CONTRIBUTION
TO THE EMCDDA 2000 ANNUAL REPORT
LATVIA
CHAPTER 1
TRENDS AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN DRUG USE
The secretariat of the State Drug Control and Drug Abuse Combat coordination commission has evaluated the situation in the state in its annual informative material.
The abuse and spread of drugs and psychotropic substances which are characteristic mainly for Europe and the whole world have also been taken account of in Latvia in 1998. It has been evaluated that there are approximately 5000-8000 drug addicts from approximately 20 000 persons who use drugs.
Although the common number of drug and psychotropic substance users is not yet very large, lately a tendency has been observed which creates great concern, for the consumption of drugs and psychotropic substances is closely connected with the social and psychological defencelessness of people, often with the difficult economic situation in the country, which causes prostitution, with the many unfavorable families when children practically live in the streets. But it is particularly connected with crime. Illegal selling of drugs and psychotropic substances cause new drugs to enter the market and more young abusers are getting involved. Crime connected with the circulation of drugs and psychotropic substances keeps increasing, and acquires a more organized character.
THE DRUG INFORMATION SYSTEM
The information system concerning drugs in the state is formed according to the National Programme for the fight against drugs and drug addiction about drug addiction 1997-1998.
The first activities and training specialists were already begun in 1994, when Latvia was included into the project of the European Union PHARE project on drug information systems. The project has been concluded in February 1999.
The results of the PHARE project on drug information systems are the following:
- The National Focal Point about drug network has been formed, in the candidate states of the European Union, which is interconnected by means of electronic communication (domin fad. phare org.) and with the National Focal Points network of the European Union – REITOX with the Monitoring Centre (EMCDDA) in Lisbon. In Latvia the Narcology Centre functioning as the National Focal Point.
- Two instruments have been formed together with the European Union drug information system – Information map and National Report:
- Information Map. A detailed scheme of a definite standard on the information sources and information circulation in the states. Experts who worked together with both PHARE Countries and with EU states evaluated and accepted the main sources of information. Latvia has accepted 7 epidemiological information sources;
- The National Report which was prepared according to the same structure, which has been used by States of the European Union.
- Professionals have been trained in regional and national study visits. They are ready now to work according to the requirements of the European Union drug information network institutions.
THE EVALUATION OF THE SITUATION IN OUR COUNTRY
Latvia face increasing problems associated with the local drug consumption and with the traffic and transit of illicit drugs. Informative material contain data from the Drug Enforcement Bureau of the State Chief department of criminal police of the Ministry of Interior Affairs, Narcology Centre of the Ministry of Welfare National AIDS Centre as well as other data.
Data obtained by medical institutions
According to the data of the narcology service in 1998 the number of drug addicts who are registered and being treated as well as persons who have used drugs thus doing harm to their health has increased.
THE NUMBER DRUG ADDICTS AND USERS REGISTERED
AT THE NARCOLOGY SERVICE
in absolute numbers
1994 / 1995 / 1996 / 1997 / 1998Drug addicts / 781 / 804 / 904 / 992 / 1080
Drug and psychotropic substance users with harmful after-effects to their health / 303 / 485 / 613 / 746 / 890
REGISTERED TOTAL NUMBER OF DRUG
ADDICTS (PREVALENCE)
AND THOSE PRIMARY REGISTERED (INCIDENCE)
per 100 000 inhabitants
In the contingent structure of drug addicts, compared to that of last year we observe a substantial increase in opiate addicts and a slight increase in sedative and inhaler addicts.
In the contingent of addictive patients the highest number form patients using
opioids (49,5%), inhalants (17,8%), amphe tamines (17,5%) and polidrug use.
