Tag: Drug

Drug abuse hospitalisations dropped again in Germany in 2022

Drug

Frankfurt, June 25, 2024 (dpa/NAN) The number of people that were hospitalised in Germany due to illegal drug use dropped once again in 2022, according to new government figures released on Tuesday.

The Figures had been declining in Germany since peaking in 2016.

Germany’s Federal Statistical Office said that around 17,200 cases were counted in the country in 2022 for treatment over use of heroin, cocaine, LSD or other illegal drugs.

That’s a drop of 17 per cent compared to 2016, when there were almost 20,800 hospitalisations.

Although the numbers has been falling steadily since then, the number of hospitalisations remains much higher than several decades ago.

In 2002, just 9,500 people were treated in hospital for drug abuse, 81per cent lower than in 2022.

Two thirds of patients (66 per cent) in 2022 were male, around a third (34 per cent) were female.

According to the data, more than half of those treated (55 per cent) were between 18 and 39 years old, while 8 per cent were not yet adults.

Hospital treatments as a result of cannabis, tobacco or alcohol consumption were not included in the statistics.

Tobacco and alcohol have long been legal in Germany, while cannabis was made legal in the country earlier this year. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

COO/HS
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Edited by Cecilia Odey /Halima Sheji

Fiji, New Zealand to tackle drug problem in Pacific region

Drug

Suva, June 6, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon have pledged to bolster efforts to combat the growing drug trafficking problem in the Pacific region.

Both leaders expressed deep concern over the impact of drugs on the countries at a press conference on Thursday.

Luxon highlighted that Fiji and New Zealand police forces have been working closely together on tackling drug problem, which is “a big challenge.”

Luxon visited the Fiji Police Detector Dog Unit and urged continued investment in detector dogs to strengthen efforts against drug trafficking.

He reiterated New Zealand’s commitment to assisting Fiji and the region in combating narcotics.

Rabuka highlighted the recent significant drug bust in Fiji, emphasising the scale of the problem.

Earlier this week, the Fijian cabinet endorsed the National Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023-2028.

Key focus areas under the strategy include reducing demand for narcotics, reducing supply, reducing harm and legislative reform.

Others are data collection, analysis, and information sharing, the establishment of a drug addiction treatment centre, partnership, coordination, and international cooperation.  (Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

UMD/AMM

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Edited by Ummul Idris and Abiemwense Moru