PREVENTING ILLICIT DRUG ABUSE

The spread of illicit drugs abuse has slowed after 50 years of significant
growth, but more remains to be done to boost prevention and treatment
policies around the globe, the United Nations says in a new report released
recently.

According to the World Drug Report 2004, launched by the UN Office on Drugs
and Crime (UNODC), some 185 million people -- less than one out of 30
adults or 3 per cent of the world population aged 15 to 64 -- have used
illegal drugs in the past year.

The study also found that the process of extracting cocaine from coca
leaves has declined by 30 per cent over the past four years. Despite these
encouraging results, "current levels of illicit drug use, together with the
health consequences and criminal activities associated with it, are clearly
unacceptable," UNODC chief, Mr Antonia Maria Costa said at a press
conference in Moscow. He called for stronger prevention and treatment
policies in response.

By far the most widely abused substance is cannabis, used at least once a
year by more than 150 million people. the report calls the cannabis market
"buoyant" and points to increasing consumption in South America as well as
expanding markets in eastern Europe and Africa.

Cannabis use is followed by amphetamine-type stimulants, with 38 million
users, 8 million of which use ecstasy. Smaller number of people abuse
cocaine (13 millions) or opiates such as heroin, morphine and opium (15
million).

In terms of health, opiates rank as the most serious problem, accounting
for the majority of people seeking drug treatment in Asia and europe. In
South-East Asia, methampethamines have become the main problem drug, UNODC
said. Cocaine still comes first on the American continent as a whole, but
in the United States, cocaine abuse among the students has been declining.

The report was launched in conjunction with the International Day against
Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which is observed each year on June 26
to commemorate the signature of the declaration adopted at the
International Conference against Drug Abuse and Illicit trafficking in 1987.

As another part of the Day's observance, UNODC also announced a year-long
campaign to promote the importance and effectiveness of drug treatment to
drug-dependent individuals, as well as to the general public.

With the theme "Drugs: treatment works," the campaign aims to diminish the
stigma attached to drug users by illustrating the possibilities for a
positive future, using the stories of individuals who have successfully
undergone treatment and are engaged in productive lives. --UN Newsletter