New study shows increasing use of 'legal highs' among young Europeans
27 Jun 2014 12:32 PM
The use of
new substances imitating the effects of illicit drugs (‘legal
highs’) has risen considerably among young people in the EU, according to
figures released in a Eurobarometer study on young people and drugs. On
the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit
Trafficking, the European Commission renews its commitment to taking firm
action to protect young people from the dangers of 'legal
highs'.
"The
European Commission has proposed legislation to protect young people against
harmful new psychoactive substances. The findings issued today prove that there
is no time to lose: the new rules must be put in place swiftly so that we can
prevent dangerous substances from emerging on the European
market," said Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU’s
Justice Commissioner. "’Legal highs’ are lethal, and this
growing problem in Europe is putting our young people at risk. A borderless
internal market means we need common EU rules to tackle this
problem."
Here are some key
findings from the Eurobarometer "Young people and drugs":
-
The
average EU consumption of ‘legal highs’ among young people (15-24
years) has increased from 5% in 2011 to 8% in
2014. The highest increases occurred in Spain (5% to 13%),
Ireland (16% to 22%), and the UK (8% to 10%).
-
Young
people consider that ‘legal highs’ are easier to acquire
than ecstasy and heroin. 15% of young people
stated they could obtain new psychoactive substances 'very easily' or
'quite easily' within the next 24 hours, whereas this percentage is 13%
for ecstasy and 9% for heroin (see figure 3).
-
Among
those who have used such substances, more than two out of three got them from a
friend (68%). Only 3% had acquired
‘legal highs’ online.
-
More than
half of respondents (57%) think that using new psychoactive substances or
ecstasy once or twice may pose a high risk to a person’s health –
62% have this view regarding cocaine. Only 21% consider that using cannabis
once or twice may pose high risks.
-
Almost one
fifth of young people (17%) have used cannabis in the past 12 months, an
increase from 14% in 2011.
-
35% of
young people think that new substances should be banned under any
circumstances, while 47% advocate this only if they pose a risk to health. A
little more than half of respondents (53%) believe that cannabis should
continue to be banned. Most respondents consider that heroin, cocaine and ecstasyshould continue
being banned.
This is a summary
of the findings published on the occasion of International Day against Drug
Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The full Eurobarometer study will be available
in the coming weeks.
New legislation on
new psychoactive substances
On 17 September
2013, the Commission proposed to strengthen the European Union’s ability
to respond to ‘legal highs’ by having a quicker mechanism to
withdraw harmful psychoactive substances from the market (IP/13/837). On 17 April
2014, the European Parliament voted to back the proposals (IP/14/461).
EU countries have flagged more
than 360 new psychoactive substances through the Early Warning System since 1997.
Ten substances have been submitted to control measures across the EU, following
proposals from the European Commission – most recently, Mephedrone, 4-MA
and 5-IT.
On 16
June this year, the European Commission proposed to ban four new psychoactive substances,
which simulate the effects of illicit drugs such as heroin or LSD - MDPV,
25I-NBOMe, AH-7921 and methoxetamine. In addition, the European Commission is
assessing reports on two more new psychoactive substances –
4,4’-DMAR and MT-45 - to see if there are grounds to propose bans later
this year.
For more
information
2014 Eurobarometer preliminary results "Young
people and drugs":
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/flash_ar
ch_404_391_en.htm#401
2011 Eurobarometer
on "Youth attitudes on drugs”
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl_330_en.p
df
European Commission - New drugs:
http://ec.europa.eu/justice/anti-drugs/new-drugs/ind
ex_en.htm
Homepage of
Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission and EU Justice
Commissioner:
http://ec.europa.eu/reding<
/p>
Follow the Vice-President on
Twitter: @VivianeRedingEU
Follow EU Justice on Twitter: @EU_Justice
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