Slovakia at the forefront of methamphetamine use in Europe
The high fines for cannabis cultivation have recently stirred up the Slovak public while marijuana is no longer a problem in some European countries.
According to the Slovak Pravda, many people have recently been outraged by the extremely severe punishments for people who grow marijuana for medical purposes. The story of Josef Šipoš, who was imprisoned for 15 years for growing cannabis for the production of ointments, is particularly striking.
However, Slovakia has not always had such strict laws. Drug policy expert and lawyer Jakub Popik explains that this is the reaction of lawmakers to the big heroin problem in the 90s. At that time, due to the war in Yugoslavia, the smuggling route shifted and passed through Slovakia. Through Bratislava, heroin went further into Europe, and many people became addicted in Slovakia as well.
"We weren't ready for it at the time, and it affected the whole generation," explains Jakub Popik.
However, increased fines did not lead to the eradication of drugs. It was assumed that if you complicate the functioning of the market, create obstacles such as increased fines, then drug prices will rise. But this has not happened. The price is stable and even decreasing for some drugs, such as marijuana.
"There are no less drug addicts, if that is the indicator we wanted to achieve. We have no fewer young people who use drugs," says Mr. Popik. "If we wanted to have a more burdened police force with less trust, we have it again. If we are talking about protecting public health, we have done the opposite," he adds.
We did not get rid of drugs. On the contrary. According to Jakub Popik, alcohol and nicotine are the most commonly used drugs today. They are followed by marijuana, which every fifth Slovak has tried at least once in his or her life.
However, the shocking information comes from wastewater measurements involving the cities of Bratislava and Piestany. Both cities are leaders in methamphetamine use and availability in Europe.
According to a report prepared by Australian universities, Slovakia is currently ranked fifth in the world for methamphetamine use. Australia is in first place. The Czech Republic is in second place. Latvia and New Zealand are next.
After Slovakia, the top ten "meth" countries are Turkey, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland. Denmark rounds out the top ten methamphetamine "lovers."
Slovakia is not even in the top twenty for cocaine use, which is a good result.
In terms of cannabis use, the country is lagging behind and is last on the list of popularity.