Source: 2007
Released by the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
The Kyrgyz Republic has minimal internal production of illicit narcotics or precursor chemicals, but it is a major transit country for drugs originating in Afghanistan and destined for markets in Russia, Western Europe, and the United States. The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic (GOKG), though it has only limited resources, attempts to combat drug trafficking and prosecute offenders. The GOKG has been supportive of international and regional efforts to limit drug trafficking and has made a significant effort to address its own domestic drug abuse problems. The GOKG recognizes that the drug trade is a serious threat to its own stability and is continuing efforts to focus on issues such as money laundering, drug-related street crime, and corruption within its own government.
Drug abuse continues to be a serious issue in the Kyrgyz Republic. As of January 1, 2006, 7290 people were officially registered in the Republican Drug Treatment Centre, which is 5.8 percent more than last year. According to non-official data, the number is much higher. Moreover, according to UNODC estimates, 70 percent of drug users use drugs through injections, which leads to other serious problems such as HIV/AIDS. According to official data, there are 1,019 people in the Kyrgyz Republic registered with HIV/AIDS. The Ministry of Health reports that almost 90 percent of them acquired this disease through injecting drugs. The Drug Control Agency (DCA) has proposed legislation that would make first time offenders eligible for treatment instead of incarceration. The legislation was introduced to the Kyrgyz Parliament in the beginning of 2006, but was sent back for further review and amendments. It is expected to be considered by the Parliament again in early 2007.
While the GOKG has been a supporter of counternarcotics programs, it is still struggling to deliver a clear and consistent counternarcotics strategy to either the Kyrgyz people or the international community. There have been some positive indications that perhaps the tide is beginning to turn. Since August 2005, the new DCA director has reorganized the Agency, and purged lazy and corrupt employees. The number of drug seizures has shown a significant increase in the third quarter of 2006.
The drug trafficking problem is especially acute in the south of the country, particularly in Osh City and its surrounding regions, where drug trafficking has become an ever-increasing source of income and employment. The opening of the Southern DCA Branch in Osh took place on 6 July 2006. There is hope that the DCA will become a lead agency in the Kyrgyz Republic in minimizing drug trafficking and gaining the public's confidence. The Issyk-Kul region has favorable conditions for growing hemp. Also, one of the major drug trafficking routes passes through this area. Thus, there is a need to establish an Eastern DCA Division in the beginning of 2007 in Issyk-Kul. The Kyrgyz Republic is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention.
The Kyrgyz Republic shares a common border with China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Mountainous terrain, poor road conditions, and an inhospitable climate for much of the year make detection and apprehension of drug traffickers more difficult. Border stations located on mountain passes on the Chinese and Tajik borders are snow covered and uninhabited for up to four months of the year. These isolated passes are some of the most heavily used routes for drug traffickers. Government outpost and interdiction forces rarely have electricity, running water or modern amenities to support their counternarcotics efforts. The Kyrgyz Republic is one of the poorest successor states of the former Soviet Union, relying on a crumbling infrastructure and suffering from a lack of natural resources or significant industry. Unlike some of its Central Asian neighbors, the Kyrgyz Republic does not have a productive oil industry or significant energy reserves. The south and southwest regions--the Osh and Batken districts--are primary trafficking routes used for drug shipments from Afghanistan. The city of Osh, in particular, is the main crossroads for road and air traffic and a primary transfer point for narcotics into Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and on to markets in Russia, Western Europe and the United States. The Kyrgyz Republic is not a major producer of narcotics; however, cannabis, ephedra, and poppy grow wild in many areas.
Law Enforcement Efforts. The Drug Control Agency (DCA) was established in 2003 with the assistance of the U.S. Government and UNODC. It has become the lead agency in coordinating all drug enforcement activities in the Kyrgyz Republic. The DCA estimates that there were 3,494 kg of illicit narcotics seized on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic during the first 9 months of 2006, 7.5 percent less than during the first 9 months of 2005. It also reports that 1,922 drug crimes were detected in the first nine months of 2006 (1.6 percent less than during the same period in 2005). Investigations were completed on 1,871 of those crimes. Meanwhile, the results of the DCA itself have significantly increased compared to last year. Since the beginning of 2006 (and more significantly since May 2006) the DCA has seized 1,075 kg of narcotics and psychotropic substances (396.5 percent more than in 2005), in particular: 112 kg of heroin (27 kg in 2005), 224 kg of opium (143 in 2005), and 680 kg of marijuana (35 kg in 2005). The DCA closely cooperates with relevant competent bodies of Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Since the beginning of 2006 the DCA conducted 5 joint "controlled delivery" operations aimed at disrupting organized trafficking operations by drug gangs and 5 other joint operations with Russian and Lithuanian police. As a result, 182 kg of drugs and psychotropic substances and 100,000 Ecstasy pills were seized.
Since the beginning of 2006, the DCA suppressed the activities of eight large-scale drug gangs. DCA and Ministry of Interior of Kazakhstan worked out a joint plan to suppress drug contraband activities on the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border. The exchange of operational information among law enforcement bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic (Ministry of Interior, National Security Service, Customs, and Border Guard) was enforced in order to increase effectiveness in the field of combating drugs; joint operations are being conducted at railroad stations, airports, and major highways. The DCA believes that drugs are being delivered to the southern part of the country by well-organized criminal groups and, in some cases, law enforcement representatives are involved in this process. In this regard, the Procurator's Office, National Security Service, and Border Guards worked out a joint strategy to check and inspect all law enforcement representatives arriving at border zones. Several joint operations have been conducted since the beginning of 2006. The "Mak (poppy)-2006" joint operation resulted in the detection of 466 drug crimes and the seizure of 1,084 kg of narcotics. The "Kanal (channel)-2006" joint operation was conducted together with the forces of the DCA, Ministry of Interior, National Security Service, and Border Guard and resulted in the detection of 40 drug-related crimes the seizure of 40 kg of illicit narcotics, and the seizure of 2 hand grenades and 9 guns. The "Marzbon-2006," a joint border operation, resulted in the seizure of 90 kg of narcotics, including 75 kg of opium and 3 kg of heroin.
Corruption. The GOKG recognizes that corruption remains a serious problem and is a deterrent to effective law enforcement efforts. An October 21, 2005 presidential decree established an Anti-Corruption Agency. The Goal of the Agency is to minimize the level of corruption in the country by means of developing, monitoring, and realizing measures aimed against corruption. However, since its inception the unit has been largely ineffective.
The DCA recently arrested two counternarcotics police officers, two customs officers and a national security officer for drug trafficking. The Kyrgyz DCA now has a relatively good reputation. DCA staff goes through a very thorough vetting procedure and receives substantial salary supplements from the UN/US counter narcotics project.
Since August 2005 more than 40 enforcement officers of the GOKG have been fired due to lack of productivity or corruption. Polygraph testing is being used extensively to ensure integrity and a corruption-free environment among the DCA employees. Corruption cases were identified using the polygraph. As a result, internal investigations were conducted, and offenders were dismissed. The GOKG is a party to the UN Corruption Convention.
Agreements and Treaties. The Kyrgyz Republic is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention, the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, and the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. The Kyrgyz Republic is also a party to the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols against trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling. It is also a party to the Central-Asian Counter Narcotics Protocol, a regional cooperation agreement encouraged by the UN. Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan signed an agreement in September 1999 on cooperation in combating transnational crime, including narcotics trafficking. The five Central Asian countries, as well as Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey, are members of the Economic Coordination Mechanism supported by the UNODC.
Cultivation/Production. While there is no significant commercial production of drugs in the Kyrgyz Republic, cannabis and ephedra grow wild over wide areas, especially in the Chui valley region, and around Lake Issyk-Kul. In the past, the Kyrgyz Republic was a major producer of licit opium, and was the Soviet Union's main source of ephedra plant for decades. However, with the explosion of opium production in Afghanistan, it has become less risky and easier to import drugs from Afghanistan via Tajikistan than to produce them locally. The GOKG nevertheless carries out yearly eradication campaigns against illicit crops. Despite sporadic cases of, it has little impact on the general drug situation in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Drug Flow/Transit. The overall drug situation in the country continued to gradually deteriorate in 2006. With a record amount of opium produced in Afghanistan in 2006, increasing amounts of opiates may transit Kyrgyzstan. Metric ton quantities of Afghan opiates are being trafficked through the so-called "Northern route" which includes the Central Asian States of the Former Soviet Union. Local analysts estimate that ton quantities of heroin pass through the Kyrgyz Republic. The principal market for Afghan opiates is Russia and to a lesser extent Western Europe, but seizures have also occurred in the United States and elsewhere.
Due to a very limited and largely primitive transportation system, traffickers mostly utilize lengthy overland routes leading through Afghanistan's neighboring countries. A large part of the drugs smuggled through Central Asia in 2006 entered the region through Tajikistan. Together with Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic represents the main conduit for onward smuggling of opiates. Following a pattern observed across the Central Asian region in 2006, the share of opiates seized in Kyrgyz Republic increased significantly. While the amount of opium seized increased by 154 percent, the amount of heroin increased by only 56 percent. In particular, the southern border provinces of Osh and Batken again experienced a high flow of drugs in 2006. Over a number of years, there has been a well-established trafficking route from the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province in Tajikistan along the Pamir highway and the town of Murghab into Osh province. In the last few years, trafficking activities have increased on the long and mountainous border between the Tajik Garm region and Batken in the Kyrgyz Republic. Onward smuggling through the Kyrgyz Republic takes drugs mainly to the Uzbekistan section of the Ferghana valley, and across the Northern border into Kazakhstan. In trafficking drugs into the Kyrgyz Republic and onward, traffickers can hope for high profits. In August 2006, depending on purity, a kg of heroin was worth U.S. $6,000-$9,000 in the Southern Batken and Osh provinces bordering Tajikistan, but U.S. $12,000-$15,000 in Bishkek and the Northern provinces. The large increase of opium production in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan in 2005 and, particularly so, in 2006, is of special relevance to Central Asian region, as transport and trafficking routes out of Badakhshan are basically through the Central Asian countries in the North, including Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic.
Domestic Programs/Demand Reduction. According to UNODC data, there are 7,290 officially registered drug users in the Kyrgyz Republic now. A total of 1,019 people with HIV/AIDS are registered by the medical system in the Kyrgyz Republic. Out of that number 774 are intravenous drug users. Existing economic problems and budget constraints do not allow the GOKR to effectively address the growing drug abuse and HIV/AIDS problem. Insufficient allocation of budget funds is hampering prevention and treatment programs and the training of professional staff. Although for the past couple of years funding for international financial and technical assistance programs to address HIV/AIDS problems in Central Asia have been considerably increased, very little attention is paid to the conceptual and strategic development of a modern drug treatment service provision system capable of contributing towards effectively halting drug abuse and consequently the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
State institutions in partnership with civil sector organizations conduct the programs for drug users in the Kyrgyz Republic. As of 2005 there are eleven needle exchange programs in the localities most affected by drug abuse (Bishkek, Osh, Tokmok, Jalalabat, Karasuu). One of the needle exchange programs is implemented in the penal system, which is a unique program for a post soviet country. The programs cover about seven thousand IDUs, which constitute about 13 percent of estimated number of drug users.
USAID has a Drug Demand Reduction Program (DDRP) in the Fergana Valley (Osh and Jalal-Abad) implemented by the Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation. DDRP strives to improve the regulatory environment within the prison system by working towards the institutionalization of the DDR and health promotion training that targets inmates, medical and non-medical prison staff. This year, AFEW/DDRP has been promoting efforts to institutionalize training by prison authorities through development of training modules to target medical staff, non-medical staff and inmates.
