NCJ Number
213568
Date Published
2005
Length
96 pages
Annotation
This report examines drug trends in European Union Member States.
Abstract
Chapter 1 addresses new developments in policies and laws that impact drug-related behaviors and offenses throughout Europe. The European Union’s new drug strategy to span from 2005 through 2012 is discussed, which sets out two general goals: (1) to achieve a high level of health protection, well-being, and social cohesion by complementing member states’ drug prevention and reduction actions; and (2) to ensure a high level of security for the general public through effective anti-drug cooperation among member states. Chapter 2 discusses the intersection of schools, youths, and drugs, shining attention on the prevalence and patterns of drug use among youths in Europe as well as new developments in drug treatment. Chapter 3 explores the prevalence and patterns of cannabis use in Europe, which suggest that cannabis is the most commonly used illicit substance in Europe. Chapter 4 moves on to an examination of the patterns of amphetamine-type stimulant abuse, LSD abuse, and abuse of other synthetic drugs. Trend analysis suggests that use of amphetamine and ecstasy will likely continue to increase in Europe over the next several years. Chapter 5 turns to a discussion of cocaine and crack cocaine prevalence estimates and abuse pattern, which shows that while the prevalence of cocaine varies considerably across European countries, its abuse continues to rise. Chapter 6 describes heroin and other injecting drug abuse patterns in Europe, which include an examination of drug-related infectious diseases such as HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis B and C. Although the evidence is difficult to interpret, injection drug use appears to be declining in Europe. Chapter 7 focuses on drug-related crime and prison issues, including a discussion of the link between drug use and economic crimes and the problem of managing drug users in prisons. Figures, tables, footnotes, references