Impact of drug distribution and use

• Author: Chryso Pelekani, Loizos Symeou
• Pages: 19-21

19

IMPACT OF DRUG DISTRIBUTION AND USE

Definition of the problem

Cyprus has had a national strategy against drug dependence since 2004.28 The main axes

of the strategy are reducing demand and supply, and providing programmes for the

rehabilitation and social reintegration of drug users, particularly among members of

vulnerable groups.

In recent years, the non-implementation of this strategy has created serious problems and

shortfalls in addressing the public health problems caused by drug dissemination and

use.29 An investigation has found that in Cyprus the drug most in demand is cannabis,

with 4.3 per cent of the population declaring themselves to be users, while cocaine,

amphetamines, and MDMA (Ecstasy) all had declared rates of below one per cent.30 In

recent years, early interv ention program mes have aimed to develop recovery among

young users.

A responsible officer of the RoC Drug Law Enforcement Unit (DLEU) said to the authors of

this report: ΟIn terms of vulnerable groups, these cases are recorded by the Cyprus

National Addiction Authority.31 They are children from single-parent families, children from

families where either the mother or the father is in prison, children who are not privileged

in society and whose families receive aid from social services, etc.Π (Interviewee 9).

In Cyprus, drugs are classified as A, B or C according to their level of harm, with Class A

drugs causing the most harm. Penalties for drug use in Cyprus extend to life imprisonment

for all classes of drugs, but a life term has never been imposed. Possession for personal

use is regarded as a serious criminal offence, punishable by up to 12 years in priso n for

Class A drugs, eight years for Class B and four years for Class C. However, first -time

offenders under 25 are not given sentences of more than a year.

In 2016, a law was introduced allowing those accused of drug-related offences other than

supply and serious felonies to apply for a treatment alternative to imprisonment.32 In

recent years there has been a tendency towards the use of this alternative punishment. A

judge, following the advice of the Advisory Committee established by law, has the option

of either ordering a defendant to undergo treatment in a rehabilitation centre or serve a

penalty.33 In the pre-trial phase there is an alternative t o prosecution for juvenile drug

offenders arreste d for the first time and a protocol for referring them to mental health

services. Our informant explained that Οyoung drug users who meet certain criteria, they

28 The first National Drugs Strategy 2004-2008 was the first project in Cyprus aiming in developing a

holistic policy for drug dependence. Available at: https://www.naac.org.cy/uploads/epaggelmaties-

sinergates/bc3e3f845c.pdf (Retrieved on 5 December 2019)

29 Ministry of Health, Archived Speeches, Implementation of Government Policy to prevent the use and

dissemination of drugs. Available at:

https://www.moh.gov.cy/Moh/MOH.nsf/All/EBE34BF10A67085EC2257869002E336F?OpenDocument Retrieved

on 5 December 2019)

30 , M. (2018) infographic:          .

(infographic: The drugs in Cyprus map and death loads.) Available at:

http://www.reporter.com.cy/fakelos_narkotika/article/387599/ (Retrieved on December 5, 2019

31 The Cyprus Anti-Drugs Council renamed as Cyprus National Addiction Authority. The Authority that

coordinates and controls all the measures and interventions aimed at addressing dependencies. Available at:

http://www.cylaw.org/nomoi/enop/non-ind/2017_1_164/full.html

http://www.cylaw.org/nomoi/arith/2018_1_067.pdf

32 Cyprus, Country Drug Report 2019, available at: http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/countries/drug-

reports/2019/cyprus/drug-laws-and-drug-law-offences_en (Retrieved on 5 December 2019)

33 More information can be found on the Cyprus National Addictions Authority website. Available at:

https://www.naac.org.cy/el/katigoroumenon-xriston-ousioeksartimenon