In 2006, a series of national working group meetings on drug demand reduction and health promotion in prisons were held in the Kyrgyz Republic. As a result, Deputy Minister of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic approved a 12-hour education course entitled "Health Promotion in the Penal System of the Ministry of Justice of Kyrgyz Republic". By the order of the Head of the Prison system, this program was included into the educational program of the Penal System Training Center. To date, 15 staff members passed this training course. UNODC also implements the following drug programs in the Kyrgyz Republic:
Diversification of HIV prevention and drug treatment services for injecting and other drug users in Central Asia, a four-year project (ends in 2007) that improves and further develops the range of HIV prevention and drug treatment services for injecting drug users in selected localities in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan;
Drug Demand Reduction and HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Policy Advice to the Central Asian Governments, a two-year program (that ended in 2006). It aimed at a strengthening of policy development, implementation, coordination, and monitoring and evaluation capacities of the Central Asian governments in drug demand reduction and HIV/AIDS prevention and care.
Drug Abuse and HIV/AIDS Prevention through mass media, NGO and civil society, a three year project (ends in 2007) that is aimed at mobilizing the efforts of governments, the media, and civil society organizations in order to produce an expanded and concerted response to drug abuse in the Central Asian region.
Road Ahead. The DCA currently has displayed momentum toward becoming a solid and respected law enforcement organization in the field of drug enforcement in the Kyrgyz Republic. Another initiative, which is currently being negotiated, is the presence of a TDY DEA Agent embedded at the DCA. The most significant initiative in terms of funding is the development of Mobile Interdiction Teams for the DCA. This $1 million project will give the DCA the capability to strike quickly anywhere in the Kyrgyz Republic and identify drug traffickers as they are transporting narcotics. Other initiatives include assuring immediate dismissal of employees who fail the polygraph, a review of all internal investigations, and tracking of all seizures and court cases as a result of those seizures.
Drug use in Latvia is characterized by continued prevalence of synthetics, though cannabis is also popular. Heroin and cocaine can also be found. Recreational drug use has shifted to synthetic stimulants due to their low cost, as well as national information campaigns highlighting the dangers of intravenous drug use. Heroin use, which had once been Latvia's most serious narcotics problem, then flagged somewhat, is now showing marginal signs of renewed popularity. Latvia is party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention.
Latvia itself is not a significant producer of precursor chemicals, but Customs officials believe that a significant quantity of diverted "pre-precursors" originate in neighboring countries, such as Russia, Belarus, Lithuania, and Estonia and transit Latvia en route to other countries. Heroin is usually sold at "retail" only to people known to the seller and is generally not available in public places, though selling tactics and methods constantly change. Amphetamines are distributed in venues that attract youth, such as nightclubs, discotheques, gambling centers and raves. Organized crime groups also engage in both wholesale and retail trade in narcotics. Recreational drug use has increased, albeit relatively insignificantly, with Latvia's growing affluence and increased accessibility of drugs.
Policy Initiatives. Latvia is in the second year of its State Program for the Restriction and Control of Addiction and the Spread of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances (SPRCASNPS), which was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers for the years 2005 to 2008. This national strategy lists as its priorities: reducing the spread of drug abuse, especially among young people; increasing the possibilities for rehabilitation and re-socializing for drug addicts; reducing crime related to drug abuse and distribution, as well as drug trafficking; eliminating and preventing the harm caused to the general development of the Latvian state by drug addiction and drug related crime.
Law Enforcement Efforts. In 2006 the amount of seized amphetamine, methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine increased compared to 2005 figures. Poppy straw, marijuana, hashish, ephedrine, Ecstasy and LSD seizures dropped last year. Amphetamine seizures, which jumped from 3.7 kg in 2005 to 11.1 kg in 2006, were accomplished chiefly by four large seizures: 1.97 kg on February 7, 1.98 kg on May 24, 0.97 kg on June 1, and 3.28 kg on June 27. All four seizures occurred in Riga. Heroin seizures increased from 42.3 grams in 2005 to 157.4 grams in 2006. Methamphetamine seizures also more than doubled, from 3.4 kg in 2005 to 8.2 kg in 2006. Ecstasy seizures dropped from 21,937 tablets in 2005 to 4,640 tablets in 2006. Marijuana seizures dropped to 6.3 kg in 2006, down from 25.9 kg in the previous year. Ephedrine seizures dropped from 18.46 grams in 2005 to 0.88 grams in 2006. Hashish seized dropped to 358.4 grams in 2006, from 1,553.8 grams the year before. Additionally, at the end of October 2006, the GOL reported a seizure of 42.2 grams of "China White" or 3-methylfentanyl. The Latvian government acknowledges that Latvian law enforcement needs to show better results for its counternarcotics efforts, despite resource and funding difficulties. The 2005-2008 national strategy takes this into account and indicates the government's intent to increase funding, personnel, and education for law enforcement.
Corruption. Latvia's Anti Corruption Bureau (KNAB) was established in 2003 to help combat and prevent public corruption and has grown in its effectiveness and scope. According to the KNAB Director, his bureau has not found any senior-level Latvian officials to be involved in, encouraging, or facilitating narcotic crimes or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. The USG also has no evidence of drug-related corruption at senior levels of the Latvian government. As a matter of government policy, Latvia does not encourage or facilitate the illicit production or distribution of narcotic or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances, or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions.
Agreements and Treaties. Latvia is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention, the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1961 UN Single Convention as amended by its 1972 Protocol. A 1923 extradition and a 1934 supplementary extradition treaty currently are in force between the U.S. and Latvia. On December 7, 2005, Latvia and the United States signed a new extradition treaty and Mutual Legal Assistance protocol, which will require ratification. Latvia is a party to the UN Convention against Corruption, and to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols against trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling and illegal manufacturing and trafficking in firearms.
Drug Flow/Transit. Narcotic substances are frequently smuggled into Latvia from neighboring countries, principally by ground transport. Seaports are used mainly to transship drugs destined for sale elsewhere. Latvia is not a primary transit route for drugs destined for the United States. Most drugs transiting Latvia are destined for the Nordic countries or Western Europe. Heroin is primarily trafficked via Russia from Central Asia.
Domestic Programs/Demand Reduction. The current national strategy addresses demand reduction, education, and drug treatment programs. Since its passage by the Cabinet of Ministers, the following objectives have been achieved: establishment of a co-ordination mechanism for institutions involved in combating drug addiction (involving eight ministries); establishment of a system for monitoring court directed treatment for addicted offenders; holding educational events for teachers and parents, as well as updated educational materials and informative booklets; inclusion of information on drug addiction in school curriculums; establishment of a pilot program for teaching prevention of drug addiction, alcohol abuse and smoking; pilot programs on drug addiction for local governments; education programs for members of the armed forces; mechanisms for information exchange amongst relevant institutions; and an increase in the number of employees in the regional offices of the Organized Crime Enforcement Department under the State Police. In addition to the State Narcotics Center, Latvia has established four regional narcotics addiction treatment centers in Jelgava, Daugavpils, Liepaja, and Straupe. There are rehabilitation centers in Riga and Rindzele, and youth rehabilitation centers in Jaunpiebalga and Straupe. Data from 2005 showed that Latvia had 27,648 patients in alcoholic addiction programs and 2,441 patients being treated for narcotic or psychotropic drug addiction.
Bilateral Cooperation. The United States offers assistance on liaison programs in Latvia that focus on investigating and prosecuting drug offenses, corruption, and organized crime.
The Road Ahead. The United States will continue to pursue and deepen cooperation with Latvia, especially in the areas of law enforcement and prosecution. The United States will expand efforts to coordinate with the EU and other donors to ensure complementary and cooperative assistance and policies with the government of Latvia. The United States will also encourage Latvia to work with regional partners to advance the mutual fight against narcotics trafficking.
Lithuania's illegal drug trade grew slightly in 2006, even as the government increased funding for drug prevention and control programs, and undertook greater cooperation with international partners in law enforcement work. Lithuania remains a source country for synthetic drugs, especially amphetamines, as well as a transit route for heroin and other illicit drugs. Lithuania is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention.
Cannabis and synthetic narcotics are the most popular illicit drugs in Lithuania, according to the country's Criminal Police Bureau. In 2006, police intercepted several shipments of locally produced amphetamines to Scandinavian countries, and closed down an illicit synthetic drugs laboratory, the 17th amphetamine lab discovered in Lithuania during the past decade. Police also intercepted heroin smuggled through Lithuania, cocaine imports from Venezuela that had transited Western Europe, and several caches of Ecstasy tablets.
The number of people seeking initial treatment for drug addiction has decreased according to the most recent data, falling from 12.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2004 to 10.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2005. Nearly 73 percent of registered drug addicts are younger than 30 years old, and 88 percent are men. Approximately seventy-one percent of the registered 1,173 people living with HIV contracted the disease through intravenous drug use. The Narcotics Control Department's (NCD) survey of drug use in Lithuania showed that 8.2 percent of Lithuania's residents had used drugs at least once in their lifetime, with those 15-34 years old significantly more likely than those 35-64 years old to have tried drugs.
Policy Initiatives. Lithuania's Ministry of Interior, Police, and other law enforcement institutions worked to implement the National Program on Drug Control and Prevention of Drug Addiction for 2004-2008, adopted in 2005. Parliament has passed several new measures aimed at monitoring, treating, and preventing drug addiction.
Accomplishments. Lithuania worked effectively with international partners to break up drug smuggling operations in 2006, making important seizures in cooperation with Norwegian, Swedish, Estonian, Latvian, Russian, and Polish law enforcement partners. Lithuania increased funding to the National Drug Prevention and Control Program from LTL 12.1 million ($4.21 million) in 2005 to 14.6 million ($5.41 million) in 2006. The national police department strengthened prevention and control measures at schools and implemented nationwide educational programs to prevent drug use among youth.
Law Enforcement Efforts. Lithuanian law enforcement officials recorded 1,393 drug-related crimes as of November 2006, a slight decrease from the 1,436 during the same period in 2005. As of November 2006, police and customs had seized 15 kg of poppy straw, 31 liters of poppy straw extract, 140 kg of hashish, 26,050 Ecstasy tablets, 12 kg of methamphetamines, and 25 kg of amphetamines. Lithuanian authorities confiscated 111 kg of synthetic drugs working in cooperation with other countries' law enforcement agencies. They also impounded small quantities (less than five kg each) of heroin, cocaine, marihuana, LSD, hallucinogenic mushrooms, various psychotropic drugs, and precursors.
Using European Union funds allocated for the strengthening of Lithuania's external borders, the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service bought 14 "sniffer" dogs to strengthen border enforcement in 2006.
In 2006, the police shut down one laboratory producing high-quality amphetamines and confiscated 7.89 kg of methamphetamine bases from the laboratory site.
As of November 2006, the Lithuanian court system heard 781 drug-related cases and convicted 827 persons. Sentences for trafficking or distribution of drugs range from five to eight years.
Corruption. Narcotics-linked corruption does not appear to be a major problem in Lithuania. Lithuania does not, as a matter of policy, encourage or facilitate illicit production of drugs or the laundering of proceeds from the illegal drugs trade. Lithuania has established a broad legal and institutional anticorruption framework, but low-level corruption and bribery continues to be the basis of frequent political scandals, and press reports have highlighted corruption in law enforcement structures during 2006. There were no reports involving Lithuanian government officials in drug production or sale or in the laundering of drug proceeds.
Cultivation/Production. Laboratories in Lithuania produce amphetamines for both local use and export, according to the Lithuania Ministry of Interior. Law enforcement agencies regularly find and destroy small plots of cannabis and opium poppies used to produce opium straw extract for local consumption. In 2006, police, in cooperation with customs agents, eradicated 4733 square meters (about one-half of a hectare) of poppies and 233 square meters of cannabis (less than 3 percent of a hectare).
Drug Flow/Transit. According to Lithuanian law enforcement agencies, domestically produced synthetic drugs have been intercepted en route to Sweden and Norway and also passing through Germany, Poland and Denmark. Customs agents have stopped drugs entering Lithuania from all sides; cocaine, Ecstasy, and other synthetic drugs arriving mostly from or via Western Europe; and heroin arriving from Central Asia via Russia and Belarus. Domestically grown poppy straw serves nearby markets in Lithuania, in Russia's Kaliningrad region, and in Latvia.
Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction). Lithuania operates five national drug dependence centers and ten regional public health centers, and several programs aim to reduce drug consumption through education programs and public outreach, especially in schools. The Prisons Department operates a rehabilitation center for incarcerated drug addicts, and spent around LTL 1 million ($350,000) in 2005 to purchase equipment and fund activities to prevent drug trafficking, train officials, and educate inmates.
In 2006, Lithuania's Narcotics Control Department (NCD) implemented targeted drug prevention programs involving parents, teachers, and communities in prevention activities and efforts to keep high-risk youth occupied with better things. In cooperation with the Nordic Council of Ministers, NCD initiated an education project targeted at reducing the use of narcotics in bars and clubs. The NCD has also provided narcotics control and prevention training for members of municipal drug control commissions.
Treaties and Agreements. Lithuania is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention, the 1971 UN Convention against Psychotropic Substances, and the 1961 UN Single Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol. Lithuania also is a party to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols against trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling, and illegal manufacturing and trafficking in firearms. An extradition treaty and mutual legal assistance treaty are in force between the U.S. and Lithuania. Lithuania ratified the UN Convention against Corruption in 2006.
Bilateral Cooperation. Law enforcement cooperation continues to be an area of great success, a result of several years of legal reform and law enforcement training. The United States has successfully cooperated with the Lithuanian authorities in numerous investigations involving fraud, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and other crimes.
The Road Ahead. The United States will continue cooperating with Lithuanian institutions to support drug prevention activities and fight against narcotics trafficking.
Macedonia is neither a major producer nor a major regional transit point for illicit drugs. The government made some progress in combating drug trafficking in 2006 -- illicit drug seizures in Macedonia increased during 2006 -- although domestic use of illicit drugs also rose. The quantity of drugs seized in 2006 increased on average in some categories (heroin, opium, and marijuana), while decreasing in others (cocaine and other psychotropic substances). The government approved the Inter-ministerial Counternarcotics Commission's "Counternarcotics Strategy and Action Plan" on December 16. Macedonian law enforcement authorities cooperated closely with regional counterparts, including the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), in counternarcotics operations. Such operations occasionally were hindered by ineffective interagency coordination and planning, as well as by inadequate criminal intelligence, although there were some modest improvements in interagency coordination compared to the previous year. Macedonia is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention.
Macedonia lies along one of several overland routes used to deliver Southwest Asian heroin (through Turkey and Bulgaria) to Western Europe. Hashish and marijuana produced in Albania travels along the same route to Turkey, where it is exchanged for heroin that is then transported to Western European markets.
Small amounts of marijuana are grown in Macedonia, mainly for personal use. According to government sources, there were no reports of the production of precursor chemicals in Macedonia. Cocaine was not transported to or through Macedonia in significant quantities (although a major seizure of nearly 500 kg of cocaine in January 2007 suggested official figures might have been under-reported). According to MOI sources, trafficking in synthetic drugs appeared to increase in 2006, but seizures were not higher than in 2005. Macedonia produced some poppy straw and poppy straw concentrate, but in quantities insufficient for its pharmaceuticals industry. As a result, some poppy was imported, under license, from Serbia and Australia.
Policy Initiatives. The 2005 draft national strategy and action plan for demand reduction and combating drug trafficking, prepared by the GOM's Inter-ministerial Counter-Narcotics Commission, did not include any provision for adequate funding for its implementation. The government approved the strategy on December 16, and was preparing by year's end an action plan for implementing it.
As of the end of 2006, there has not been a parliamentary vote on draft laws, previously submitted by the GOM, to further strengthen control of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and medical and chemical precursors.
As of October 2006, a draft National Strategy and Action Plan for Prevention, Treatment and Harm Reduction related to drug abuse for 2006-2012, which had been prepared by a working group established and chaired by the Minister of Health, had not been finalized.
Accomplishments. The Witness Protection Law was adopted in May 2005, strengthening the legal framework for combating organized crime and drug trafficking. In November 2006, the Macedonian parliament passed legislation, which will enhance the ability of prosecutors to use wiretaps as evidence in criminal proceedings.
The Ministry of Interior's (MOI) Organized Crime Unit includes a sector for combating illegal drug trafficking and a criminal intelligence cell. However, inadequate MOI intelligence regarding narcotics trafficking hampered counternarcotics efforts.
The Customs Administration continued to strengthen its intelligence units and mobile teams, and police officials claimed cooperation with their Customs colleagues had improved compared to past years. Wide-ranging personnel changes in Customs after the new government took office in August, however, called into question the training and competence of the new Customs cadres.
Law Enforcement Efforts. According to MOI statistics, in 2006 criminal charges were brought against 328 persons, including two juveniles and two police officers, involved in 249 cases of illicit drug trafficking. Police seizures of heroin and, marijuana in 2006 were on average higher than in the previous year. Seizures of other drugs, such as cocaine, hashish, and other psychotropic substances were significantly lower. However, MOI sources believe trafficking in some synthetic drugs, such as Ecstasy, actually rose in 2006, as evidenced in lower prices for such narcotics, reflecting an increased supply on the market.
The MOI reported the following quantities of drugs and psychotropic substances seized:
--heroin, 150 kg (two and a half times more than in 2005);
--marijuana, 309 kg (50 per cent higher than in 2005);
--cannabis, 142 plants (a major decrease from the 3,000 plants seized and destroyed the previous year);
--hashish, 16 grams (about 5 percent of the amount seized in 2005);
--raw opium, 3 kg (a significant increase compared to the 7.8 grams of opium seized in 2005); and
--Ecstasy, 1,377 pills (about half the amount seized in 2005).
In mid-September, a Macedonian court convicted four defendants on drug smuggling charges. All four defendants, (three Macedonian citizens and one Greek citizen) received prison sentences ranging from five to eight years. The convictions resulted from a successful inter-agency, cross-border counterdrug operation involving the Macedonian MOI, Ministry of Justice, and the Special Organized Crime Prosecutor's Unit, working with Greek authorities and U.S. DEA agents.
Corruption. Corruption is pervasive in Macedonia. Low salaries and high unemployment help to foster graft among law enforcement officials. The judiciary remains weak and is frequently accused of corruption. The new government removed the Chief Public Prosecutor, accusing him of having failed to effectively prosecute a range of crimes, including high-level corruption cases. As a matter of policy and practice, however, the government of the Republic of Macedonia does not encourage or facilitate the illicit production or distribution of drugs, or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. Macedonia has signed, but has not yet ratified, the UN Convention against Corruption.
Agreements and Treaties. Macedonia is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention, the 1961 Single Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol, and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. A 1902 Extradition Treaty between the United States and Serbia, which applies to Macedonia as a successor state, governs extradition between Macedonia and the United States. Macedonia is a party to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols against trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling.
Cultivation/Production. Macedonia is not a major cultivator or producer of illicit narcotics. There are no reports of local illicit production or refining of heroin or illegal synthetic drugs. Only one pharmaceutical company in the country was authorized to cultivate and process poppy. Authorized poppy production is reported to the Ministry of Health, which shares that information regularly with the Vienna-based International Narcotics Control Board. Marijuana cultivation in southeast Macedonia continued to present a challenge to authorities, although MOI sources reported only small quantities of the drug were cultivated, mostly for personal consumption.
Drug Flow/Transit. Macedonia is on the southern variant of the Balkan Route used to ship southwest Asian heroin to the western European consumer market. The quantity of synthetic narcotics trafficked to Macedonia in 2006 appeared to increase, largely due to the low cost of such drugs. Most synthetic drugs aimed at the Macedonian market originated in Bulgaria and Serbia, and arrived in small amounts by vehicle. At border crossings with Bulgaria and with Kosovo and Serbia, Customs officials and police seized significant quantities of both outbound and inbound heroin.
Domestic Programs/Demand Reduction. Official Macedonian statistics regarding drug abuse and addiction are unreliable, but the government estimated there were between 7,000-8,000 drug users in the country. The most frequently used drug was marijuana, followed by heroin and Ecstasy. There were an estimated 1,000 cocaine users in the country in 2006, according to official sources. Treatment and rehabilitation activities are carried out in the one state-run outpatient medical clinic for drug users that dispenses methadone to registered heroin addicts. There are also seven specialized local centers for methadone substitution treatment, including one in the largest prison in the country (with over 60 percent of the prisoner population). Nevertheless, Macedonian health officials acknowledge that rehabilitation centers currently are overcrowded. The Ministry of Health announced in June a cooperative project, funded by the EU, to "combat drug-related criminal activity" through the opening of three new addiction treatment centers. In-patient treatment in specialized facilities consisted of detoxification, accompanied by medicinal/vitamin therapy, as well as limited family therapy, counseling and social work. Follow-up services after detoxification, or social reintegration programs for treated drug abusers were inadequate. Educators and NGOs continued to support programs to increase public awareness of the harmful consequences of drug abuse, targeting drug use among youth in particular.
Bilateral Cooperation. During 2006, DEA officers worked with the Macedonian police to support coordination of regional counternarcotics efforts. As reported above, DEA officers supported a successful cross-border Macedonian-Greek counterdrug operation that resulted in the conviction and sentencing of four drug smugglers in September.
MOI police, the financial police, Customs officers, prosecutors, and judges continued to receive USG-funded training in antiorganized crime operations and techniques. USG representatives continued to provide training, technical advice, and other assistance to Macedonian Customs and MOI Border Police units.
The Road Ahead. Macedonia's porous borders and the influence of regional narcotics trafficking groups suggest the country will continue to provide an important route for the transit of illegal drugs, which is likely to boost drug use domestically. DEA officials continue to expect increased use by traffickers of Macedonia as a "warehousing" base during transshipments. Some Macedonian authorities argue, however, that the accession of both Bulgaria and Romania to the EU in 2007 could decrease the flow of illicit narcotics through Macedonia, as Asian suppliers find it easier to reach Western European markets through those two countries.
The United States government, through law enforcement training programs, will continue to strengthen the ability of the police, prosecutors and judges to monitor, arrest, prosecute, and sanction narcotics traffickers. In cooperation with EU and other international community partners, the U.S. will press for implementation and funding of the national counternarcotics strategy, and for a permanent secretariat for the National Commission.
With the passage of wiretapping legislation in November, USG law enforcement training agencies in Macedonia can now focus on working with GOM counterparts to implement the law in order to strengthen the hand of prosecutors in counterdrug cases. The USG will continue to work with the GOM and our international partners to strengthen the criminal intelligence system, and to improve the government's ability to provide reliable statistics on drug use, as well as on arrests, prosecutions and convictions of traffickers.
The Republic of Malta does not play a significant role in the shipment, processing or production of narcotics and psychotropic drugs and other controlled substances. Surveys indicate that illicit drug use is confined to a small segment of the population. The Maltese Government dedicated significant time and effort over the past several years updating Malta's laws and criminal codes in preparation for joining the European Union in 2004. As a result, Malta's criminal code is in alignment with the goals and objectives of the 1988 United Nations Drug Convention. The Malta Police Drug Unit and the National Drug Intelligence Unit (NDIU) continue to improve their capabilities. Success is perhaps best illustrated by the upward trend in seizures of heroin, cocaine, Ecstasy, and cannabis resin over the last five years. This trend is the result of improved coordination and communications among all agencies involved in controlling drugs.
Malta, an island nation of some 400,000 people located between Sicily and North Africa, is a minor player in global production, processing, and transshipment of narcotics and other controlled substances. There is no evidence to indicate that Malta's role in the worldwide drug trade will change significantly in the near future. However, with daily flights, numerous ship calls, a large commercial port, numerous illegal immigrants, membership in the European Union, and frequent international travel by a large percentage of Maltese, Malta is not an isolated country. The drug problem is generally limited to the sale and use of consumer quantities of illegal drugs. There has been a recent increase in the proliferation of recreational drugs such as Ecstasy and also increased use and trafficking of illicit drugs by persons under eighteen. Cultivation activity is limited to less than a few hundred cannabis plants per year.
