DRUG USE GROWING BUT NOT "TRAGIC"

Drug use is on the rise with a resurgence of sniffing in Hungary, according
to the drug expert of the Hungarian United Nations Association.

Andras Veer announced the results at the presentation of the UN's annual
worldwide drugs report.

"What Hungary desperately needs is the creation of a national drug
strategy," said Veer, who participated in the drafting of such a plan last
year.

After the May elections, however, a new team started work on the project and
Veer is no longer involved.

"Currently I do not think that the drug situation is tragic in Hungary.But
if a strategy is not agreed upon soon, the problem will worsen rapidly,"
Veer said.

He added that as drug addicts usually get into the health care system in
their seventh year of abuse, a wave of seriously ill drug addicts is due to
arrive at Hungarian hospitals this year and next.

"The drug explosion took place in 1992 in Hungary, so these people will
start to boost the statistics from now on," he said.

While 20 to 30 people died last year of drug overdose, 10 have died this
year in the first two month alone.

In the report, Hungary is listed as one of several countries being used more
and more frequently by dealers and traffickers because of its geographical
location.

"Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia are being used as storage and
distribution centers, mainly for heroin," he said.

As for local preferences, synthetic drugs such as Ecstacy and speed take the
lead, which matches the worldwide picture.

Next comes marijuana, but heroin use is still marginal, Veer said.

He said prevention should be prioritized over punishment.

"While there are no sanctions against someone who uses drugs in Denmark or
Italy, the percentage of drug users is still low.

"In England, although there is a seven-month prison sentence in line for
drug users, the statistics are a lot worse," Veer said.

He added that the results of any preventative campaign would only be visible
in 10 years' time.