THE CONTINGENT OF DRUG AND ADDICTS
DIVIDED ACCORDING TO THE DRUGS USED
in absolute numbers – registered at the end of the year
Substance groups / 1994 / 1995 / 1996 / 1997 / 1998Opioids / 335 / 339 / 389 / 419 / 534
Cannabis / 5 / 5 / 7 / 12 / 10
Sedatives and soporifics / 40 / 34 / 37 / 46 / 49
Cocaine / - / - / - / - / 1
Amphetamines / 215 / 221 / 232 / 209 / 189
Hallucinogens / - / - / - / 15 / 9
Inhalants / 66 / 62 / 104 / 183 / 192
Other substances and polidrug use / 120 / 143 / 135 / 108 / 96
TOTAL / 781 / 804 / 904 / 992 / 1080
MORTALITY RATE FROM DRUG AND PSYCHOTROPIC
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
According to the data of Latvia’s Forensic Medicine specialists in 1998, 53 cases of death were registered of persons who had used drugs and psychotropic substances. That is the second largest number of deaths during the past 13 years; only in 1994 the number was larger – 55 cases of death caused by drug and psychotropic substance abuse.
MORTALITY RATE CAUSED BY DRUG
AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCE ABUSE
in absolute numbers
1986 / 1987 / 1988 / 1989 / 1990 / 1991 / 1992 / 1993 / 1994 / 1995 / 1996 / 1997 / 199814 / 7 / 10 / 9 / 17 / 9 / 28 / 47 / 55 / 42 / 41 / 45 / 53
MORTALITY RATE CAUSED BY DRUG
AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCE ABUSE
in absolute numbers
ANALYSIS OF THE MORTALITY RATE AMONG PERSONS
WHO HAVE ABUSED DRUGS AND OTHER PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES
Cause / Absolutesnumber / %
Death from overdosage / 20 / 37.7
Including
- morphine
- codeine
- diacetylmorphine (heroin)
- metkatinon (ephedrone)
- metadone
- cyklodole
- nitrazepam
- carbamazepin
- phenobarbital
- phenazepam
- diphenhidramine (dimedrol)
- ephedrine
- diazepam
- drotaverin (noshpa)
Death from combined poisoning / 16 / 30,2
Including
- morphine + cocaine
- phenobarbital + diazepam
- amitriptilyn + alcohol
- clozapine + amitriptylin
- clonazepam + midazolam
- carbamezapin + nitrazepam
- flunitrazepam + nitrazepam
- cyclobarbital + diazepam
- zopiklon (imovan) + dimedrol
- difenhidramin + amitriptilyn
Death from diseases (pneumonia, nonspecific myocarditis, acute vascular failure etc.) / 6 / 11.3
Death from other after-effects of drug abuse (intoxicating substances) – traumata, murder, suicides, asphyxia etc. / 11 / 20.8
Total / 53 / 100.0
An analysis of mortality according to age groups shows that more than a half – 54.7% have died up to the age of 30 (in 1997, 48.8% died at the respective age).
Mortality in age groups up to 18 years caused by substance abuse in 7 cases or 13.2%, which is more than 1997 (respectively 3 cases or 6.6%).
DISTRIBUTION OF THE NUMBER OF DEATHS ACCORDING
TO AGE AND SEX GROUPS
caused by drug and psychotropic substance abuse
Age groups / Total / % from the total number of deaths / Includingmales / females
Up to 15 years / 2 / 3.8 / 1 / 1
15-18 years / 5 / 9.4 / 3 / 2
19-30 years / 22 / 41.5 / 19 / 3
31-40 years / 18 / 34.0 / 14 / 4
41 years and older / 6 / 11.3 / 4 / 2
Total / 53 / 100.0 / 41 / 12
MORBIDITY WITH VIRAL HEPATITIS C
AND SPREAD OF HIV / AIDS
In 1998 morbidity rate with viral hepatitis C increased by 1.6; i.e. 168 cases were registered or 6.8 per 100000 inhabitants.
Compared to 1993, morbidity rate has increased 5.6 times. In 6 state administrative territories (Rīga, Jelgava, Ventspils, Madona, Rīga and Tukums districts) the index level reaches from 8 to 12.7 per 100000 inhabitants.
