THE PREVALENCE OF DRUG-USE WITH REFERENCE TO PROBLEM USE IN FINLAND

The first general population mail survey of the prevalence of drug use in Finland was conducted in 1992. The data consisted of 3,457 respons es with a response rate of 70.7%. The persons surveyed were from 18 to 74 years old. These data are supplemented with data about ''problem u se'' of drugs in Finland, which is mostly characterized by the mixed u se of medicines (also medicines containing opiates) and alcohol. There were clear signs of an increase in the mixed use during the last few years, During the last year cannabis was used by 1% of the population. The use of opiates and amphetamines was very limited, and there had n ot been any special changes in their use. According to the statistics of social and health welfare sources, the need for services caused by the use of drugs had been only about 1% of the whole intoxicant (mostl y alcohol) problem during the past few years.