Notes:

The general term 'reports for drug law offences' is used since definitions and study units differ widely between countries. For definitions of the term 'reports for drug law offences', refer to Drug law offences – methods and definitions.

(1) In 2000 to 2002, data refer to a number of persons (only the main offence is counted), although the same person could be counted several times if arrested several times during the same year. Before 2000 and since 2003, data refer to a number of offences (each offence is represented as one separate record in the database). These changes are likely to affect comparability across time.

(2) Since 2002, the statistical unit has changed to cases (persons in previous years). This change is likely to affect comparability across time.

(3) Between 1985 and 1994, figures refer to a number of arrests made by the police of drug law offenders. From 1995, figures refer to a number of initial reports of individuals suspected of drug law offences by all law enforcement authorities.

(4) From 2002, persons for whom the substance is not known are also included in the total: they account to 34282 in 2002, 34256 in 2003 and 32608 in 2004; particular caution is required when analysing time trends as this change highly affects comparability of data across time.

(5) From 1985 to 1994, data include only persons under restriction (criminal offences); while from 1995, persons at liberty (criminal offences) are also included. From 1985 to 1996, figures include only criminal offences; while from 1997, non-criminal offences (sentenced by administrative sanctions) are also included. These changes are likely to affect comparability across time.

(6) Data refer to the year during which criminal investigations were closed (vs. year during which offences were committed).

(7) Data refer to cases registered by the public prosecutor.

(8) The total number of reports for drug law offences includes reports for drug-related deaths until 1999 and reports for psychotropic substances and precursors since 1998.

(9) Since July 2001 drug use and possession for use have been decriminalised and are since then an administrative offence; consequently data on such offences, although included in this table, come from a different monitoring system. However, 2001 data should be taken with caution since this new monitoring system was been tested for the first time.

(10) Since 2002, data are provided by a different source; this change is likely to affect comparability across time.

(11) 2002 data refer only to police data, while after 2002 data refer to all data reported by the main prosecuting authorities (police, gendarmerie, customs); this change is likely to affect comparability across time.

See also 'General notes for interpreting data' on the Explanatory notes and help page.

Source:

REITOX national focal points