ITALY:

Statistical estimates of users;

The number of addicts is estimated at 150.000 to 200.000. About 40.000 persons were being treated, plus about 10.000 in resedential therapy communities. 30 to 40 % of the persons being treated were HIV sero-positive. 90% of the persons were addicted to heroin, with 5 to 6% treated for cannibinoids. The number of drug deaths registered for 1991 is 1279;

Legal aspects;

Italian law confirms the illicitness of the personal use of illegal substances, but punishes only possession. Possession of a quantity of an illegal substance below the average daily dose, fixed by the Ministry of Health, is punishable by administrative penalties, with criminal penalties commensurate with the offence of drug-pushing for larger quantities. Both administrative and criminal penalties may be suspended if the subject agrees to undergo treatment. The use of methadone is subject to ministerial regulations and is available at State help centres. The sale of syringes by pharmacies has been liberalised;

Competence and funding;

The law on drug dependence which entered into force on 26 june 1990 has redifined the institutional instruments for the formulation of policies and action programmes for the fight against drugs. The President of the Council of Ministers chairs the National Coordination Committee for the fight against Drugs, which compromises the competent Ministers and is supported by a committee of experts and the Permanent Observatory for the Drugs Phenomenon. In the various regions of Italy There are 517 State help centres for drug addicts which operate as part of the State Health Service. The drug law and other legislation provided for the funding of the following activities over the period 1990-1992: 230.000 ECU a year for the creation and operation of the Central Service for Alcohol, Narcotic and Psychotropic Substance Dependence attached to the Health Ministry; 3,9 million ECU a year for the employment of 200 social assistants within the Ministry of Internal Affairs; 2,6 million ECU a year for the operation of Ministry of Public Education committees whose main task is to prevent drug addiction in schools; 20 million ECU for expanding the State drug addiction services and 120 million ECU to finance anti-drug projects presented by the ministries, regions and local authorities; 97 million ECU a year to finance help for drug-addicted and AIDS- infected prosoners; 6,5 million ECU for the marketing of non-reusable syringes; 25 million ECU for 1991 for employment of State services staff to work on the prevention of AIDS among drug addicts. The UNICRI/DACC will be the Focal Point within EMCDDA for Italy;

Prevention and treatment;

The 1990 law of Italy has changed but largely consolidated its laws governing drugs and psychotropic substances, the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of drug addiction. The promotion of nationwide educational and information activities is especially directed at schools. A publicity campaign to prevent drug abuse, aimed primarily at young people was carried out parallel to the AIDS campaign. The Ministry of Health has promoted the expansion of educational initiatives which have proved effective and is to support initiatives of other agencies, which will be coordinated with the measures implemented by the Ministry of Public Education. Italy has a range of possibilities for voluntary, anonymous treatment and even the employees of the public drug dependence service may not be obliged to testify in courts of law or any other authority on any matters that have been disclosed to them in a professional capacity. Recently a national referendum was held where a majority of the Italian people decided for a more liberal approach of drug users.