MORBIDITY WITH VIRAL HEPATITIS C
Year / In absolute numbers / Per 100000 inhabitants1993 / 30 / 1.2
1994 / 77 / 3.0
1995 / 61 / 2.4
1996 / 82 / 3.3
1997 / 102 / 4.1
1998 / 168 / 6.8
HIV / AIDS spread keeps increasing in Latvia. According to the data of National AIDS prevention Centre, in 1998, 163 new HIV cases and 11 cases of AIDS have been registered. 4 patients have died. All told up to the 31 Dec. 1998, 251 HIV infected and 31 AIDS patients had been registered. 8 patients have died, out of those 3 in the HIV stage and 5 AIDS patients.
The cumulative index of HIV / AIDS number of patients is formed by persons mostly aged from 15-49. The number of males infected with HIV surpasses 3 times that of females, while in the overall number of AIDS patients the number of males surpasses 9 times the number of females.
From all the registered 251 persons infected by HIV (up to 01.01.1999) it is known, that the intravenous use of drugs has been identified in 120 cases; out of them 90 were men and 30 women. Most of them were in the age group from 20 to 29 years old. 48 out of the registered HIV infected persons were imprisoned, out of those 37 were intravenous drug abusers.
DIVISION INTO AGE GROUPS OF HIV INFECTED INTRAVENOUS
DRUG ABUSERS
to 01.01.1999
Age groups / Total16-18
years old / 19 years old / 20-29
years old / 30-39
years old / 40-49
years old / Over 50 years old
Males / 4 / 4 / 43 / 32 / 6 / 1 / 90
Females / 1 / 0 / 18 / 11 / 0 / 0 / 30
Total / 5 / 4 / 61 / 43 / 6 / 1 / 120
QUESTIONNAIRE OF DRUG ABUSERS AND ADDICTS
The inquiry was made in 1998, in April and May as a project of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) in the setting “Treatment/Rehabilitation and Information”.
201 respondents took part in the inquiry. They were drug addicts and abusers.
The inquiry showed the following tendencies among drug addicts and abusers:
drug and psychotropic substances were mostly used by young persons; 60% of respondents were up to 30 years old, the youngest abusers was 10 years old, the oldest - 53;
among drug and psychotropic substances abusers males prevail - the ratio between females and males is 23% / 77%, i.e.1:3 (among these data the number of females is larger than at the Register of the Narcology centre1 / 4.1);
the proportion of Latvians among abusers and addicts is 39%, i.e. higher than the official statistics - 20% - 25%;
drugs and psychotropic substances are mostly used at parties - 71%, in prisons - 5%, at schools-also 5%;
the number of persons is high (21.3%), who have used cannabis (hashish, marijuana) for the first time in life while 10.2% have started using drugs with medicines, tranquilizers, soporifics, but 9.1% with glue, gas or other inhalants;
37.1% have started with opioids;
58.7% drug and psychotropic substance addicts and abusers have had them checked for infection with HIV / AIDS;
in the environment where the inquiry was carried out, there was much information about the possibilities of taking treatment; 51.2% knew all about treatment possibilities, while 22.4% had partial information about treatment facilities.
DRUG ENFORCEMENT BUREAU HAVE STATED THE FOLLOWING TENDENCIES OF ILLEGAL DEALINGS:
wide spread of synthetic drugs (amphetamine, ecstasy, LSD) among juveniles; these substances have been found in Riga and other regions too – Liepāja, Rēzekne, Jelgava, Daugavpils;
Latvians have been detained for the first time abroad for drug transit on a wide scope;
the network of dealing with drugs is kept secret (particularly the circulation, of cocaine and heroine), which proves that there is a powerful criminal structure controlling this field;
transit of drugs takes place through out Latvia – both to the East and to the West.
CHAPTER 2
PATTERNS AND PREVALENCE
OF DRUG USE AND RELATED PROBLEMS
Medical data
Division of the drug addicts contingent according to sex is 3,9men/1woman, with the following amplitudes:
in age group up to 20 years this ratio is 10 men/1 woman, but in age group from 25-29 only 2,9 men/1 woman; there are also the greatest number of registered addicts in this group (~20%) and a little less in the age group from 30-34 years.