Malta is not a precursor or essential chemical source country. Malta does not produce or possess significant amounts of precursor or essential chemicals nor does it have chemical manufacturing or trading industries that conduct considerable trade with drug producing regions. There are a number of generic pharmaceutical firms operating in Malta but no evidence of diversion from the production side. There are stringent legislative controls of the pharmaceutical sector and the Maltese Health Department conducts inspections and review of company records.
Since the drug problem in Malta is not widespread, enforcement agencies are able to focus a large percentage of their resources on preventing the smuggling of drugs into Malta. Police and Customs personnel have had significant success through the profiling and targeting of suspected passengers transiting the airport. The Police and the Armed Forces work together to monitor, intercept, and interrupt sea borne smuggling of illegal drugs. Maltese Custom officials have worked to become more adept at detecting and preventing the movement of drugs through the Malta Freeport. Port authorities have shown the ability to respond quickly when notified by foreign law enforcement of intelligence related to transshipment attempts.
Accomplishments and Policy Initiatives. In 2004, the Government of Malta and the United States successfully negotiated a Maritime Counter-Narcotics Cooperation Agreement, but it has not yet been ratified. This treaty concerns "cooperation to suppress illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances by sea" and is intended to assist the interdiction of the flow of drugs through Mediterranean shipping lanes. The text of the treaty is final and has been signed, but has not yet been implemented. In 2006, Malta and the U.S. finalized agreement on the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Ship Boarding Agreement. The Ship Boarding Agreement and the Counter Narcotics Cooperation Agreement will require legislation to amend Malta's civil code.
Law Enforcement Efforts. Maltese law provides the necessary provisions for asset forfeiture of those accused of drug related crimes. In 2006, the Malta Police Force Drug Squad seized several vehicles, boats, and cash property.
2006 Drug Seizures:
The statistics below are for January 1 - November 30, 2006.
A) Coca leaf -- n/a
B) Cocaine -- 4 kg 258.95 g
C) Opium poppy straw -- n/a
D) Opium gum -- n/a
E) Heroin -- 1 kg 883.675 g
F) Cannabis:
- Resin -- 44 kg 931.01 g
- Grass -- 2 kg 862.74 g
- Seeds -- n/a
- Plants -- 39 plants
G) Other
Police statistics also reveal the seizure of:
- 16,559 tabs of Ecstasy
- 50,533 tabs of Ecstasy
- 70.5 tabs of BZP
- 11 kg 812.3 g of Khat
- 84 tabs DHC
- 2 tabs Valium
- 0.5 g of Amphetamines
2006 Arrests:
Arrests -- 499
Nationals -- n/a
Foreign -- n/a
Arraignments for possession -- 392
Arraignments for trafficking -- 101
Sentences awarded -- 243
Raids/Searches -- 369
Corruption. There is no indication of any widespread corruption of public officials associated with illegal drug activities or evidence that a serious corruption problem exists within the ranks of enforcement agencies. Maltese law contains the necessary provisions to deal effectively with official corruption. In 2002 the country's Chief Justice and two fellow judges were arraigned on corruption charges for taking bribes from inmates convicted on drug charges. Investigative agencies used wiretapping authority to identify the judges involved and gather evidence that they were planning to accept bribes in exchange for reducing the sentences of several individuals appealing the terms of their drug convictions. The final outcome in this case is pending appeals filed on behalf of the defendants.
Agreements and Treaties. As part of its accession to the European Union, Malta signed the Council of Europe's Criminal Law Convention on Corruption. The European Union promulgated the convention in order to improve judicial cooperation in criminal matters among the member states and to require all member states to implement "a common criminal policy aimed at the protection of society against corruption." Malta has also signed the UN Corruption Convention, but has not yet ratified it. Malta is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention, the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, and the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. In November 2005, Malta and the United States concluded bilateral negotiations and agreed to a new extradition treaty. The extradition treaty is before the U.S. Senate for advice and consent to ratification; Maltese actions to bring it into force have been completed.
Drug Flow Transit. There is no indication that Malta is a major trafficking location. The Malta Freeport container port is a continuing source of concern due to the volume of containers that passes through its vast container terminal. The USG has provided equipment and training as part of non-proliferation and border security initiatives that also have enhanced Malta's ability to monitor illicit trafficking through the Freeport. This should improve detection and act as a deterrent to narcotics traffickers seeking to use container-shipping activity at the Freeport as a platform for drug movements through the country.
Malta serves as a transfer point for travelers between North Africa and Europe. There are cases of heroin being smuggled into Malta hand-carried by visitors from North African countries (Libya, in particular).
Traditionally, Malta's drug problems involved the importation and distribution of small quantities of illegal drugs for individual use. In 2006, two Mexicans were apprehended at the airport transporting cocaine on two separate days. These apprehensions represented a new trend in that previously cocaine had not been transported directly from South America, but filtered through Europe.
Home to the world's eighth largest ship registry, Malta can be anticipated to be involved in interdiction operations.
Bilateral Cooperation. U.S. law enforcement and security agencies and their Maltese counterparts continue to cooperate closely on drug-related crime investigations. Maltese officials remain interested in securing USG sponsored training for personnel involved in narcotics control.
U.S. Customs has provided several training courses in Malta over the last two years. Under the Export Control and Border Security assistance program managed by the U.S. Embassy at Valletta, the U.S. continues to work closely with port officials to improve their ability to monitor and detect illegal shipments. In 2005, a Coast Guard Attaché was assigned to Embassy Valletta to improve coordination and training with the Maltese Maritime Enforcement Squadron. Training focuses on maritime search and seizure techniques as well as on the proper utilization and operation of a state-of the-art patrol boat. The Embassy's Regional Security Officer (RSO) works closely with the DEA Country Attaché and the FBI Legal Attaché based in Rome to foster cooperative efforts to strengthen law enforcement.
The Road Ahead. The joint effort to provide training, support and assistance to GOM law enforcement agencies has clearly improved the Maltese enforcement ability to profile individuals, possibly involved with trafficking and/or in possession of dangerous drugs. The number of arrests and seizures for drug related offenses has steadily increased, indicating that Maltese authorities want to battle the drug problem within their own country and benefit from close USG cooperation. Close USG-Maltese cooperation, so clearly beneficial to both sides, will continue.
The Moldovan Ministry of Interior (MOI) is responsible for counterdrug law enforcement activity. The Anti-Drugs Unit has 78 officers nationwide. The number of criminal proceedings in 2006 also indicates a noticeable increase in cases sent to trial. Drug usage within Moldova remained a concern; the number of officially registered addicts increased by over six percent, despite the fact that widespread poverty makes Moldova a relatively unattractive market for narcotics sales. Moldova is not a significant producer of narcotics or precursor chemicals, and the true extent of money laundering here is difficult to determine. During 2006, the USG donated several field drug-test test kits to the MOI and financed basic law enforcement training programs (via the Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, "INL") that included narcotics enforcement modules. Additional support in the form of skills training and equipment donations is pending proposed project approval. The USG supported visits of Moldovan police officers, prosecutors, judges and legislators abroad on various capacity-development programs. These programs focused on enhancing techniques related to combating corruption, money laundering, illicit drug trafficking and organized crime. Moldova is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention.
Moldova is an agriculturally rich nation with a climate favorable for cultivating marijuana and poppy. Annual domestic production of marijuana is estimated at several hundred kg. Authorities regularly seize and destroy illicitly cultivated hemp plants and poppy plants. The market for domestically produced narcotics remains small, largely confined to local production areas or neighboring countries. The importation of synthetic drugs continues to grow. A significant problem for Moldova is smuggling of narcotic or psychotropic substances. Investigations performed in 2006 revealed increased cases involving narcotic substances of synthetic origin, such as: methamphetamine, amphetamine, Ecstasy (MDMA) and LSD. These investigations identified 29 networks involved in substance distribution. According to the MOI, domestic drug traffickers remain closely connected to organized crime in neighboring countries. These groups are not only involved in narcotics trafficking, but also trafficking in persons (TIP). Moldova is not a regional producer of any precursor chemicals. During the first ten months of 2006, the MOI discovered 13 cases of medical personal prescribing narcotic or psychotropic substances in violation of the law or appropriate procedure.
Policy initiatives. In February 2005, the GOM approved the Measures to Combat Drug Addiction and Narco-Business for the years 2005-2006. These measures include 70 activities that are structured into the following major groups:
-- establishing the normative framework;
-- organizational and legal issues;
-- preventing drug use;
-- treatment, psychosocial rehabilitation, and social and family reintegration of drug addicts; and
-- ensuring control over the distribution of narcotic and psychotropic substances and their precursors.
Pursuant to its mission of curbing the increasing threat of trans-border crime, in April 2006 the MOI established the Department of Operative Service in order to ensure effective cooperation among existing law enforcement authorities in combating trans-border crimes. The Anti-Drugs Unit comprises 78 officers nationwide. All of the personnel are dedicated exclusively to antinarcotics activity. Moldova also continues to pursue, with U.S. support, anticorruption, antitrafficking, and border control initiatives that supplement counterdrug efforts.
Law Enforcement Efforts. Moldovan authorities initiated 1,691 drug related cases in the first nine months of 2006, as compared to 1,686 cases during the same timeframe in 2005. During 2006, 332 kg of poppy straw and 22 liters of liquid opium were seized, compared with 588 kg of poppy straw and 9 liters of opium seized for the same period in 2005. Heroin seizures decreased considerably in 2006. Twelve grams were seized during the first nine months of 2006. Concerns remain that Moldova, which is primarily a transit country, could become a user country. Twenty-eight cases were identified in which drugs were transferred to detainees serving in prisons. Moldova will need to invest significant resources in education, border enhancement, and further law enforcement initiatives if it hopes to stem the growth of its user population. However, given Moldova's poverty and the scarcity of government resources, significant additional government investment is unlikely.
Corruption. Corruption, at all levels, is a major systemic problem within Moldova but there has been some improvement. The Center for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption (CCECC) is the law enforcement agency responsible for investigating corruption allegations, including those related to narcotics. The CCECC has been accused of political bias in targeting its investigations, although not specifically with regard to narcotics cases. The Government of Moldova, as a matter of policy, does not encourage or facilitate the production or distribution of drugs or launder proceeds from illegal drug transactions.
Agreements and Treaties. Moldova is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention, the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1961 UN Single Convention. Moldova is a party to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols on trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling. Moldova participates actively in arrangements among former Soviet states and others of its neighbors, to cooperate to confront narcotics trafficking and other organized trans-border crimes.
Cultivation/Production. Each year, during July-August, the MOI launches a special law enforcement operation called "POPPY." This operation targets illicit poppy and marijuana fields for eradication. In the first nine months of 2006, 447 hemp fields were discovered and destroyed and 964 poppy fields suffered a similar fate.
Drug Flow/Transit. Seizures of illicit narcotics this year continue to indicate that Moldova remains primarily a transshipment country for narcotics. Information provided by the MOI indicates that two of the predominant heroin routes are from Ukraine through Moldova to Western Europe and from Turkey through Romania/Moldova into the CIS.
Domestic Programs/Demand Reduction. As of November 2006, the number of officially registered addicts in the Republic of Moldova was 8,750. This number represents an increase compared with the same period of 2005 (8,247). In 2006, the MOI organized 17 lectures at educational institutions on the topic of "Drug Addiction - Ways of Prevention." At the same time, three seminars were organized at the MOI Police Academy on the topic: "The Use of Operative Investigative Techniques in Combating Drug Trafficking." There were also concerts for young people to communicate the message: "Dangers of Drug Addiction." In addition, four television shows were broadcast on the national television station regarding similar topics. The MOI also publicized, through high profile media releases, 156 cases involving the apprehension and arrest of drug traffickers. Treatment is an option for only the wealthiest of drug addicts. The Moldovan government and NGOs continued to provide limited information about narcotics and conducted education campaigns, but were unable to meet the demand for treatment of those already addicted.
