International - Greece

Greece - Data

(2007) "Analyses estimated that there were 2.7 problem drug users per 1 000 inhabitants between the ages of 15–64 years in 2007 (in total, between 18 224 and 23 181 users). The majority of these lived in Athens. The estimated numbers have been stable since 2002 taking into account their confidence intervals."

(2007) "In 2007, a total of 4 786 individuals entered treatment out of which 2 246 were first time treatment clients. In 2007, the primary substance of abuse among all clients entering treatment were opioids, at 86.2 %, followed by cannabis at 8.2 % and cocaine at 3.8 %. Furthermore, among those entering treatment for the first time, the primary substance of abuse was opioids at 80.9 %, the second most frequent substance was cannabis at 12.2 %, followed by cocaine at 5.2 %."

(2005) "In 2004–05, the data indicate that infection rates among IDU (ever-in-lifetime IDUs [intravenous drug users]) have ranged between 15.3 % and 29.1 % for the HBV [Hepatitis B] antigen and between 42.6 % and 66 % for HCV [Hepatitis C]. Comparing the rates over the four years, the data show that the HBsAg prevalence among IDUs decreased between 2001 (4.3 %) and in 2006 (3.6 %)."

(2004) "Overall, lifetime prevalence of illicit drug use showed a significant increase between 1984 and 2004, peaking in 1998 and followed by downward trend between 1998 and 2004. The most recent survey (2004) shows that 8.6 % of the Greek population aged 12–64 reported lifetime use of illicit drugs, mainly cannabis."

(1999) "Drug-free treatment seems to be dominating the treatment offered in Finland, Greece, Norway and Sweden. The tendency in those countries is to have shorter treatment periods of three to six months instead of one to two years, although in Greece the mean duration of treatment is 12 months."

(1990s) "Injecting drug use has decreased strongly during the 1990s in most, but not all, countries. As a consequence, rates of injecting drug use (measured among opiate users entering treatment) differ strongly, from a low of about 10% in the Netherlands to a high of about 70% in Greece."

"In Greece, data from indirect indicators (treatment, deaths, low-threshold services) suggest that problem drug use is increasing."

Greece - Law and Policy

(law) "In Greece, Law No 3189, which took effect on 21 October 2003, amends certain provisions of the Greek drugs Law, No 1729/87. The possession and/or use of any drug ‘in a quantity corresponding solely to the user’s own needs’ will henceforth be subject to a penalty of ten days’ to one year’s imprisonment (instead of not more than five years as hitherto)."

(law) "The Greek drug law of 1987 and its amendments were codified in 2006. Under this law, drug offenders in Greece are assessed as either dependent or non-dependent. The law distinguishes between drug possession or acquisition for personal use or commercial use, and the punishment varies accordingly. In 2003, a new law stipulated that individuals obtaining or otherwise processing drugs for personal use only, in quantities to satisfy their own needs only, or using drugs or cultivating cannabis plants in numbers and areas justified for personal use only, are sentenced to no more than one year in prison. In accordance with this law, the offence is not recorded on the offender’s criminal records on condition that they do not commit a relevant offence for a five year period. Offenders may be admitted to a special treatment unit or a special prison department operating under the auspices of lawfully-recognised agencies upon the order of the investigating judge. Traffickers may be sentenced to between five and 20 years' imprisonment, with a life sentence possible."