According to the routes administration addictive patients are divided in the following way:
by injection66,0%
by smoking1,5%
oral (by eating, drinking)10%
by snuffing0,5%
by inhaling17,5%
other route or by combining various routes4,5%
By analyzing drug and psychotropic substance users with harmful after – effects (user contingents), we observe a very quick increase (more than twice) for cannabis (marijuana and hashish) and the opioid groups.
DRUG AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCE USERS
WITH HARMFUL AFTER-EFFECTS – USER CONTINGENTS
In absolute numbers –registered at the end of the year
1997 / 1998Opioids / 90 / 120
Cannabis / 58 / 141
Sedatives and soporifics / 74 / 90
Cocaine / 2 / -
Amphetamines / 90 / 95
Hallucinogens / 80 / 99
Inhalants / 295 / 304
Other substances and polidrug use / 57 / 41
Total / 746 / 890
Among the contingent of users the ratio of men to woman are 4,4 / 1.
Most users belong to the following age groups:
15-19 years / 368 persons or 41%up to the age of 15 / 198 persons or 22%
20-24 years / 116 persons or 13%
According to the routes of substance administration the users are divided in the following way:
by inhalation / 36%Oral (by eating, drinking) / 22.5%
by injection / 18%
by smoking / 15%
by snuffing / 0.5%
other route or combing several routes / 8%
Addicts and users with primary registered diagnosis (incidence)
The number of primary registered diagnosis in a year could be characterized as the most dynamic characteristic of the condition. This indicator shows us a special increase in the number of patients of opiate addicts:
41,0% - 1997, 61,7% - 1998 and also increase in opiate users with harmful after-effects:
in 1997, 27 cases have been registered,
in 1998, 42 cases have been registered.
The number of Cannabis users has increased more than twice compared to 1997 :
in 1997- 29 cases
in 1998- 65 cases.
DISTRIBUTION OF PATIENTS-DRUG ADDICTS PRIMARY REGISTRED (INCIDENCE) AT THE NARCOLOGY SERVICE ACCORDING TO SUBSTANCE GROUPS
in absolute numbers
1994 / 1995 / 1996 / 1997 / 1998Opioids / 34 / 34 / 79 / 66 / 121
Cannabis / - / - / - / 5 / 3
Sedatives and soporifics / 2 / 4 / 7 / 4 / 2
Cocaine / - / - / - / - / 1
Amphetamines / 24 / 32 / 33 / 15 / 13
Hallucinogens / - / - / - / 4 / 3
Inhalants / 3 / 11 / 46 / 46 / 42
Other substances and polidrug use / 8 / 11 / 10 / 21 / 11
Total / 71 / 102 / 178 / 161 / 196
NUMBER OF PERSONS PRIMARY REGISTERED AS USERS OF DRUGS
AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES WITH HARMFUL AFTER-EFFECTS
in absolute numbers
Substance groups / 1997 / 1998Opioids / 27 / 42
Cannabis / 29 / 65
Soporifics / 28 / 30
Amphetamines / 16 / 20
Hallucinogens / 44 / 27
Inhalants / 103 / 95
Other substances and polidrug use / 26 / 12
Total / 273 / 291
The number of patients treated at narcology in-patient wards has slightly increased compared to the year 1997. An obvious increase is among patients using opioids (compared to 1997 the number of patients has increased by 36%)
A fewer number of patients with other drug addictions have been treated as in-patients than in the previous year.
93 woman have been treated as in-patients (13.4% the total number of patients), 118 children and teenagers (17% from the total number of patients).
The number of patients treated at narcology in-patient hospitals because of psychotic states due to use drug or psychotropic substances has increased more than 3 times:
In 1997 – 33 patients, including 16 children and teenagers, while in 1998 – 103 patients, including 11 children and teenagers.