Bilateral Cooperation. Ongoing USG training and equipment initiatives are designed to improve the abilities of police to investigate and infiltrate organized crime and narcotics syndicates. The U.S. also offers assistance, including customs and border improvement programs aimed at strengthening Moldovan border control. While not specifically related to narcotics-these programs are focused on detecting WMD- they clearly have a "spin-off effect" of reducing the general illegal flow of goods through Moldova, including narcotics. State Department assistance also supported travel abroad by Moldovan police investigators. Customs officials and border guards attended basic law enforcement training courses at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Budapest. The course included sessions on combating organized crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering and corruption. State Department assistance also organized an ILEA Roswell Advanced Management training course for ILEA graduates from Moldova focused on the same issues. In addition, the USG also donated six field drug-test kits to the MOI during 2006.
The Road Ahead. The U.S. and Moldova will continue to work together within the framework of several different U.S. assistance programs to improve the capacity of Moldovan law enforcement to target illicit movement of goods and persons through Moldovan territory.
Organized crime groups use Montenegro as a transit country for cannabis from Albania and Kosovo, and smaller amounts of other narcotics from the Middle East and Latin America, destined for the western Balkans and Western Europe. A small domestic market for illegal drugs exists. The Government of Montenegro is implementing a comprehensive action plan against illegal drugs, and is seeking close law enforcement relationships with other states in the region. Montenegro became an independent state on June 3, 2006, and is in the process of becoming a signatory to relevant international conventions and agreements, including the 1988 UN Drug Convention.
The Government of Montenegro estimates that only a small percentage of the illegal drugs entering the country are for the domestic market. Protection of its borders is a national priority, and the United States and other international donors support those efforts; in particular, U.S. donations of ocean and lake patrol craft have been effective in interrupting water-borne smuggling. However, if left unchecked, the use of Montenegrin territory by drug smugglers could undermine political stability and economic growth, and contribute to crime in neighboring states.
Policy Initiatives. Changes passed by the Parliament in 2006 to the domestic criminal surveillance law will allow the use of improved methods and additional technical means in investigating crimes, including drug trafficking. The adoption in 2004 of the new Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code included antinarcotics provisions meeting objectives in the 1988 UN Drug Convention, and included Montenegro's first Law on Witness Protection, creating a specialized police unit for this purpose as well. In 2006, Montenegro continued discussion with neighboring states on regional cooperation in witness protection.
Law Enforcement Efforts. Training of police officers in techniques for combating organized crime and financial crimes remains central to coursework at the national police training center, re-established as a professional Police Academy on October 25, 2006. Montenegro has retained a separate counternarcotics service in the police force, and is looking to coordinate its efforts with the police surveillance unit, border police, the customs service, and the domestic intelligence service. Montenegrin authorities report that through the end of September 2006, police arrested 320 persons on felony drug charges in 280 cases, with an additional 42 persons charged with misdemeanor drug charges in 38 cases. The police seized 936.7 kg of cannabis, 3.3 kg of heroin, 8 grams of hashish, 69 grams of cocaine, 332 tablets of Ecstasy, and 4.8 kg of precursor chemicals. Two seizures of marijuana crops were made in 2006: one of 400 seedlings, the second of 670 seedlings.
Corruption. Corruption and the perception of corruption are common in Montenegro, and affect both law enforcement and the judiciary. The Government attempts to identify, prosecute and punish instances of official corruption, but does not specify whether the acts underlying specific disciplinary actions and prosecutions are narcotics-related or not. Laws that criminalize any and all corrupt activities by government employees address narcotics-related corruption. The Government has criminalized the production and distribution of narcotic and psychotropic drugs as well as the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions, and enforces these laws as a matter of policy. As a matter of government policy, the GOM does not encourage or facilitate illicit production or distribution of narcotic or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances, or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. Montenegro is a party to the UN Convention against Corruption.
Agreements and Treaties. Montenegro became an independent state on June 3, 2006, and has succeeded to a number of multilateral treaties to which the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro was a party or signatory, including the 1988 UN Drug Convention, the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1961 UN Single Convention, as amended by the 1972 Protocol. Montenegro is also party to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols against migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons. Montenegro has signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with neighboring states to facilitate cooperation in the fight against all forms of crime. As of October 2006, Montenegro has such MOUs with Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia, as well as with the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Montenegro signed an international agreement on Witness Protection Relocation and Cooperation with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in July 2006.
Drug Flow/Transit. Organized crime groups use Montenegro as a transit point for drug smuggling, due to the country's central location, topography - both coastal and mountainous - and its past reputation as a facilitator of smuggling. Cannabis is smuggled from producers in Albania and Kosovo, en route to the Western Balkans and Western Europe; heroin from Southwest Asia transits Albania and Kosovo, crossing Montenegro before being transported further into Western Europe. A joint action by Montenegro, Serbia, and Italy at the end of 2004 into the first half of 2005 seized 200 kg of cocaine from Latin America before it could be smuggled into Western Europe.
Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction). The Government plans to re-convene its expert group to update its 2003-2006 action plan to combat drug use among children and youth. The group includes participants from the Interior Ministry, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Culture, Education Ministry, Justice Ministry, Labor and Social Welfare Ministry, Customs service, local governments, and NGOs. The Government has recognized the potential problem of drug use -- especially synthetic drugs -- among foreign tourists, and the effect upon Montenegro's tourism sector, which is a central pillar of the economy.
Bilateral Cooperation. The Government of Montenegro works closely with the United States and EU countries in reforming and improving its law enforcement and judicial capacity. The United States has provided extensive technical assistance, equipment donations, and training, to the police, customs service, and judiciary. Several U.S. Departments have programs that directly and indirectly support counternarcotics activities in Montenegro, including the Department of Justice (ICITAP and OPDAT programs funded by the State Department), Department of Homeland Security (Montenegro Border Security Program, and U.S. Coast Guard), Department of Defense (Defense Threat Reduction Agency), Department of the Treasury, and Department of State (Export Control and Border Security/EXBS, and SEED foreign assistance funding of Justice, Treasury, and DHS programs).
The Road Ahead. Current U.S assistance programs, which are aimed at professionalizing the police and customs service, improving the ability of Montenegro to control its borders at land and at sea, improving prosecution of corruption and organized crime, including money laundering and illicit trafficking, and increasing the ability of the judiciary to effectively address serious crime are expected to continue. SEED-funded speakers have also helped publicize antidrug campaigns carried out by local NGOs, and will also continue into the future, as the U.S. seeks opportunities to cooperate closely with Montenegro in joint efforts against narcotics smuggling.
With its extensive transportation infrastructure and the busiest maritime port in Europe, the Netherlands continues to be a major distribution point for illicit drugs to and from Europe. A significant percentage of the cocaine consumed in Europe enters through the Netherlands, and the country remains an important producer of Ecstasy (MDMA), although production seems to be declining substantially. The Netherlands' successful five-year strategy (2002-2006) against production, trade and consumption of synthetic drugs will be reviewed at the end of 2006, and a new long-term plan will be published in early 2007. According to the Dutch National Police, three large seizures caused the number of Ecstasy tablets seized in the U.S. that could be linked to the Netherlands to rise to 0.85 million in 2005 from 0.2 million in 2004. 2005 seizures are still down from the 1.1 million seized in 2003 and 2.5 million in 2002. Operational cooperation between U.S. and Dutch law enforcement agencies is excellent, despite some differences in approach and tactics. ONDCP Director Walters praised the Dutch during his April 2006 visit to The Hague for their efforts to curb Ecstasy trade and expressed eagerness to continue progress on the bilateral agreement to exchange scientific and demand reduction information that he and Dutch Health Minister Hoogervorst signed in July 2005. The Netherlands actively participates in DEA's El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC). One hundred percent controls at Schiphol airport on inbound flights from the Caribbean and some South American countries have resulted in a dramatic decline in the number of drug couriers. Dutch popular attitudes toward soft drugs remain tolerant to the point of indifference. The Government of the Netherlands (GONL) and the public view domestic drug use as a public health issue first and a law enforcement issue second. The Netherlands is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention.
The central geographical position of the Netherlands, with its modern transportation and communications infrastructure, one of the world's busiest container ports in Rotterdam and one of Europe's busiest airports, makes the country an attractive operational area for international drug traffickers and money launderers. Production of Ecstasy and marijuana is significant, although a sizeable amount of Ecstasy production has shifted outside the country. There also is production of amphetamines and other synthetic drugs. The Netherlands also has a large (legal) chemical sector, making it an opportune location for criminals to obtain or produce precursor chemicals used to manufacture illicit drugs.
Policy Initiatives. Major Dutch Government policy initiatives in 2006 include:
Cannabis. In June 2006, then-Justice Minister Donner and Interior Minister Remkes announced measures to step up the fight against illegal cannabis cultivation through enhanced cooperation among police, prosecutors, energy companies, housing corporations, insurance companies, and tax and welfare services. The National Prosecution's 2006-2010 plan, published in October 2006, lists prosecuting illegal cannabis cultivation as a major priority area. The investigations will focus on fighting the criminal organizations behind the cannabis plantations.
In June 2006, the Dutch Parliament backed away from a proposal to permit the regulated large-scale production of cannabis to supply marijuana "coffeeshops." Then-Justice Minister Donner, who strongly opposed the proposal, had threatened to resign if Parliament had passed a resolution authorizing a trial program for commercial cultivation of cannabis in Maastricht.
In June 2006, Maastricht mayor Leers suspended his plan to move 7 of the 15 coffeeshops currently in the city center to the city outskirts and closer to the Belgian border. Instead, he and neighboring towns will look for a regional solution to the drug problems caused by drug "tourists." In 2006, Maastricht began a trial project to offer local residents special access passes to coffeeshops. The Netherlands allows sale of cannabis in coffeeshops under vigorous controls and conditions. The objective of the Maastricht trial is to cut down on drug tourism from neighboring countries. If successful, the experiment will be expanded, but it already faces legal challenges aimed at determining whether or not such limitations comply with EU law.
In May 2006, Health Minister Hoogervorst informed Parliament that the government will continue to treat Dutch- grown cannabis with high THC content as a "soft" drug. Research by the National Institute for Health and Environment (RIVM) showed that, although high-THC cannabis use induced elevated heart rates, lower blood pressure and sleepiness, the symptoms were not sufficiently serious to require regulation comparable to that for "hard" drugs. According to RIVM's report, the average THC content of cannabis available in the Netherlands dropped to 17.5 percent in early 2006, from 17.7 percent in 2005.
In March 2006, the Justice Minister sent Parliament an amendment to the Opium Act making it easier for local governments to close down premises where drugs are sold illegally. Under the bill, mayors would no longer have to prove such premises are causing a serious public nuisance, which, in practice, can be very difficult. This authority already applies to public places, such as coffeeshops. The proposed amendment has cleared committee but its final consideration by the Dutch Parliament has been delayed by an election and coalition discussions.
Bilateral law enforcement cooperation treaties with Germany and Belgium/Luxembourg became effective in 2006. Measures have been taken to reduce drug trafficking in border regions. Cross-border surveillance has been intensified and license numbers of drug tourists are being exchanged.
Dutch legislation implementing the EU framework decision on illegal drug trafficking of November 2004 became effective on July 1, 2006. The law, among other things, raises the maximum sentence for large-scale cannabis cultivation and illegal cannabis trafficking from 4 to 6 years imprisonment. A June 2006 study estimated the total number of coffeeshops in the Netherlands at 729 in 2005, down from 737 in 2004. Only 24 percent of the 483 Dutch municipalities allow coffeeshops within their cities - 72 percent do not allow any at all. Half of all coffeeshops are located in the five largest cities. On average, coffeeshops are checked by the authorities four times per year, and the criteria for operating such shops usually are well observed. In July 2006, Rotterdam closed 10 out of the 31 "grow" shops (which sell, among other things, equipment for hemp cultivation) in the Rotterdam region, because they reportedly sold cannabis cuttings and full-grown cannabis plants.
