PH.D. ANDRAS BENKO

Organisation: National Institute of Forensic

Titre: Hysteria or Real Danger - The Drug Question in Hungary Today

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of drug abusers and registered narcotic addicts is increasing rapidly.

Today 1.76 million opium addicts, 750 thousand heroine addicts, and 4.8 million cocaine addicts are registred throughout the world. Though the majority are in developed nn-socialist countries, similar concerns exist in East European countries.

In Hungary no accurate statistical on drug addicts are available. The estimated number amounts to about 30 thousand persons. The Single Convention of Narcotic Drugs estimates there are only three thousand drug addicts; with 2,500 codeine consumers; 300 morphine, pethidine, and methadone consumers, and about 200 marijuana users. There is however, agreement that the rate of addiction is increasing.

The suspected reasons for the increasing rate of drug addiction are:

- geographical location

- economic conditions

- Socioeconomic problems in Hungary

Hungary is a Middle European Country, a significant point of transit between the Middle East and Western Europe. In recent years increased commerce and tourism has contributed to the illegal trade of narcotic drugs.

Given the economic circumstancs of Hungary, it is not considered a target country for the illegal trade of narcotics. This can be explained by the nonconvertibility of Hungarian currency. Domestic drug addicts first try to procedure their drug dosage from public pharmacies, using false prescriptions. Approximately 10 to 14 thousand false prescriptions of psychotropic substances are screened yearly by the home control of pharmacies. Another group of drug addicts tries to produce homemade drugs. The appearance of illegal poppy growers is a characteristic feature of this action.

Our social problems offer a poor cultural-medium for the eradication of the drug habit in Hungary. We see these concerns over several years in statistical reports. Let me mention some characteristic data. The number of suicides is outstandingly high, according to international statistical data. One third of all suicide cases are derived from poisonings. 60 percent of poisonings cases tested in the National Institute of Forensic Toxicology are due to drug intoxication. In numerous cases we could find in our test procedures a positive blood alcohol level, in addition to drug ingredients. Also the number of hard drinkers in Hungary is abnormally large.

One-sixth of the rising generation is leaving under circumstances that put them at risk and threaten the fight against drug addiction. Because of the high number of divorces, every third child under state care carry inherent or institute-developed deviant and aggressive behavior. Juveniles under state carries form the core of drug addicts, according to police observations. The majority of these are weak-willed or creatively inhibited juveniles who have lost their perspective. The fact that the narcotic addict lifestyle enjoys sympatpathy among young people is particulary dangerous. Also, the majority of juveniles in this disadvantaged position are affected by the unfortunate emergence of unemployment in Hungary.

Our public is uninformed. It is frightened and confused. Besides an unwillingness to help, disinterest and indignation can be observed.

In many cases social organs, institutions and churches will render assistance to drug addicts. The National Institute of Forensic Toxicology tracks the cases, assists criminal investigations, and assists drug patients who have chosen voluntary detoxification and medical treatment in an asylum.

In cooperation with the drug-psychotherapeutic department of the National Neuropathological and Psychopathological Institute, blood and urine samples of drug addicts are systematically analyzed. The test result provide valuable information on reabsorption of various chemical substances, rates of elimination, and metabolism rates. These measurements are utilized in assisting the medical attendant in the proper choice of therapy.

In order to investigate drug addiction cases, a closer cooperation was developed ith the police. Direct contact between the measuring station and the investigators was justified by the fact that unlike traditional postmortem forensic toxicological examinations, suspects and victims of drug cases are usually living persons. Thus in order to maintain evidence that is accurate, rapid availability of results is needed.