Russian supply chain sees drug use rising

Date: 18/11/04

A REPORT to be published next week voices concern at a rise in drug use in the Baltic states.

The annual report of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction will state that there has been an increase in consumption in all types of drugs in the past year, particularly in Estonia and Latvia.

The Lisbon-based EU drugs agency says that the rise reflects the need for more concerted effort to cut off drug supplies to the two countries, especially from Russia, its main supplier.

Georges Estievenart, executive director of the agency, said: "Consumption in the region, particularly in these two member states, has risen in everything from heroin to cannabis.

"Clearly, member states and the various agencies involved have to do more to tackle the problem and one of the first steps which could be taken is to make more effort to cut off supplies from Russia."

Estievenart added: "Although the agency is not in a position to make recommendations, I would certainly like to see closer monitoring of the drug situation in the Baltic states and closer cooperation between member states to address this issue."

The report, which is due to be published next Thursday (25 November), follows a recent European Commission report which stated that almost four out of five young Europeans say that getting hold of illegal drugs is easy.

The study, Young People and Drugs, presents a disturbing picture of the widespread use of drugs across Europe and of the ignorance of teenagers of the dangers of hard drugs.

More than four out of five young people across the EU think heroin is a more dangerous drug than cocaine or crack. In the poll, cannabis is rated just above cigarettes and alcohol by those surveyed, in terms of its impact on health.

Cannabis use has also become more common since the last EU poll was carried out in 2002.

Preview of the 2004 annual report of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, to be released on 25 November 2004. The report identifies an increase in consumption in all types of drugs in the Baltic states in 2004, particularly in Estonia and Latvia.

EMCDDA: Homepage http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/

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