Cocaine Trafficking. As a result of the Schiphol drug policy, which has implemented stricter controls and intensified cooperation with the Netherlands Antilles and Suriname, the number of drug couriers attempting to enter the Netherlands from the Caribbean and South America has been greatly reduced. From January to August 2006, 777 couriers were arrested at the airport, down from 1204 couriers in the same period of 2005. Because of the 100 percent drug controls at Schiphol, Dutch drug couriers increasingly appear to divert to the Dominican Republic as a transit point for Colombian cocaine. In November 2006, Justice Minister Hirsch Ballin sent Parliament an assessment of the Schiphol drug policy, including a long-term plan. According to the Justice Ministry, despite the good results, intensive law enforcement efforts remain necessary to be able to control the problem. DEA and the Dutch Royal Military Constabulary are currently working on possible solutions to a data-sharing problem on individuals apprehended in the Netherlands and charged as narcotics couriers.
In late January 2006, a Rotterdam Customs drug-sniffing dog found 1780 kg of cocaine hidden in an industrial boiler, which had arrived from Curacao by vessel. The drugs had a street value of more than 70 million Euros. In March, Rotterdam Customs found 500 kg of cocaine in a sea container, probably shipped from Trinidad.
Ecstasy. The Government's successful five-year strategy (2002- 2006) against production, trade and consumption of synthetic drugs will be reviewed at the end of 2006, and a new long-term plan will be published in early 2007. According to the Justice Ministry, the UNODC's 2006 World Drug Report shows that the Netherlands has successfully moved away from being the world's leading Ecstasy producing country. The Dutch Justice Ministry noted a shift in production to Belgium and East European countries, including Poland. Canada is now a lead supplier to the U.S.
On December 29, 2005, the Dutch police seized 1800 liters of PMK (precursor for Ecstasy) and 85,000 MDMA tablets, and arrested one subject. The investigation involved close cooperation between the Dutch Crime Squad, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and DEA. In May 2006, the National Crime Squad arrested three people (two Swiss and one Antillean) in Amsterdam suspected of large-scale Ecstasy smuggling to the U.S. The arrests were requested by the U.S. Department of Justice after a DEA operation.
Heroin. On May 10, 2006 the National Crime Squad made routine traffic stop in Rotterdam seizing 200 kg of heroin and arresting five persons. This investigation was coordinated by DEA and Dutch and Turkish officials. In May 2006, cooperation between Dutch and German law enforcement agencies resulted in the seizure of almost 300 kg of Turkish heroin, of which 204 kg were captured in the Netherlands.
Law Enforcement Efforts. The Health Ministry coordinates drug policy, while the Ministry of Justice is responsible for law enforcement. Matters relating to local government and the police are the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior. At the municipal level, policy is coordinated in tripartite consultations among the mayor, the chief public prosecutor and the police. The Dutch Opium Act punishes possession, commercial distribution, production, import, and export of all illicit drugs. Drug use, however, is not an offense. The Act distinguishes between "hard" drugs that have "unacceptable" risks (e.g., heroin, cocaine, Ecstasy), and "soft" drugs (cannabis products). Trafficking in "hard drugs" is prosecuted vigorously and dealers are subject to a prison sentence of up to 12 years. When trafficking takes place on an organized scale, the sentence is increased by one-third (up to 16 years). Sales of small amounts of cannabis products (under five grams) are "tolerated" (i.e., not prosecuted, even though cannabis is technically illegal) in "coffeeshops" operating under regulated conditions (no minors on premises, no alcohol sales, no hard drug sales, no advertising, and not creating a "public nuisance").
The Dutch National Police (KLPD) and the National Prosecutors office continue to give high priority to combating the illegal drug trade. The National Crime Squad (Nationale Recherche - NR), a branch of the KLPD, became operational in January 2004; two of the NR's primary missions are investigating of smuggling and cross border trade in cocaine and heroin, and investigating the production and trade of synthetic drugs. As a result of the 2005 bilateral "Agreed Steps" law enforcement negotiations, DEA has obtained access to the NR office in The Hague, which focuses on cocaine investigations, and, since October 2006, to the NR office in Helmond, which focuses on synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals. Co-location with these units has greatly enhanced effective cooperation, in particular police-to- police intelligence sharing, and has helped to link Dutch drug investigations to major ongoing DEA international operations.
The National Crime Squad (NR) has proven very effective in drug investigations, which has prompted closer cooperation with the DEA. After a meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands and DEA in September 2006, the KLPD National Police Force agreed to join the International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC) as a member country, which will help ongoing efforts to increase communication and cooperation in large and complex narcotics investigations. In addition to working directly with the Chinese on joint precursor chemical investigations, the Netherlands is an active participant in the INCB Project PRISM (a multilateral synthetic precursor chemical control effort).
In May 2006, the Dutch participated in DEA's International Drug Enforcement Conference (IDEC) in Montreal, Canada, as observers. This conference, involving approximately 50 nations, meets to share drug intelligence, identify joint targets and assist in coordinating international drug trafficking investigations. The Netherlands will become a full member of this conference during the May 2007 IDEC conference in Madrid, Spain. In July 2005, the KLPD assigned a liaison officer to Beijing, China to facilitate joint cooperation on precursor chemical investigations.
All foreign law enforcement assistance requests continue to be sent to the DIN (International Network Service), a division of the NR. The DIN has assigned two liaison officers to assist DEA and other U.S. law enforcement agencies. Since the reorganization into the NR, the DIN has allowed DEA and other liaison officers to contact two of the five NR offices directly with requests. In addition, DEA has been allowed to contact regional police offices on a case-by- case basis. This policy has permitted better coordination during ongoing enforcement actions. Under Dutch law enforcement policy, prosecutors still control most aspects of an investigation. Dutch police officers must get prosecutor concurrence to share police-to-police information directly with foreign liaison officers. This can hamper the quick sharing of information. However, the quick sharing of police- to-police information is improving as a result of the increased access for DEA agents with NR units.
The 100 percent controls on inbound flights from the Caribbean and some South American countries continue at Schiphol Airport. Currently, all drug couriers at Schiphol are prosecuted, regardless of the quantity of drugs they are carrying. The manpower required to conduct these 100 percent controls remains a major monetary expense and logistical challenge for the authorities at Schiphol. The program decreases the resources targeted for outbound flight checks. The number of outbound drug couriers going to the United States arrested at Schiphol remains low and has dropped since 2004. The absolute number of couriers coming from the Caribbean and South America to the Netherlands has also dropped since 2004. Current policy to check vigorously all inbound flights at some cost to checks on outbound flights is continually evaluated by the Ministries of Justice, Defense, and Interior.
In August 2006, Health Minister Hoogervorst allocated 20 million euros to the UNODC for fighting infectious diseases among drug users in Eastern Europe and Russia over the next four years. The Netherlands is a leading member of the Dublin Group of countries coordinating drug-related assistance.
| Drug Seizures | 2004 | 2005> |
|---|---|---|
| Heroin kg | 1,244 | 902 |
| Cocaine kg | 12,387 | 14,603 |
| Ecstasy (tablets) | 5,600,193 | 1,854,487 |
| Ecstasy (powder and paste) kg |
303 | 430 |
| Synthetic drug production sites | 29 | 19 |
| Amphetamine kg | 577 | 1,576 |
| Amphetamine (tablets) | 10,355 | 980 |
| LSD (doses) | 52,000 | 25,000 |
| LSD (tablets) | - | - |
| Methadone (tablets) | 13,866 | 13 |
| Cannabis resin kg | 16,101 | 5,484 |
| Marijuana kg | 7,491 | 2,014 |
| "Nederwiet" kg | 2,163 | 2,223 |
| Hemp plants | 1,127,174 | 1,672,103 |
| Dismantled hemp plantations | 2,261 | 2,500 |
(Source: KLPD National Police Force)
Corruption. The Dutch Government does not encourage or facilitate illicit production or distribution of narcotic or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances, or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. No senior official of the Dutch Government engages in, encourages or facilitates the illicit production or distribution of such drugs or substances, or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. Press reports of low-level law enforcement corruption appear from time to time but the problem is not believed to be widespread or systemic.
Agreements and Treaties. The Netherlands is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention, the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs as amended by the 1972 Protocol. The Netherlands is a member of the UN Commission on Narcotics Drugs and the major donors group of the UNODC. The Netherlands is a signatory to the UN Convention Against Corruption, and is a party to the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols on trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling. The U.S. and the Netherlands have fully operational extradition and mutual legal assistance agreements (MLAT). The Netherlands was one of the first countries to sign the Caribbean regional maritime counternarcotics agreement when it opened for signature in April 2003, but has not yet taken the necessary domestic legal steps to bring it into force.
Cultivation and Production. Although commercial (indoor) cultivation of hemp is banned, about 80 percent of the Dutch cannabis market is Dutch-grown marijuana ("Nederwiet"). The Prosecution's Department's 2006-2010 plan of October 2006, which lists the department's priorities for the next four years, singled out cannabis cultivation as a major focus area. According to this report, some 2,500 cannabis plantations were dismantled in 2005, up from 2,261 in 2004. Because such operations take up significant police resources, and because dismantled production sites often simply relocate, the prosecutor's office wants to give priority to tackling the criminal organizations behind the plantations, for instance through asset seizures. Although the Dutch government has given top priority to the investigation and prosecution of large-scale commercial cultivation of Nederwiet, tolerated coffeeshops appear to create the demand for such cultivation. On June 2006, Dutch Parliament backed away from a proposal to permit the regulated large-scale production of cannabis to supply marijuana "coffeeshops." Then-Justice Minister Donner, who strongly opposed the proposal, had threatened to resign if Parliament had passed a resolution authorizing a trial program for commercial cultivation of cannabis in Maastricht.
The Netherlands remains one of the largest producers of synthetic drugs, although the National Crime Squad (NR) has noted a production shift to Belgium and Eastern Europe. According to the NR, there also appears to be a shift from Ecstasy to amphetamine production. The NR seized an enormous 42,181 liters of chemical precursors in 2005 compared to 11,120 liters in 2004. The total number of Ecstasy tablets with an alleged Dutch connection confiscated by U.S. authorities rose to 0.85 million in 2005 from 0.2 million in 2004, but is still down from 1.1 million in 2003. The NR attributed the rise in 2005 to three major MDMA seizures. The number of Ecstasy tablets seized in the Netherlands totaled 1.85 million in 2005, down from 5.6 million in 2004.
According to the 2005 NR report, 2005 drug seizures around the world that could be related to the Netherlands involved more than 13 million MDMA tablets and 23 kg of MDMA powder (compared to 10 million tablets and more than 1,000kg of MDMA powder in 2004). MDMA (powder and paste) seizures in the Netherlands in 2005 rose to 430kg from 303kg in 2004. The number of dismantled production sites in the Netherlands for synthetic drugs dropped to 19 in 2005 from 29 in 2004. Of the 19 production sites, 8 were for amphetamine and 3 for Ecstasy production, 5 were meant for Ecstasy tablet making, 1 for LSD, 1 for GHB, and 1 for meta- chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP).
Drug Flow/Transit. The Netherlands remains an important point of entry for drugs to Europe, especially cocaine. The Dutch government has stepped up border controls to combat the flow of drugs, including the successful Schiphol Action Plan. Cocaine seizures in the Netherlands rose to 14,603kg in 2005 from 12,387kg in 2004. Of the 2005 seizures, some 4,494kg were seized at Schiphol, of which 3,518kg from passengers and 976kg in air cargo. Because of stronger controls at Schiphol, traffickers have diverted to other European airports or alternative routes. The government has expanded the number of container scanners in the port of Rotterdam and at Schiphol airport. Controls of highways and international trains connecting the Netherlands to neighboring countries have also been intensified.
Demand Reduction. The Netherlands has a wide variety of demand and harm-reduction programs, reaching about 80 percent of the country's 26,000-30,000 opiate addicts. The number of opiate addicts is low compared to other EU countries (2.6 per 1,000 inhabitants); the number has stabilized over the past few years. The average age of opiate addicts has risen to 40 and the number of overdose deaths related to opiates has stabilized at between 30 and 50 per year. According to the Dutch their use of needle supply and exchange programs have kept the incidence of HIV infection among intravenous drug users relatively low. Of the addicts known to the addiction care organizations, 75 percent regularly use methadone.
