NCJ Number
108835
Journal
Bulletin on Narcotics Volume: 39 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-March 1987) Pages: 3-30
Date Published
1987
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This article, based on information contained in two documents of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, summarizes information on drug abuse and measures to reduce the illicit demand for drugs at the global level and by region.
Abstract
Data in the two documents indicate that drug abuse continues unabated in most parts of the world. (The 1984-1985 data come from 105 countries and territories.) Heroin and cocaine abuse have escalated; other forms of substance abuse have also increased. The sharing of needles to inject drugs has increased the spread of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and hepatitis B. Adolescents are beginning drug use at earlier ages, and they begin their experimentation with substances such as volatile solvents that are easy to obtain. In most countries, drug use has spread to all social and economic classes. While the majority of drug abusers worldwide are males, the proportion of females who abuse drugs is increasing. 2 references.