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Europeans
Release
2000
Drug
Report
10/20/00
The European Union's European
Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) has issued the
"2000 Annual Report on the State of the Drugs Problem in the European Union."
The report includes a comprehensive
review of trends in drug use and responses to it, prevalence of drug use
and abuse, a veritable compendium of drug statistics, and several sections
devoted to special topics, including drug substitution programs and issues
facing women drug users.
The annual report's data
and analysis provide a basis for drug policy decision-making throughout
the European Union.
Among the study's findings:
* Cannabis remains
the European Union's most widely used drug. 18% of European adults
have used the drug in their lifetimes and 6% within the last year.
The study notes a trend toward "convergence," with previously low prevalence
countries reporting increases in use while previously high use countries
saw levels stabilizing.
* Ecstasy and amphetamines
are the second most commonly used illicit drugs. The report notes,
however, that Ecstasy use is no longer increasing.
* There are 1.5 million
"problem drug users," primarily heroin addicts in the European Union, a
million of whom would meet clinical criteria for "dependency." Hepatitis
C is widespread in this population.
*National drug policies are
becoming more balanced and decriminalization of drug offenses is becoming
more common. The report says a "consensus" is emerging that drug
users should not be imprisoned but treated for their addictions.
The entire 43-page report
is available on the EMCDDA website at
http://emcdda.kpnqwest.pt/publications/publications_annrep_00.html.
-- END --
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Issue #156, 10/20/00
Drug Czar Resigns, McCaffrey to Step Down January 6th | Slouching Toward Putumayo: Plan Colombia Gears Up, Battle Front Heats Up, Europeans Throw Their Hands Up, Rights Group Issues Heads Up | Drug War Toll from Police Shootings Continues to Rise -- How Many Dead? Nobody Knows Because Congress Doesn't Care | West Coast Forward, East Cost Back: San Diego Needle Exchange One Step Closer, Defeat in Prince George's County, Maryland | Follow That Story: Tulia Relief Fund Issues Appeal | Barney Frank Makes Drug War an Issue, Again | Europeans Release 2000 Drug Report | The Reformer's Calendar | Editorial: Saying Goodbye (and Good Riddance) to a Drug Czar
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