Drugs sharply fell in Europe

In Europe, drugs have become more than ever. According to a five -year analysis of drug prices, published in the annual report of the Lisbon Agency, heroin prices fell by 45%, for cocaine - by 22%, Reuters said.

A sharp decrease in heroin prices in 1999-2004 was primarily caused by the fall of the Taliban movement in Afghanistan, after which the growth of drug production volumes began. The supply of heroin has much exceeded the demand for the drug, provoking a sharp increase in the number of drug addicts.

Afghanistan accounts for approximately 90% of the world production of opium - raw materials for the manufacture of heroin. Its volumes increased greatly after the invasion of the United States overthrew the government of the Islamist Taliban in 2001.

"Afghanistan is a key player in the global process of heroin production, and events in the country can have a significant impact on the situation with drugs that Europe will encounter in the near future," said the director of the European Drug and Drug Monitoring Center (EMCDDA).

In 2004, a record number of drugs in Europe, 19 tons, by 10% more than 2003, was confiscated, the report said. "We cannot ignore the growing excess of heroin in the world drug markets," said Gotz.

The report also reports that there are no specific data on drug prices on the streets, but unofficial information allows us to conclude that drugs are now cheaper than in the 1980s.

The price is one of the many factors that encourage people to use drugs, so it is difficult to distinguish any one reason that pushes people to drug addiction, the message is said.

“Nevertheless, we cannot but worry that in Europe drugs are becoming more and cheaper,” said EMCDDA chairman Markel Remen.

“If this means that people from the“ risk group ”will use more drugs, the price of such an increase in drug addiction for the healthcare system and the European community as a whole will be very significant,” he said.

Drug prices still vary significantly depending on the country: so the price of a gram of marijuana in Portugal is 2.3 euros, and in Norway 12 euros. In Turkey, a gram of heroin can be purchased for 12 euros, and in Sweden it will also cost 141 euros.