The Government Delegate for the National Drug Plan, Joan Ramón Villalbí Hereterhas warned this Tuesday that Europe is “flooded” of cocaine and that Spain is one of the main “entrance doors” along with the ports of Antwerp (Belgium) or Róterdam (Netherlands), which has caused it to be The illegal substance most consumed by the Spaniards behind cannabis.
“We are flooded with cocaine. Production especially in Colombia and Peru is totally fired. In Bolivia, production remains more limited and with more traditional uses, but production linked to drug trafficking In Colombia and Peru it is absolutely triggered. All of Europe is living an flood of cocaine, where Spain occupies an important part as a door to the European continent, “he said during the Mixed Commission of the Congress of Deputies for the study of addiction problems.
Hereter has shown its concern for the “potential to harm” of this drug, although its consumption levels are “relatively annoying” (consumed by 2.5% of the population in the last year, according to the 2024 Ages report), because it is taking place at “record” levels, with a “greater purity” and with a “lower price” than in the past.
However, he stressed that Cocaine consumption data are “relatively stable”both among the people who say they had ever tried it in the last year (13.3%), and the people who say they have ever consumed the last month (1.4%).
“We are very concerned with other forms of cocaine, different from cocaine powder, Like crack or base pastewhich are much more addictive, much more destructive, with great potential to generate acute psychiatric episodes, and with great potential to generate a very intense dependence, very quickly, and totally destroy the life of its users. We have very small levels of consumption here, but we follow them very closely because crack is slowly penetrating large European cities such as Paris, Geneva or Zurich, “he added.
With regard to cannabis, it has detailed that its consumption during the last twelve months is in 12.6% of respondents, while their daily consumption in the last month has grown “slowly” over the years until 2.5%.
Although other illegal drugs have “much lower levels” levels, Hereter wanted to point out Surveillance on ecstasy or methamphetamineespecially the latter, because it is one of the “most destructive” substances, as well as new psychoactive substances such as ketamine or pink cocaine.
He has also recognized the “work” of security forces by the decrease in availability perception of most drugs, with the exception of cannabis. As for overdose mortality or diseases derived from chronic consumption of these substances, it also stressed that the data has “greatly diminished” in recent years.
Lower daily alcohol consumption
On the other hand, Hereter has stressed that The most consumed substances are the legalespecially alcohol (76.5% have taken it in the last year), followed by tobacco (36.8%), emphasizing that daily alcohol consumption is “quite” less than in the past, especially among the most the most youths.
“Alcohol is maintained with relatively stable consumption data, with high consumption values last year and last month, although for daily consumption much less than before. The Spaniards do not drink daily and this is no longer for the majority of the population. And if we look at daily consumption, according to age groups, you can see that in young people daily consumption is only 5%, and in people from 55 to 64 years it amounts to 16%, and it is the group Age where it is more frequent, “he added.
In addition, he has expressed that he is more concerned Even among minors; However, it has highlighted the decrease in participation in bottles, something that blames the measures of local administrations, which has caused a decrease in drunkenness from 16.7% in 2022 to 14.7% in 2024.
The delegate also pointed out that 56% of minors have recognized have consumed alcohol in the last 30 days And, although intensive consumption data “have been decreasing” since 2012, has recognized that “they are still too high.”
Mild descent in participation in bets
Hereter has shown that the prevalence of the participation of Spaniards in betting games has experienced a brief decrease both in the online format (5.5%prevalence) and face -to -face (52.9%prevalence), and that it is young people who participate most online.
Although most people who play They spent between six and 30 euros The last time they played, the delegate has shown concern about 2% of respondents who have recognized having spent 300 euros or more, which can create a “risk” for their lives.
It should be noted that some 4,600 people went to networks of Behavioral addiction treatmentof which 80% did it for betting games, followed by video games, purchases or sex.
The substance that leads people to treatment is alcohol (28,000 people), followed by cocaine (25,000), cannabis (12,000) and heroin (8,000).
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