According to the 2005 National Drug Monitor, the out- patient treatment centers registered some 30,745 drug users seeking treatment for their addiction in 2004, compared to 29,173 in 2003. The number of cannabis addicts seeking treatment rose to 5,500 in 2004 from 4,485 in 2003, but the number of opiate addicts seeking treatment dropped from 15,195 in 2003 to 13,929 in 2004. Statistics from drug treatment services show a sharp increase in the number of people seeking help for cocaine addiction, from 2,500 in 1994 to 10,000 in 2004. About 61 percent of addicts seeking help for cocaine problems are crack cocaine users.
The Trimbos Institute is expected to publish updated drug prevalence statistics in early 2007. Below are the latest available statistics of drug use among students ages 12-18. (Percent of respondents reporting use at least once in their life-time and use in the last month)
| Life-time use | Last-month use | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 1999 | 2003 | 1999 | 2003 |
| Cannabis | 20.0 | 19.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Cocaine | 2.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 0.8 |
| Heroin | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.5 |
| Amphetamine | 2.8 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0.8 |
| Ecstasy | 3.9 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 1.2 |
(Source: National Drug Monitor 2005, Trimbos Institute)
Drug prevention programs are organized through a network of local, regional and national institutions. Programs target schools in order to discourage drug use, and use national mass media campaigns to reach the broader public. The Netherlands requires school instruction on the dangers of alcohol and drugs as part of the health education curriculum. The "healthy living" project developed by the Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (the Trimbos Institute) continues to run in about 75 percent of Dutch secondary schools. The three-year cannabis information campaign launched in 2004 by the Health Ministry and the Trimbos Institute warning young people in the 12-18 age group about the health risks of cannabis use also continues. The 24-hour national Drug Info Line of the Trimbos Institute has become very popular.
Bilateral Cooperation. U.S. and Dutch law enforcement agencies maintained excellent operational cooperation, with principal attention given to countering the Netherlands' role as a key source country for MDMA/Ecstasy entering the U.S. The U.S. Embassy in The Hague has made the fight against the Ecstasy threat one of its highest priorities. Dutch law enforcement has dramatically improved its acceptance of controlled delivery operations with the DEA, but there remains room for improvement in accepting reasonable U.S. proposals for controlled deliveries. Dutch authorities continue to resist use of undercover criminal informants in investigations of drug traffickers. They are also reluctant to admit the involvement of large, international drug organizations in the local drug trade and do not use their asset forfeiture rules often. Bilateral law enforcement cooperation continues to expand under the "Agreed Steps" list of action to fight drug trafficking. We have also noted improved and expedited handling of extradition requests. The U.S. is also working with the Netherlands to assist Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles in countering narcotics trafficking. The 10-year agreement between the U.S. and the Kingdom for the establishment of Forward Operating Locations (for U.S. enforcement personnel) on Aruba and Curacao became effective in October 2001. Since 1999, the Dutch Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) has been working with NIDA on joint addiction research projects. The Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport has provided the Trimbos Institute for the years 2006-2007 with financial means to set up a continuing dialogue with U.S. counterparts with the aim of bringing scientists and professionals in the field of drugs and drug addiction together to create a better understanding of the respective problems the Netherlands and the United States face in tackling drug use.
Since 1994, U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDETs) have embarked Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) vessels in the Caribbean Sea to conduct counterdrug operations under an informal arrangement. In 2001, the USG presented text of a proposed LEDET MOU to the GON. The draft MOU would provide the legal framework for future LEDET operations from RNLN, and perhaps Antilles Coast Guard, platforms. Meanwhile, we continue to operate under the well-settled practices developed since 1994.
The Road Ahead. U.S.-Dutch bilateral law enforcement cooperation is expected to intensify in 2007, particularly through DEA's access to the two NR drug units in The Hague (cocaine) and Helmond (Ecstasy). The bilateral "Agreed Steps" process will continue to promote closer cooperation in international investigations, including Ecstasy and money laundering cases. The bilateral exchange on Drug Demand Reduction will also continue in 2007 as well as the collaboration between ZON and NIDA on drug addition research projects. We expect the follow-up to the Dutch government's successful Ecstasy Action Plan, which expired at the end of 2006, to further improve Dutch counter narcotics efforts.
Norway's illicit drug production remained very low in 2006. As in the past, Norway continued to tightly control domestic sales and exports and imports of precursor chemicals. The volume of drugs seized increased along with the number of drug seizures. Of the 2006 seizures, cannabis accounted for 45 percent followed by amphetamines (nearly 20 percent) and benzodiazepines (16 percent). Other drugs accounted for 19 percent of seizures. The police continued to step up efforts to track and intercept drugs in transit. Norway is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention.
Norwegian illicit drug production remained very low in 2006 mainly due to Norway's tight regulations governing domestic sales, exports and imports of precursor chemicals, and Norway's unfavorable climate for naturally-based drug cultivation. However, Norway remained a popular market and transit country for drugs produced in Central/Eastern Europe and elsewhere. Looking ahead, Norway is unlikely to become a significant source for diverted dual-use precursor chemicals because of the country's prohibitive regulatory framework and strong law enforcement.
Policy Initiatives. The Ministry of Health and Care Services continued its Narcotics and Alcohol Abuse Treatment and Prevention Reform program in 2006. Its activities were documented in its annual survey "Status Report on the Drug & Alcohol Situation in Norway". The report states that the national government, represented by the regional health enterprises, has the responsibility for treatment and prevention of narcotics and alcohol abuse. The principal aim of state centralization is to provide improved and uniform health and counseling services for drug and alcohol abusers countrywide. In 2006, the Ministry of Health and Care Services continued to encourage the use of Oslo's drug injection room for drug addicts; more rooms are reportedly slated to follow. The rationale for the injection rooms is to remove the drug addicts from the streets and to provide addicts with sterilized injection needles in a controlled environment.
The national government unveiled Norway's 2006-2008 Counter-Narcotics Action Plan in late 2005. In the plan, the Health and Care Services Ministry underscores that the Norwegian Government's counternarcotics policy remains comprehensive and coordinated. The Ministry calls for continued international cooperation to combat drug abuse and stressed that increased rehabilitation of drug offenders was a priority in Norway. Meanwhile, the joint Narcotics Action Committee (established in 2003) continued its work on government narcotics policy. According to the committee's mandate, it will evaluate preventative strategies and propose drug rehabilitation and treatment measures. The committee is also mandated to study the premises behind current narcotics policy and propose long-range policy changes.
The Norwegian Police Directorate, a part of the Justice Ministry, continued to implement Norway's 2003-2008 Counter-Narcotics Action Plan, with the police carrying out an increasing number of countrywide and border drug raids. The Police Directorate has a helicopter that is used in narcotics investigations, specifically in tracking narcotics criminals. The Police Directorate's 2003-2008 Action Plan carries forward plans and initiatives to meet the objectives of the 1988 UN Drug Convention. The Plan focuses on reducing domestic drug abuse, identifying and curbing illicit drug distribution, and curbing drug abuse among drivers of motor vehicles. The Norwegian Police Directorate has announced that that the list of narcotics drugs is going to be revised in 2007. The Police Directorate supports the Verdal Initiative (Verdal is a small community in northern Norway), where the local community has introduced measures to curb narcotics use. The Verdal Initiative is based on community cooperation to combat illicit drug use and is a model for other parts of Norway. This initiative involves voluntary nighttime patrols by citizens to report on those in the local community that openly use narcotics, and more visible police patrols in the streets to serve as deterrence. In addition, the Police Directorate supported various local antidrug and rehabilitation actions in 2006. Norway's Customs and Excise Directorate (CED) continued its counternarcotics efforts. The CED has now been equipped with mobile X-Ray scanners that can detect drugs, illegal firearms, and alcohol in vehicles passing major border crossings. The CED continued implementing its own counternarcotics plan aimed at curbing drug imports, and seizing illicit drug money and chemicals used in narcotics production. The CED coordinates its efforts closely with the police and the Coast Guard.
Law Enforcement Efforts. According to statistics compiled by the Norwegian police crime unit (KRIPOS), the number of drug seizures in 2006 rose by 10.5 percent to an estimated 26,238 cases (up from 23,754 cases in 2005). The narcotics police also note increases in the volume of some drugs seized (e.g., cocaine) as the police continued to focus attention on bulk drug suppliers rather than individual abusers. Of the seizures made in 2006, cannabis accounted for 45 percent, amphetamines 20 percent, benzodiazepines 16 percent, and other drugs accounted for 19 percent of total seizures. In 2005 (the most recent year in which figures were available), the number of persons charged with narcotics offenses rose 7 percent to approximately 37,500 - compared with 35,000 in 2004. In order to discourage the use of narcotics substances, Norwegian law enforcement authorities have continued to make coordinated raids at border crossings against smuggling rings and to impose heavy fines relating to narcotics offenses. In a move to improve law enforcement, the Ministry of Justice gave permission in 2005 to use bugging devices to investigate narcotics offenders.
Corruption. Norway does not encourage or facilitate illicit production or distribution of narcotics or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. Senior government officials do not engage in, encourage, or facilitate illicit production or distribution of such drugs or substances, or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. According to Norway's penal code, corruption of Norwegian and foreign officials is a criminal offense.
Agreements and Treaties. Norway is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention, the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1961 UN Single Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol. Norway is also a party to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols against trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling and illegal manufacturing and trafficking in firearms. In June 2006 Norway ratified the UN Corruption Convention. Norway has an extradition treaty and customs agreement with the U.S.
Cultivation/Production. In 2006, sporadic, and very small amounts of illicit crop cultivation were discovered. Very small quantities of Norwegian-grown cannabis concealed as potted or cultivated plants in private premises were detected. While there is concern that narcotics dealers may establish mobile laboratories to convert chemicals into drugs, the police did not uncover significant synthetic drug production in 2006.
Drug Flow/Transit. According to the police crime unit KRIPOS, the 2006 inflow of illicit drugs remained significant in volume terms with cannabis, heroin, benzodiazepines, Ecstasy, amphetamines topping the list. Most illicit drugs enter Norway by road from other European countries and other countries in Eastern Europe and Asia. As in the past, some drugs have been seized in commercial vessels arriving from Europe and Central/South America.
Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction). Government ministries and local authorities continue to initiate and strengthen counter narcotics abuse programs. According to the Ministries of Health and Care Services, the reduced number of drug-related deaths suggests that these programs have been successful. While the maximum penalty for a narcotics crime such as trafficking in Norway is 21 years imprisonment, penalties for carrying small amounts of narcotics are mild.
Bilateral Cooperation. DEA officials consult with Norwegian counterparts whenever a Norwegian case has a U.S. nexus.
The Road Ahead. Norway and the U.S. will continue to cooperate on narcotics related issues both bilaterally and in international fora, especially the EU.
Poland has traditionally been a transit country for drug trafficking. However, improving economic conditions and increased ease of travel to Western Europe have increased its significance as a consumer market and a producer of amphetamines. Illicit drug production and trafficking are closely tied to organized crime. Poland is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention.
Traditionally Poland has been a transit country for drug trafficking. Improved economic conditions and increased ease of travel to Western Europe have increased Poland's significance as a consumer market and a producer of amphetamines. Illicit drug production and trafficking are closely tied to organized crime, and while Polish law enforcement agencies have been successful in breaking up organized crime syndicates involved in drug trafficking, criminal activities continue to become more sophisticated and global in nature. Poland finalized a National Program for Counteracting Drug Addiction in July 2002, and in 2004 allocated a budget for its implementation. Cooperation between USG officials and Polish law enforcement has been consistent and outstanding, and Poland's EU accession has accelerated the process of GOP diligence on narcotics policy.
Policy Initiatives. The total 2006 budget for state institutions is estimated at over $38 million. The complete information on the costs of the antidrug program, called the "National Plan," which will include both national and local government funding, will be available in mid-2007. By comparison, in 2005 the total costs of implementing the National Plan amounted to over $90 million, which was an increase of approximately 30percent. In addition, the National Bureau for Combating Drug Addiction has a 2006 budget of $3.4 million, up slightly from $3.2 million in 2005.
