Mr Chairman,
Dear Colleagues on the panel,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to share with you some of our key findings on the state of the European drugs problem.
Again this year, we offer you a detailed review of the latest situation in the 27 EU Member States… as well as information on Croatia, Norway and Turkey. When you read our report, I am sure that you will be impressed not only by the comprehensiveness of the data now available but also by the useful insights provided by a European level analysis. I must acknowledge, that I am privileged to work at the EMCDDA with a group of highly professional and dedicated staff, and it is their hard work, together with the considerable input and expertise we receive from our national partners – mainly in the Reitox network, that make this report possible.
In our report this year, there are some positive elements, but I would be failing in my duty if I did not point out that we also face some serious challenges and problems.
Let me start with positive messages: I can reinforce the statements I made here last year on trends in drug use in Europe. We have entered a relatively stable period in terms of drug use and drug-related harms. And in some important areas we see promising changes in young people’s attitudes towards drugs. At European level we continue to see signs of greater cohesion – and Europe has a stronger voice in the international debate on drugs. Inclusion is a key aspect of the European perspective and we have seen a growing recognition of the need to include Civil Society in the drugs debate – and I know the European Parliament has been active and influential in this respect.
Nevertheless: drug use levels remain high by historical standards; some of the most problematic forms of use are clearly not diminishing; and in some areas, notably cocaine, we are still seeing increases in use.
Let us now look at some specific aspects of drug use and the harm caused that we highlight in this year’s report.
[Cannabis]
I’ll start with cannabis…
Nearly a quarter of all European adults (about 71 million), have used cannabis at least once… and the proportion among young males is particularly high. We are becoming more aware of health and social problems associated with cannabis use. We are particularly concerned about the estimated 4 million Europeans who use the drug on a daily basis… about the rises in the number of those treated for cannabis problems in Europe – as well as about the growing recognition that the use of this drug can cause problems.
One positive development is that the data now strongly point to a decline in use – particularly in high prevalence countries and in younger age cohorts.
Less positively – on the supply side – we do see more domestically produced herbal cannabis in parts of Europe. This change appears to have happened quickly and we have launched a study this year to better understand this phenomenon. We know that home-produced cannabis is often more potent, and that controlling home production is a more difficult challenge for law-enforcement services.
[Heroin]
Hardly fashionable, but opiates – and especially heroin – remain at the centre of the European drug problem. Again the available data point to a relatively stable situation. However, the slow improvements we have been seeing for some years now appear to have stalled. And current signs lead us to conclude that the situation is not getting better, and may even be getting worse in some aspects – clearly an important area for vigilance and preparedness.
We cannot ignore the wider context here: global opium production has increased by one third resulting in more than 730 tons of heroin on the global market in 2007. In parallel, the number of heroin seizures increased in most reporting countries. And that is not taking into account the considerable increases we have seen in seizures in Turkey. There have also been regional findings all over Europe which show that – despite the very negative image of the drug – initiation to opioid use and injecting is still occurring. Given the slow recovery rate of those addicted to heroin, even a modest number of new recruits will ensure that the problem remains with us for the foreseeable future.
A further concern reported from some countries is the misuse of synthetic opiates – either drugs that have been diverted from medicinal use, or manufactured illicitly. An example here is Fentanyl, which is considerably more potent than heroin. Using this drug can be particularly hazardous as illustrated by the localised epidemic in Estonia, which in 2006 reported more than 70 Fentanyl-related fatal poisonings.
Despite these concerns, it is important to recognise that services for those with opiate problems have increased dramatically in Europe. Today substitution treatment is provided by virtually all EU Member States with around 600,000 cases treated each year. Provision is still not sufficient in all countries but we are now having an impact on the harms caused by this damaging drug.
[Cocaine and stimulants]
Some form of stimulant drug — such as amphetamines, ecstasy or cocaine — is the second most commonly consumed type of illicit substance in Europe today. Some 12 million Europeans have tried cocaine. Slightly fewer, 11 million have tried amphetamines and around 9.5 million ecstasy. New data show a somewhat divergent picture for stimulant use in Europe – with a stabilising or even declining trend in the use of amphetamines and ecstasy, contrasted with the increasing popularity and use of cocaine.