DISTRIBUTION OF DRUG ADDICTS TREATED AS NARCOLOGY
IN-PATIENTS ACCORDING TO THE GROUPS OF SUBSTANCES USED
in absolute numbers
Substance groups / 1994 / 1995 / 1996 / 1997 / 1998Opioids / 238 / 237 / 276 / 353 / 480
Amphetamines / 34 / 27 / 39 / 36 / 33
Inhalants / 8 / 6 / 118 / 158 / 101
Sedatives and soporifics / 7 / 8 / 14 / 22 / 20
Cannabis / 3 / 2 / 2 / 9 / 7
Hallucinogens / 2 / 2 / 2 / 8 / 2
Cocaine / -- / -- / -- / 11 / 2
Other substance and polidrug use / 56 / 43 / 36 / 85 / 47
All substance groups together / 348 / 325 / 478 / 672 / 692
Data of the Drug Enforcement Bureau of the State Chief department of criminal police of the Ministry of Interior Affairs
In 1998 the number of registered criminal offences in Latvia connected with narcotics has decreased.
The overall registered number of crimes has been formed by an increase of criminal offences in the regions and by a decrease of the number of crimes committed in Riga.
THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED CRIMINAL OFFENCES
CONNECTED WITH DRUGS IN LATVIA
in absolute numbers
1992 / 1993 / 1994 / 1995 / 1996 / 1997 / 1998205 / 231 / 279 / 271 / 362 / 433 / 395
The year 1998 was characterized in the drug market by rapid spread of heroine and a formation of a network of new dealers, as well as an increase of drug abusers, among whom most were cannabis users.
In 1998 291 person were made answerable for criminal offence - out of them in 1998- 218 men and 73 woman (in 1997 – 219 men and 92 woman).
NATIONALITIES OF PERSONS CHARGED
WITH CRIMINAL OFFENCE
in absolute numbers
1997 / 1998All total / 311 / 291
including:
Russians / 197 / 161
Latvians / 65 / 61
Gypsies / 27 / 37
Lithuanians / 12 / 11
Bielorussians / 8 / 3
Ukrainians / 7 / 5
Estonians / 4 / 3
DISTRIBUTION OF PERSONS ANSWERABLE
FOR CRIMINAL OFFENCE ACCORDING TO THE DRUGS USED
in absolute numbers
Substance groups / NumberOpioids / 117
including heroine / 24
Cannabis / 59
Ephedrine, ephedrone / 44
Combined drugs / 40
Amphetamines / 18
LSD / 1
Cocaine / 1
Psychotropic substances / 11
In 1998 more drugs and psychotropic substances have been confiscated (heroine, amphetamine, cocaine).
In 1998 the total sum of confiscated drugs and psychotropic substances made up 89660 lats (the sum is calculated from retail sales in the black market).
DRUGS AND PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES
CONFISCATED BY THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT BUREAU
1994 / 1995 / 1996 / 1997 / 1998Poppy straw kg / 232 / 123.6 / 104.7 / 85.74 / 192.28
Poppy straw extract l / 32.77 / 42.47 / 89.43 / 132.76 / 64.81
Raw opiate g / 868.3 / 4.87 / 3.33 / 230.49 / 755.03
Marijuana kg / 1.45 / 10.596 / 7.93 / 21.95 / 2.48
Hashish g / 1005.8 / 1487.2 / 1497 / 645.93 / 3150.00
Ephedrine kg / 1.992 / 1.574 / 1.338 / 3.104 / 0.346
Ephedrone ml / 1867.2 / 884.9 / 858.4 / 290.8 / 938.3
MDA g / 1.14 / 259.8 / 0.77 / 13.19 / -
MDA tab / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1640
MDMA (ecstasy) tab. / 0 / 0 / 0 / 23 / 11
MDEA, MBDB g / 0 / 0 / 2.08 / 7.04 / 16.67
Amphetamine g / 0 / 0 / 45.09 / 288.0 / 415.38
Amphetamine tab / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 353
Amphetamine + coffeine gr / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 26.28
Amphetamine + coffeine tab / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 667
Amphetamine liquid ml / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1.3 / 1700
LSD pieces / 0 / 0 / 16 / 205 / 58
Cocaine g / 0 / 12 / 12.21 / 23.98 / 62.51
Heroine g / 0 / 194.33 / 0 / 10.81 / 98.15
Medical preparation containing drugs ml / 9 / 100 / 1244 / 5112 / 300.9
Solutane ml / 0 / 0 / 845 / 1444 / 9200
Psychotropic preparation tablets / 0 / 0 / 7133 / 20830 / 11244
Dynamics of drug prices on the “black market” show us a noteworthy increase of heroine supply.
