Rise in Problem Drug Use in Greece Attributable to Eurozone Economic Downturn

"According to the latest data from the Greek Documentation and Monitoring Centre for Drugs, the number of persons with problematic drug use (heroin as the primary addictive substance) rose by 11.6% between 2008 and 2010 (from 20,181 cases in 2008 to 22,515 cases in 2010)^53,54; among those aged 35 to 64 years, the increase was far more intense at 88.2% (from 4875 cases in 2008 to 9176 cases in 2010). Taking into account that in 2010 the average age for initiation of injection drug use was estimated at 22.4 years old,⁵⁴ this sharp increase of older heroin users in Greece indicates probable relapses rather than new cases, presumably associated with the ongoing economic downturn."