually taken by young people often in combination with alcohol but sometimes mixed with other drugs. Two countries have observed the abuse of cannabis in combination with cocaine paste. In general, cannabis abuse is either stationary or on the increase. However. a decrease has been observed in Canada and Honduras. Treatment for cannabis abuse, mixed with other drugs, has been provided in two countries. Estimates indicate that abuse of cannabis is more prevalent in the Dominican Republic (two per thousand of the population and over), the United States (almost one in 10 of the population over) and St. Lucia (almost one in 20 of the entire population).
62.
10 years 10 years and
Abuse of stimulants (amphetamine type-drugs and cocaine) has sharply increased in recent years. In almost all countries where cocaine is abused, amphetamine abuse has also been observed. Amphetamines are taken by younger age groups, mainly students in Argentina, Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago; they are abused by adults in the United States of America where approximately 150 000 of the amphetamine abusers inject them. A large percentage of the cocaine abusers (over 200 000) in the United States take them by injection although the most common method of administration is intranasally. Abuse of cocaine and stimulants, particularly when injected, is mainly associated with severe psychological reactions and violent behaviour.
63. Coca chewing is widespread in the Andean countries such as Bolivia and Peru and also in the north west of Argentina.
64. Among the hallucinogens, LSD seems to be the most commonly abused drug. However Canada indicates increased abuse of phencyclidine.
65. Abuse of barbiturate-type drugs is also on the increase. Abuse of
me thaqualone/Mandrax but also of tranquillizers (Valium, Librium), often taken in combination with other drugs, seems to be the main feature which characterizes the abuse of this type of substances. Barbiturate-type drugs are mostly taken orally but they are also sometimes injected. In some countries their abuse is more frequently encountered among young persons.
In the United States abuse of barbiturates is more common among adults.
66.
Multiple drug abuse has been observed in a great number of countries. Barbiturate-type drugs (mainly methaqualone and benzodiazepines) and cannabis
are the substances more often taken in combination with other drugs, followed by alcohol, hallucinogens, amphetamines and cocaine.
seems to be cannabis or barbiturates with alcohol.
The most common combinations
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