Portugal had the world’s second-highest consumption of the insomnia drug zolpidem in 2022 and one of the highest consumption of the anesthetic and sedative ketamine, according to a report by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB).
Uruguay reported to INCB the highest level of zolpidem consumption in the world in 2022, followed by Portugal, but overall among the 64 countries and territories that provided data, average zolpidem consumption in Europe “was significantly higher” than in other regions.
Like diazepam and phenobarbital, zolpidem is one of the most commercialized psychotropic substances under international control, the organization emphasizes, adding that its production increased from 38.2 tons in 2021 to 39.1 tons in 2022.
The report provides the first data on ketamine consumption, which increased across Europe in 2022, with the highest rates observed in cities in Portugal, Spain, Italy and Denmark.
The European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have noted an increase in non-medical use of ketamine across Europe in 2022, which INCB says raises concerns about potentially serious consequences. health consequences.
Belgium, France, Italy and Spain have recorded an increase in the number of people seeking treatment for substance use, highlighting the need for INCB to closely monitor use and public health impacts.
The report states that from December 2022 to January 2023, several European countries, including Portugal, participated in INCB operations to combat the illicit production and distribution of various substances, including ketamine, which was transported through postal and courier services.
The EMCDDA’s annual wastewater report included data from 104 cities, which showed that cocaine use remains high in cities located in Western and Southern Europe, particularly in Portugal, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands.
According to the document, the largest amounts of MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) were also found in Portugal, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands.
INCB notes the “rapid emergence” of a wider range of substances on the market and increasingly complex patterns of drug use, warning that limited knowledge about the health risks associated with new synthetic drugs poses “serious challenges” to the provision of treatment and services to reduce negative health and social consequences of using such drugs.
“Law enforcement and health authorities need more support in monitoring the situation and educating consumers about the health risks associated with polydrug abuse,” he warns.
The organization also criticizes in the document various European countries that continue to create regulated cannabis markets for non-medical purposes: “These programs appear to be inconsistent with drug control conventions,” the organization warns.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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