Europeans have a new favourite drug
The report, released in Lisbon but also made available in Brussels, coincided with a European Commission decision to launch wide-ranging consultations on curbing drug consumption.
European Justice Affairs Commissioner Franco Frattini called for a harmonisation of anti-drug legislation across the European Union and said the focus should also be on eradicating international networks which are trafficking drugs around the world.
The EMCDDA's new study said that among school students in many European countries the use of hallucinogenic ('magic') mushrooms exceeded that of ecstasy.
The Czech Republic, the Netherlands, France and Belgium recorded the highest consumption rates of up to eight percent while the lowest levels were recorded in Cyprus, Finland and Romania (below 0.5 percent).
A total of 150 'smart shops' in the drug user-friendly Netherlands which specialise in legal psychoactive herbal substances, had played a key role in kick-starting the new magic mushroom trend, the EU's drug watchdog said. Market stalls in Ireland and Britain also helped boost the popularity of the drug.
In addition, the Internet provides 'a multilingual marketing channel and e-commerce sales outlets offering doorstep delivery', the agency said.
'Magic' mushrooms are most popular among clubbers, the EU agency said, adding taking hallucinogenic mushrooms is more common among young people who have used other illegal drugs than among young people who have not.
According to the European Commission, more than 8 000 people - mainly young men in their 20s and 30s - die of drug overdoses each year. The total number of drug-related deaths - including accidents, violence and Aids - is estimated at over 20 000.
Drugs are becoming cheaper, purer, stronger and more easily available in Europe, the EU commission highlighted, adding that the drugs industry 'is in excellent health'.- Sapa-dpa
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