Drug Abuse in the Global Village
Slovenia
EXTENT, PATTERNS AND TRENDS IN DRUG ABUSE
Extent of Drug Abuse
Cannabis is the most abused drug in Slovenia. Heroin is becoming increasingly abused with an estimated 3000 addicts in 1993 and approximately 400 kg consumed yearly. Opium, morphine and LSD are also abused. Cocaine has appeared on the illicit market in recent years (Report 1993).
Abuser Characteristics
Out of the 91 persons convicted of consuming drugs in 1992, 36% were between 18 and 21, 34% between 22 and 30, 19% below 18 and 11% over 30 years of age. In 1991 (110 persons), these proportions were 37%, 36%, 20% and 8% respectively (Report 1993).
Regional Variations
Drugs are abused throughout Slovenia, but most felonies for drug consumption in 1991 and 1992 were observed in the capital, Ljubljana. Illicit manufacture and trafficking offences in 1992 were the highest in Koper (South West region), Ljubljana and Celje (Eastern region) (Report 1993).
Trends
Drug abuse is reported as increasing throughout the country and the age of the abusers is decreasing (Report 1993).
Mode of intake
No information reported by 31st December 1993.
COSTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF ABUSE
In 1992, 10 deaths due to drugs overdose (5 in 1991, 3 in 1990) were reported (Report 1993).
Among the 27 AIDS cases reported as of June 1993, 2 were intravenous drug abusers (7.4%) (AIDS Surveillance 1993).
NATIONAL RESPONSES TO DRUG ABUSE
National Strategy
No information reported by 31st December 1993.
LEGAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER ACTION
TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT THE INTERNATIONAL
DRUG CONTROL TREATIES**
Treaty adherence
Slovenia is Party to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs as amended by the 1972 Protocol, 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
DEMAND REDUCTION ACTIVITIES
Primary Prevention
No information reported by 31st December 1993.
Treatment and Rehabilitation
No information reported by 31st December 1993.
SUPPLY REDUCTION ACTIVITIES
Arrests, Convictions and types of Offences
The numbers of criminal offences and violations related to illicit drugs have increased between 1990 and 1992 (198 offences and 153 violations in 1990, 264 offences and 255 violations in 1992) (Report 1992).
Seizures
Quantities of seized drugs have increased between 1989 and 1991, as shown in table 1.
Table 1. Seizures of illicit drugs 1989-1991.
1989 1990 1991
Heroin 0.493kg 21.107kg 8.723 kg
LSD 119 units 752 units 846 units
Cannabis
oil 5 g 25 ml -
Cannabis
resin 0.035 kg 1.257 kg 15.000 kg
Herbal
cannabis 2.684 kg 14.887 kg 12.640 kg
Cannabis
plants 1 865 units 4 575 units 1 670 units
Cocaine 0.005kg 1.080kg 22.085 kg
Morphine 0.029 kg 2.580 kg -
Source: Report of Slovenia to the "Kriminal Kynology 1992 Conference", Budapest, 23-25 September 1992.
Supply Source of Drugs
Most cannabis is grown in Slovenia, but cannabis resin originates mainly from Morocco. LSD had been manufactured in Slovenia, but following the arrest of the producer, is now mainly supplied from the Netherlands. Heroin seized in Slovenia in 1992 came mainly from Turkey (Report 1993).
References and Notes
** The Legal, Administrative and Other Action Taken to Implement the International Drug Control Treaties section was prepared by the Secretariat of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs based on Annual Reports Questionnaires for the years .... (not available by January 15th 1994).
Report 1993. Narcotics Department Report, January 1993. Ministry of Interior, Criminal Police Directorate.
AIDS Surveillance 1993. AIDS surveillance in Europe, Quarterly report No 38. 30 June 1993
Report 1992. Report of Slovenia to the "Kriminal Kynology 1992 Conference", Budapest, 23-25 September 1992.