RETAIL AND WHOLESALE PRICES OF DRUGS
ON THE “BLACK MARKET”
1997 / 1998Retail
prices in Ls / Wholesale
prices in Ls / Retail
Prices in Ls / Wholesale
prices in Ls
Poppy straw 1 glass / 3 / 1.50 / 3-5 / 2
A dose of heroine (0.05-0.1 g) / 50 / 35 / 10 / 4
Hashish 1 g / 10 / 4.50 / 8-10 / 3-4.50
Cocaine 1 g / 60-70 / 50 / 50 / 35
Ephedrine 1 g / 5 / 2-3 / 8-10 / 4-5
Ecstasy 1 piece / 8 / 3-4 / 6-8 / 3-4
LSD 1 piece / 10 / 7 / 8-10 / 5
Marijuana 1 cigarette / 1 / 0.8 / 1 / 0.7
Amphetamine 1 g / 15-20 / 8-10 / 12-20 / 6-10
During the last few years an increase of the number of drivers has been observed, who were detained because of driving under influence of drugs narcotics and psychotropic substances.
In 1998, 44 drivers were diagnosed clinically and by laboratory findings to be under the influence of drugs and psychotropic substances (1996 – 11 cases, 1997 –24 cases).
DISTRIBUTION OF DETAINED DRIVERS
ACCORDING TO AGE GROUPS
in absolute numbers
Age groups / NumbersAge up to 21 years / 9
21 – 25 / 13
26 –30 / 7
31 – 35 / 9
36 – 40 / 2
41 – 45 / 3
46 – 50 / 1
Total / 44
DISTRIBUTION OF DETAINED DRIVERS ACCORDING TO
THE DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES USED
in absolute numbers
Substances used / 1996 / 1997 / 1998Cannabis / 3 / 9 / 7
Several drugs / 2 / 4 / 24
Drugs + psychotropic substances / 4 / 6 / 6
Opioids / 0 / 2 / 2
Ephedrone / 1 / 0 / 1
Psychotropic substances / 1 / 3 / 2
Cocaine / 0 / 0 / 1
Amphetamine / 0 / 0 / 1
Total / 11 / 24 / 44
Drugs from the cannabis group (marijuana or hashish) were the most frequent components in cases when several drugs had been used.
In 1988 drastic changes have taken place in the illegal market dealings with drugs and psychotropic substances. Users of poppy straw have changed over to the use of heroine. Heroine is also being used in Latvia’s regions – Jelgava and Rēzekne. The number of criminal affairs has increased with the use of synthetic drugs.
DISTRIBUTION OF CRIMINAL OFFENCES CONNECTED
WITH THE USE OF DRUGS ACCORDING TO THEIR GROUPS IN 1998
in percents
Substances / % from the overall number of criminal affairsPoppy straw / 28
Cannabis / 26
Heroine / 15
Ephedrine, ephedrone / 15
Amphetamine / 9
LSD / 4
Cocaine / 3
Illegal production of drugs and psychotropic substances is at present done on a small scale in Latvia.
In 1996-1997, 3 illegal laboratories were discovered where substances were produced for the illegal market. One should take into consideration that during the Soviet times chemical industry was well developed in Latvia; there were many highly qualified chemists, who at present are unemployed. This situation may favour the illegal production of drugs and psychotropic substances.
Cases have been revealed when the existing chemical and pharmaceutical enterprises produce drugs and psychotropic substances for illegal trade. The biggest one was discovered in 1992, the enterprise “Olaine”. In February 1998, an illegal laboratory was discovered at the same enterprise, where amphetamine was produced. In this laboratory 220 g of pure amphetamine was confiscated and 1700 ml of liquid containing amphetamine, 6 employees of “Olainfarm” were charged with criminal offence.