Law Enforcement Efforts. Polish National Police cooperated with DEA in numerous narcotics investigations targeting drug trafficking organizations that import controlled substances into Poland, as well as those that export controlled substances to the United States. The National Bureau for Drug Addiction is well-known for its openness and cooperation in discussing drug-related issues. To fight international crime, the use of informants, telephone taps, and controlled deliveries are now all permitted by Polish law, and a witness protection program is in place. Poland continues to strengthen its relationship with Interpol in international policing efforts. Additionally, it works closely with the European Police Office (Europol) and has signed a border crossing agreement to monitor its eastern border. Police law enforcement officers go to Brussels for training.
On October 27, customs officers from Bialystok made the largest drug bust of the year at the Lithuanian border. They inspected a Lithuanian truck and found 570 liters of BMK - a precursor for the production of amphetamines. This amount of BMK could have produced 500 kg of amphetamines, with a market value of $8.3 million (25 million PLN). Each customs officer received a bonus of $3,300 (10,000 PLN).
The Paprocki case was another notable drug bust. The investigation involved cooperation between DEA's Warsaw and Tampa, FL District Offices and Polish police's Warsaw and Gdansk offices. Cooperation on this case led to the seizure in Poland of large quantities of MDMA (Ecstasy), amphetamines, and $112,000 in counterfeit U.S. currency, as well as leading to the dismantling of the amphetamine laboratory.
| 2004 | 2005 | Jan-Jun 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heroin (kg) | 65.6 | 41.1 | 53.16 |
| Cannabis (plants) | 15,440 | 34,916 | 5,899 |
| Marijuana (kg) | 207.5 | 201.4 | 103.9 |
| Amphetamines (kg) | 236.5 | 308.6 | 214.6 |
| Hashish (kg) | 41 | 18.5 | 9.5 |
| Cocaine (kg) | 21.7 | 12.8 | 10.99 |
| Ecstasy (tablets) | 269,377 | 487,268 | 77,321 |
| LSD (strips) | 34,28 | 2,157 | 620 |
| BMK (liters) | 4,970 | 716 | 411 |
Corruption. A comprehensive inter-ministerial anticorruption plan contains strict timelines for legislative action and for the implementation of strict and transparent anticorruption procedures within each individual ministry. Instances of small-scale corruption (bribery, smuggling, etc.) are prevalent at all levels within the Customs Service and among police. The number of cases investigated and successfully prosecuted relative to the number of reported incidents, however, remains low. The U.S. Government has worked closely with the Polish National Police to improve police training on ethics and corruption, and has presented several training courses on the subject under a Law Enforcement Assistance Agreement.
Agreements and Treaties. Poland has fulfilled requirements to harmonize its laws with the EU's Drug Policy. Poland is a party to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols against migrant smuggling, trafficking in persons, and illegal manufacturing and trafficking in firearms. In September 2006, Poland ratified the UN Corruption Convention. Poland is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention, the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1961 UN Single Convention, as amended by the 1972 Protocol. An extradition treaty and MLAT are in force between the U.S. and Poland. In May 2004, Poland became a full member of the Dublin Group of countries coordinating narcotics assistance.
Drug Flow/Transit. While synthetic drugs are manufactured in Poland (the precursors are usually imported from other countries), heroin, hashish, cocaine, and Ecstasy frequently transit the country, as does opium in all forms originating from Afghanistan. Poland produces a large amount of high quality amphetamines in clandestine laboratories located throughout the country. Polish organized crime syndicates then distribute the amphetamines throughout the European community, especially in Russia, Germany, and the Scandinavian countries. Destinations for these drugs are primarily Western Europe and the United States. There are also North-South routes transiting or leading to Poland. Polish police believe that most of the drugs transiting Poland are headed to Germany and the United Kingdom. Sea-based shipping routes are also utilized; some of the largest seizures in Poland have taken place at the Baltic port of Gdansk. Police, however, report that they lack a basis to estimate with any precision the amount of illegal drugs transiting through Poland.
Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction). Demand reduction objectives of the National Plan include reducing the spread of drug use, limiting the spread of HIV infections connected with drug use, and improving the quality and effectiveness of treatment. The Plan also seeks to improve training and coordination between various Polish law enforcement authorities, including the CBS and the border guards. The CBS has made the controlling and monitoring of precursors their top priority. The Law on Counteracting Drug Addiction also requires the Ministry of Education to provide a drug prevention curriculum for schools and to provide support for demand reduction projects based on a community approach. The Ministry of Education requires all schools to incorporate a drug prevention curriculum in their programs, however, schools are able to modify and tailor their drug prevention curriculum to meet individual school needs. To assist teachers with this task, the Ministry has a Center for Psychological and Didactic Assistance, which offers professional training and programs to develop drug prevention curriculum.
Policy Initiatives. Training under the State Department-funded narcotics assistance program from 2002 through 2005 was highly successful, but this program has expired and will not be renewed. Operational cooperation through joint investigations will continue and should be enhanced by the new DEA office (see below).
Bilateral Cooperation. In August, DEA opened its office in the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw. In past years, Poland was handled from Berlin, Germany. DEA maintains close contact and holds numerous operational liaison meetings with Polish law enforcement officials. The highly successful 2002 Letter of Agreement between Poland the United States under the International Criminal Investigative Training and Assistance Program (ICITAP) expired in 2005 and has not been renewed. In 2006 DEA sent a member of the Polish National Police to the United States for training.
The Road Ahead. Poland's accession to EU membership on May 1, 2004 played a key role in sharpening the GOP's attention to narcotics policy. The EU is by far the largest donor to Poland's counter narcotics activities, facilitating even closer collaboration between Poland and its neighbors to the East and the West. GOP priorities for 2007 will continue to include better educational campaigns addressed to specific target groups (including media campaigns, and a 'peer campaign' for children and students) and continuing the pilot program for the assessment of the quality of medical, rehabilitation, and health harm reduction treatments provided by various institutions. Authorities will also continue to focus on the creation of a strategy for counteracting drug addiction at the local (township) level.
Portugal is a significant gateway into Europe for drug shipments from South America and North Africa. Overall drug seizures in Portugal in 2006, as compared to 2005, significantly increased. For example, seizures of cocaine increased from 7.2 metric tons in the first six months of 2005 to 30.4 metric tons during the same period in 2006. In the first half of 2006 seizures of hashish and heroin diminished by 78 and 48 percent respectively. U.S.-Portugal cooperation on drugs has included visits to Portugal by U.S. officials and experts, and training of law enforcement personnel. Portugal is party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention.
Drug smugglers use Portugal as a gateway to Europe, their task made easier by open borders between the Schengen Agreement countries and by Portugal's long coastline. South America was the primary source for cocaine arriving in Portugal, largely from Brazil and Venezuela, both of which have large resident Portuguese populations. Other primary source countries were Morocco and Spain, especially for hashish. Cocaine and heroin enter Portugal by commercial aircraft, truck containers, and maritime vessels. The Netherlands, Spain and Belgium are the primary sources of Ecstasy in Portugal. Drug abuse within the Portuguese prison system continues to be a major concern for authorities.
Policy Initiatives. Portugal decriminalized drug use for casual consumers and addicts on July 1, 2001. The law makes the "consumption, acquisition, and possession of drugs for personal use" a simple administrative offense. In March 2002, Portugal created the Maritime Authority System and the National Maritime Authority. This authority, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, combats drug trafficking in coastal waters and within Portugal's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). On October 11, 2006, Portugal passed a law approving the creation of a two-year program targeted at preventing drug use among at-risk populations in Portugal. The government approved a 2,600,000 Euro budget targeting families with a history of substance abuse; youth with a record of delinquency and school absenteeism; and individuals with relatives working in bars, nightclubs or other locations of known drug consumption.
Law Enforcement Efforts. Portugal has seven separate law enforcement agencies that deal with narcotics: the Judicial Police (PJ), the Public Security Police (PSP), the Republican National Guard (GNR), Customs (DGAIEC), the Immigration Service (SEF), the Directorate General of Prison Services (DGSP), and the Maritime Police (PM). The PJ is a unit of the Ministry of Justice with overall responsibility for coordination of criminal investigations. According to a 2006 semi-annual report prepared by the PJ, the Portuguese law enforcement forces arrested 2,087 individuals for drug-related offenses in the first six months of 2006 as "traffickers/consumers." Most were Portuguese citizens, followed by a number of nationalities, such as Cape Verdeans (198), Angolans (52), Spanish (40), Brazilians (31), Bissau-Guineans (29), and Venezuelans (27). The 2006 PJ semi-annual report indicates a significant increase in the cocaine seized in the first half of 2006 compared to the first half of 2005. Seizures of cocaine increased four-fold. In the first six months of 2006, the PJ seized over 30.4 metric tons of cocaine, up from 7.2 metric tons in the same period in 2005. Hashish seizures decreased by about 78 percent, Ecstasy seizures decreased by 12 percent and heroin seizures declined by 48 percent. The 2006 PJ report indicates the following monetary seizures related to narcotics: 5.9 million Euros in cash, 49.7 thousand Euros in assets and the equivalent of over one million Euros in foreign currency. In February 2006, "Operation Portuguese Soul" located and halted 8.2 metric tons of cocaine in transit towards Europe. In August 2006, Operation "Tornado" seized six metric tons of cocaine and six million Euros en route to Europe.
Corruption. As a matter of government policy, Portugal does not encourage or facilitate the illicit production or distribution of drugs or substances, or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. No senior Portuguese officials are known to be involved in, or encourage, such activities.
Agreements and Treaties. Portugal is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention, the 1961 UN Single Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol, and the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Portugal is a party to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols against trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling. Portugal has signed, but has not yet ratified, the UN Convention against Corruption. A Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) has been in force between Portugal and the U.S. since 1994. Portugal and the U.S. are parties to an extradition treaty dating from 1908. Although this treaty does not cover financial crimes, drug trafficking or organized crime, certain drug trafficking offenses, are deemed extraditable in accordance with the terms of the 1988 UN Drug Convention. On July 14, 2005, the U.S. and Portugal signed agreements on extradition and mutual legal assistance pursuant to the U.S.-EU Agreements on these subjects. When these enter into force they will modernize the criminal law relationship between the U.S. and Portugal.
Drug Flow/Transit. Portugal's long, rugged coastline and its proximity to North Africa offer an advantage to traffickers who smuggle illicit drugs into Portugal. In some cases, traffickers are reported to use high-speed boats in their attempts to smuggle drugs into the country and some traffickers use the Azores islands as a transshipment point. The U.S. has not been identified as a significant destination for drugs transiting through Portugal.
Domestic Programs. Responsibility for coordinating Portugal's drug programs was moved to the Ministry of Health in 2002. The Government also established the Institute for Drugs and Drug Addiction (IDT) by merging the Portuguese Institute for Drugs and Drug Addiction (IPDT) with the Portuguese Service for the Treatment of Drug Addiction (SPTT). The IDT gathers statistics, disseminates information on narcotics issues and manages government treatment programs for narcotic addictions. It also sponsors several programs aimed at drug prevention and treatment, the most important of which is the Municipal Plan for Primary Prevention. Its objective is to create, with community input, locality-specific prevention programs in thirty-six municipal districts. IDT runs a hotline and manages several public awareness campaigns. Regional commissions are charged with reducing demand for drugs, collecting fines and arranging for the treatment of drug abusers. A national needle exchange program was credited with significantly reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, although HIV infections resulting from injections are still a major concern in the Portuguese prison system.
Portugal is implementing its National Drugs Strategy: 2005-2012, with an intermediary impact assessment scheduled for 2008. It builds on the EU's Drugs Strategy 2000-2004 and Action Plan on Drugs 2000-2004 and focuses on reducing drug use, drug dependence and drug-related health and social risks. The system will include prevention programs in schools and within families, early intervention, treatment, harm reduction, rehabilitation, and social reintegration measures. Drug demand reduction measures take into account the health-related and social problems caused by the use of illegal psychoactive substances and of poly-drug use in association with legal psychoactive substances such as tobacco, alcohol and medicines. The program aims at