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| Steep rise in Europe cocaine use | Steep rise in Europe cocaine use |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| An annual report on drug use says around 4.5 million Europeans are likely to have used cocaine in the past year - a million more than in 2006. | An annual report on drug use says around 4.5 million Europeans are likely to have used cocaine in the past year - a million more than in 2006. |
| The EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) says the increase in cocaine seizures and quantities also confirms its status as "Europe's stimulant drug of choice". | The EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) says the increase in cocaine seizures and quantities also confirms its status as "Europe's stimulant drug of choice". |
| Prevalence of the drug is highest in Spain and the UK but the biggest increases are in Denmark and Italy. | Prevalence of the drug is highest in Spain and the UK but the biggest increases are in Denmark and Italy. |
| About two million Europeans are said to have used cocaine in the past month. | About two million Europeans are said to have used cocaine in the past month. |
| Seizures of cocaine have reached record levels, with 107 tons of the drug being seized in 2005 - up more than 45% on the previous year. | Seizures of cocaine have reached record levels, with 107 tons of the drug being seized in 2005 - up more than 45% on the previous year. |
| Spain and Portugal are the main points of entry into Europe. | Spain and Portugal are the main points of entry into Europe. |
| Impact on health | Impact on health |
| The EU drugs agency says the rise in demand for treatment is an indication of how cocaine use is affecting public health. | The EU drugs agency says the rise in demand for treatment is an indication of how cocaine use is affecting public health. |
| EU countries' data on recorded drugs offences indexed to a base of 100 in the year 2000, then weighted to reflect varying population sizes Read the full report [701k] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | |
| It says that in 2005, 22% of all new requests for help were cocaine-related, almost three times the figure for 1999. | It says that in 2005, 22% of all new requests for help were cocaine-related, almost three times the figure for 1999. |
| Spain and the Netherlands had the majority of reports of treatment. | Spain and the Netherlands had the majority of reports of treatment. |
| Around 400 deaths relating to cocaine were reported in 2005. | Around 400 deaths relating to cocaine were reported in 2005. |
| The agency says current systems make it difficult to detect the health consequences. | The agency says current systems make it difficult to detect the health consequences. |
| Cannabis is still the most commonly used illicit drug in Europe, but the agency says there are signs of its popularity waning among the young. | Cannabis is still the most commonly used illicit drug in Europe, but the agency says there are signs of its popularity waning among the young. |
| Nevertheless, it warns that some 7% (23 million) Europeans have taken it in the past year and about three million people may be using it on a daily, or almost-daily, basis. | Nevertheless, it warns that some 7% (23 million) Europeans have taken it in the past year and about three million people may be using it on a daily, or almost-daily, basis. |