Drugs Consumption in Spain Information Sources and Evolution During the Period 1984-1990

Abstract

The development of drugs consumption and associated problems in Spain are described for the period 1984-1990, using the SEIT (State Drugs-Dependency Information System), populational surveys, police statistics, AIDS Registry, etc. The available sources of information are assessed. Between 1984 and 1990, there were increases in supply indicators, in cocaine and opiate treatments and in deaths by acute reactions to these drugs. Heroin produced the majority of the serious problems detected but cocaine related problems increased. Heroin addicts were older; consumption of cannabis dropped; Spain was the European country with greatest accumulated incidence of AIDS among drug users, with increasing repercussions of AIDS in death rates and health care demands by these people. The prevalence of HIV in serum was 41%-75%; slight positive changes appeared in high risk behaviour. From now on, it will be necessary to adapt the SEIT for the purposes of epidemiological vigilance, to introduce a periodical survey and to encourage ethographic studies.