CEDRO PRESS RELEASE

Estimated cannabis use in the Netherlands substantially lower

The Netherlands most probably has a far lower number of cannabis users than previously assumed. According to research into drug use in Tilburg and Utrecht, the estimated number of cannabis users in the Netherlands is between 220.000 and 400.000. This represents 1.7 to 3.0 percent of the population ages 12 years and older. Tilburg is a medium-sized town in Southern Holland; Utrecht is the country's fourth largest city and situated in the centre.

The use of other illegal drugs (cocaine, ecstasy, amphetamines, LSD and heroin) is low in both towns. In Utrecht, 6.8 percent of the population had previously used one of the above substances; for Tilburg, this percentage is 3.2 percent. However, the use of other illegal drugs in the month preceding the survey is considerably lower, i.e., 1.4 percent in Utrecht and 0.4 percent in Tilburg. Therefore, much of the consumption of other illegal drugs is experimental rather than regular drug use. These are the findings of a survey by the Centre for Drug Research (CEDRO) at the University of Amsterdam.

Also examined was the use of legal drugs and the consumption of sleeping pills/tranquillisers. 39.9 percent of the Tilburg population and 41.0 percent of the people of Utrecht smoke cigarettes. This is almost the same percentage as in Amsterdam (40.8 percent). The consumption of alcohol in the capital is slightly lower than in the other two towns. There, 69.3 percent had used alcohol in the last month, compared to 73.5 percent in Utrecht and 74.9 percent in Tilburg. The use of sleeping pills and tranquillisers in Utrecht and Tilburg is low. Between five and seven percent of the population had taken sleeping pills in the previous month; between four and six percent had used tranquillisers. These medicines are nearly always prescribed by a physician unless they are homeopathic remedies. Finally, the number of persons not using any drugs at all (including alcohol and tobacco) was investigated. Strikingly enough, Amsterdam takes the lead again: approximately one fifth of the population had not used any drugs - including alcohol and tobacco - in the month preceding the survey. In Utrecht this applied to 17.2 percent and in Tilburg to 14.7 percent of the population.

National cannabis use

Since there are no new national studies on drug use in the Netherlands, the figures that are going around are based on estimates. The new estimation of the total number of cannabis users is specifically based on cannabis use in Tilburg. With regard to housing, age structure and employment situation the population of Tilburg is very typical for the Dutch population. The best known estimate of the number of cannabis users is 675.000. This number was used at the drug debate in the Dutch Lower House (1996) and is also mentioned in the official Dutch drug report to the European Union. However, this estimation was based on the cannabis use in Amsterdam and on a national survey that was carried out in schools. In both cases it is doubtful whether the examined groups are representative of the Dutch population as a whole. Amsterdam has considerably more 'singles' and young adults, i.e., groups with a generally higher prevalence of use. Neither can students be conside!red representative of the Dutch population. Incidentally, figures for the entire country will soon no longer have to be based on local surveys since a national study on drug use in the Netherlands is currently being carried out by CEDRO.

"Het gebruik van legale en illegale drugs in Utrecht en Tilburg" was written by Marieke Langemeijer, Roelf-Jan van Til and Peter Cohen of the Centre for Drug Research (CEDRO) at the University of Amsterdam.

Editorial note

For research review copies, please contact the public relations department of the University of Amsterdam, Klaas Dijkhuis, tel.: (+31) 20 525 2695.

For further information: CEDRO, Marieke Langemeijer, M.P.S.Langemeijer@mail.uva.nl

"Het gebruik van legale en illegale drugs in Utrecht en Tilburg" (135 pages, NLG 25.-) is available in any bookstore in the Netherlands and Flanders, and can be ordered from publishing house Mets in Amsterdam. The book can also be ordered via Internet:
http://www.frw.uva.nl/cedro/order/

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CEDRO - Centre for Drug Research, University of Amsterdam
http://www.frw.uva.nl/cedro/
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