A new threat:

The
identification of new illegal
substances in Athens drug
markets

Petros Triantos KETHEA.

23rd ESSD ANNUAL CONFERENCE Athens (Greece) October 4 6,

Presentation Structure
Social and Economic conditions
The Street work programme
The Research
Questions for further look

Socio-Economic Conditions

The Impact of Economic Crisis

in the General Population
Nutrition
Housing
Employment
Drug use
Mental Health
Physical Health
Mortality
Criminality
Education
Suicidal Behavior
Social inequalities
Rights violation
(Levy & Sidel 2009, , Stuckler et,al,, 2009, Uutela 2010)

Drug Addicts in Europe

Nutrition
Housing
Employment
Drug use
Mental Health
Physical Health
Mortality
Criminality

Education

Suicidal Behavior
Social inequalities
Rights violation

Undernourished in their vast majority

9% Homeless (7,5%)
47% Unemployed (61,3%)
Multi users, IDUs
Increased co morbidity (depression mostly)
IDUs : 40% HCV (35,6%-64%), >5% HIV
10-20 times more than the general
population
Significant percentage of criminal
behavior,Incarceration
40% not complete secondary education
(31,5%)
14 times more than the general population
Deterioration on the financially weak
Social racism and exclusion
(EMCDDA, 2010, KETHEA 2011, Greek Focal Point 2011)

In a financial (and social) crisis

environment
Theres a dramatic decrease of addicts financial capability for
buying their daily dose
Theres a major cutback on the resources for welfare services
Theres an increase in criminality rates
Addicts are prefer cheaper substances and insecure patterns of
use
Survival instinct is loosen
Expectations for dealing with life problems are decreasing
(Hopeless feeling)

Changing Trends in the

Greek Drug Market
Presence of many immigrants
Decreased cost of well know substances (Cocaine)
Heroine still the drug of choice but percentages are
decreasing
Induction of new substances (synthetic drugs)
Economic and social crisis

The Street Work Programme

Street work Programme

Runs from 1995
The main areas of interest are:
Athens Center
Athens suburbs with significant
presence of drug dealing venues

Target Population
Drug users
(Homeless, immigrants,
prostitutes)
Dependent people who want to be
informed about therapeutic programmes
Dependent individuals without
therapeutic demand but with needs for
Psychological support and Harm
Reduction

Services
Counseling
Referrals for hospital care
Safe use kits and condoms
distribution
Health Seminars (in collaboration
with other NGOs)

Main Goals
Reduction of health damage caused by
substance abuse
Improvement of living standards
Motivation for minor changes
Information on services
Counseling support according to the
special needs of the individuals we
approach

Street work contacts

Research on Shisha

Street Work research on

Shisha
There were several references from addicts in the street that a new
drug has made its appearance and its taking a dominant place in
Athens drug market
First this substance was quite popular among the immigrants but
soon it spread through Greeks too
First reports described a cheap, high toxic and easy to find drug.
Unofficial reports claim that ingredients such are battery fluids and
chlorine used for the shisha output
Unofficial reports claim that there labs that produce the substance
are in many places in Athens.

Research Details
148 addicts were participated
Period: June September 2011
Self administered questionnaire (close ended
questions and one open ended question)
Street work staff present in order to
accommodate

Archaeological
Museum Area 42%

Off Club 27%

Omonoia Sq
17%

Basic Demographics
Men 73%
Age between 31-35
30,4% are also participating in methadone
programs
Heroine as main substance: 63,2%

About Shisha
Know the drug: 95,3%
Tried: 65,5%
Smoking 68%
Injection:15,5%
Occasional use: 68,5%

Shisha Economics
Wide Range of Price per gr.
From 2-3 to 20 per gr.
82,3% consider Shisha very easy to find
and buy.

Consumers views
Stimulant action
Weight Loss
Insomnia
Aggressiveness
Nervousness
Referred as a cocaine substitute (like methadone for heroine)
Impact effect: 15-20 min
Urge for sexual activity
Connected with deaths from ODs

Quotes from Open Question

Cant sleep, cant eat, your eyes expand, cant stop talking.
Blows your mind, you want to slang, hit anyone and steal anything
you can...
Its cheap, Its dangerous, Some say that you loose your mind
Cant eat, 5 people commit suicide after use, it blows your mind,
You have illusions.
Some say that when you smoke it you cant sleep for 3-4 days and
at the same time it take the heroine out of you...

Questions for further

investigation
What is it about?
(The reality apart for myths )

Is there a connection with crystal meth?

(Inadequate number of samples (6) , difficulties in recognizing the
ingredients)

Is there a connection with the rapid increase of HIV/AIDS

among the drug users? (an increase of 1500% between
2010-2012)
(As it leads to an increase sexual activity)

Need for services

(street work programmes, low threshold interventions,connection and
services networking)

A new threat:
The
identification of new illegal
substances in Athens drug
markets

Petros Triantos KETHEA.

23rd ESSD ANNUAL CONFERENCE Athens (Greece) October 4 6,