There is a distinct regional separation of stimulant markets. In southern and western Europe cocaine is much more prevalent – while in middle, northern and eastern Europe amphetamines still dominate. This divide is reflected to some extent in seizures – with over two thirds of all cocaine seized in the EU intercepted in either Spain or Portugal. West Africa continues to grow in importance as a transit point for cocaine – and I think we have to be concerned about the collateral damage that this is bringing to countries in this region.
[Harms caused]
Now a few remarks on the harms caused by illicit drugs, which go far beyond dependence on a particular substance.
In Europe, we estimate about 3 000 new cases of drug-related HIV infections every year. This figure may be low by historical comparison, yet it still represents a serious health problem. In most countries, over 40% of drug injectors are infected with hepatitis C. The long-term costs of treating this hidden health epidemic are going to be considerable.
On top of this, we estimate that there are 7 000 to 8 000 drug-induced deaths in Europe every year. Drug overdose is one of the leading causes of death among young Europeans. In simple terms, one of our young citizens dies from a drug overdose every hour – an appalling waste of life. A couple of years ago we were optimistic that levels of drug-related deaths were falling – this appears to be no longer the case with countries reporting small increases. Although most drug-related deaths in Europe are linked to opioid use, around 450 deaths can be directly attributed to cocaine – a worrying development.
We also cannot ignore the social harms associated with drug use. Much of the debate on cannabis at the moment is concerned with possible health problems – and rightly so. But I think it is equally important to look at the social and educational problems that can arise – particularly from intensive cannabis use among young people.
[Research, innovation, best practice, Europe’s response]
As already said, we have seen some stabilisation in drug use in Europe but if we are to make major inroads into this problem – it will be through more effective interventions and here innovation and research are critically important. I am pleased to report that there is growing discussion – supported by the European Commission – on the need for more European-based drugs research.
We are all aware of the growing pressures on health budgets and the public purse. This is why we must make sure the money we spend on drug prevention and treatment is well targeted. Our new publication on vulnerable groups reports on what is being done in Europe to target those with a higher probability of developing a drugs problem.
Innovation is by no means the prerogative of the health field. A new and innovative approach can be seen in the collaboration of national law enforcement agencies within the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre–Narcotics (MAOC-N), which is now playing a key role in fighting cocaine trafficking via the Atlantic – targeting the shipments of cocaine from South America to West Africa and Europe.
A growing part of our work is keeping track of new ideas, concepts and how they can be successfully implemented. Our goal is to ensure that progress made in the different parts of the European Union can be easily shared. And in our report you will find a number of interesting examples of best practice in the drugs field.
[Policy]
Now an update on policy and international developments…
2008 has been a year of unprecedented reflection on European and global drug issues. The EU drugs action plan (2005–2008) has been evaluated and a new one has been drawn up to take us into 2012. Activities at European level are mirrored at national level and today nearly all Member States have national drug policy documents, structured in many cases along EU lines – a demonstration of a growing European consensus on drug policy issues.
The international debate has been dominated by the progress review of the goals set at the 1998 UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS). The EU has put forward a strong and united position that is centred on a comprehensive, balanced and evidence-based approach. I think that one thing that the review has demonstrated is that by international comparison the European approach can be seen as both effective and humane. A de facto, yet flexible, European model has emerged that is very well perceived, not only within the EU but also worldwide.
Finally ,
Mr Chairman,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In this report – as in all our reports – our mission is the same – to bring you an accurate and comprehensive review of what is known about the drugs problem in Europe and the measures being taken to tackle it. We are committed to being both impartial and scientifically rigorous in our work – this is not always easy in such an emotive field where so many have strongly held views. Nonetheless, the value of our work comes from its independence and I hope that when you look at our report and the accompanying statistics on our website… they will allow you to gain more insight into the complex nature of the drugs problem we face in Europe.
Thank you very much for your attention, I welcome any questions you may have.
