In Switzerland, 5 tons of cocaine are consumed each year – Switzerland: standard

In Switzerland, about 5 tons of cocaine are snorted, pulverized and smoked each year. This is the result of a unique study: scientists from the University and the Lausanne University Hospital and the Swiss Foundation for Addiction have analyzed the cocaine market in the United States. Canton of Vaud. By extrapolation, they finally determined the national consumption. "Apart from cannabis, the cocaine market is bigger than any other drug sales market," concludes Frank Zobel, vice president of Addiction Switzerland

. The authors rely on analyzes of drugs. 39 wastewater in several cantonal treatment plants. Gauges sampled daily for one year and later were examined for traces of benzoylecgonine. A substance that the body excretes after the use of cocaine.

At the same time, the study is based on surveys. Since 2011, the national surveillance of drug addiction questions about 11 000 people per year on their consumption of addictive substances. It has turned out that the usual users of cocaine do not exist. He is the ordinary worker as well as the boss of the big company, says Zobel. It is clear, however, that about 20% of consumers consume about 80% of cocaine marketed

Highly stretched

By including the amount of cocaine confiscated by police, researchers have established an annual volume of 416 to 500 kilograms the Vaud. And 5 tons for Switzerland. "The canton of Vaud can be considered as a canton of reference," explains Zobel. With Lausanne as an urban center where pulsating nightlife and more rural areas, the Vaud is a reflection of the nation. The authors base their hypotheses on the large number of samples and discussions with the police and authorities of other cantons. Zobel: "The 5 tons should be relatively accurate."

A mountain of coke, as heavy as an adult elephant cow – it confirms the image that other studies in Switzerland draw regularly . Every year, the European Medicines Agency tests sewage from European cities, up from 56 the year before, with Zurich coming in second with 934 milligrams of cocaine per day per 1,000 people in the gloomy ranking. St. Gallen, Basel, Bern and Geneva also figured in the top 10.

The Vaud study also indicates that cocaine, which is bought on Swiss roads, is in great demand. Especially with powder for baby milk, not rarely with dangerous substances. The product comes from laboratories in South America, reaches the mainland via Spain or Holland and is distributed from there. In addition, the trade is not organized hierarchically – not by the barons of coke, but by many small fish.

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Created: 11.07.2018, 21:11