Stimulant use among clients entering drug treatment in Europe

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore the prevalence of primary illicit stimulant use among people who enter drug treatment in Europe. Drawing on information provided by European Union treatment centres in 2009 (excluding Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal and Norway), the European Monitoring Centre for Drug and Drug Addiction showed data in relation to the analysis of two of the most problematic drugs: cocaine and stimulants other than cocaine. The analysis reached three conclusions: the primary use of stimulants (cocaine and amphetamines) among clients entering treatment appears to be widespread throughout Europe; stimulant use including different forms of stimulants varied from country to country and two geographical patterns emerge across Europe: North-Eastern European countries show high levels of prevalence of problematic use of amphetamines and methamphetamines, while South-Western countries report high levels of problematic use of cocaine.

Notes

Notes

1. It has to be noted that the TDI protocol version 2.0 was under revision. The new TDI protocol version 3.0 is now finalized and should be soon available at the EMCDDA website.

2. For more information please see Table PDU-102-part I in the 2011 EMCDDA statistical bulletin.

3. However, it has to be noted that the proportion of problem drug users may be relatively small, and prevalence estimates vary considerably in different settings and groups: studies from selected nightlife settings in nine countries in 2008 reported lifetime prevalence estimates for amphetamines use ranging from 5% to 69% (EMCDDA, 2010b).