Alcohol and other drugs

Statistical information

Reykjavik 2003 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council – Statistical information © The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003

Copyright law prohibits the reproduction, storage, or transmission in any form, by any means of any portion of this publication without the express written permission of the author.

Voucher: Thorgerdur Ragnarsdóttir, Director of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council. Convulsion and photos: Thórunn Steindórsdóttir Digital printing: Offset ehf. Bookbinding: Offset ehf. / Bókbandsstofa ES

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council Barónstígur 47, 101 Reykjavík Telephone: 585 1470 Fax: 585 1313 E-mail: [email protected] website: www.vimuvarnir.is Contents Statistical information

CONTENTS

Introduction...... 1-2

Alcohol sales...... 3-11

Treatment organizations...... 12-37

Substance use-related deaths...... 38-46

Drug offences...... 47-52

Alcohol act violations...... 53-56

Drunken driving...... 57-61

Accidents and deaths due to drunken driving...... 62-67

Sexual violence...... 68-71

Research...... 72-81

Table index...... 82-90

References...... 91-92

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 3

AlcoholIntroduction Sales Statistical informationStatistics

AINLTCROOHDOULCSTAIOLNES

Alcohol sales and their fluctuations are commonly used as a gauge of the total consumption ofThe alcohol. report "AlcoholAmong those and Otherdoing Intoxicants:so is the World Various Health Statistics", Organization which (WHO).came out Alcohol first in salesMay also2002, provide is now beingan indication published of revised the relationship an improved. between It contains changes diverse in total information consumption giving and an alcoholidea of alcoholabuse, andwhich drug entails use in various Iceland harmfulas well aseffects. the harmfulness The Statistical caused Bureau by such of use Iceland from recordsvarious theperspectives. annual sales Collection of alcohol. of the information on which the report is based fulfils one of the Figurestatutorily 1.1 definedand Table tasks 1.1 of show the Alcoholthe sales and trend Drug of taxableAbuse Preventionalcohol in IcelandCouncil, over which the is last to 30collect years. data These on drugs; figures thus reflect the councilneither thealways alcohol has theimported most recentthrough and the tenable duty-free information store at theon Keflavikthe status Airportof these nor matters. homemade or smuggled alcohol. The reference age is 15 and over since this First,standard the hasreport become contains customary information in comparisons from Statistics between Iceland countries. on alcohol Alcohol sales atsales the Stategrew steadilyAlcohol untiland Tobacco1989 when Monopoly. they took Figures a temporary from Statisticsjump following Iceland legalisationon the turnover of the of sale taxed of beeralcohol in Iceland.are usually Sales used then as decreaseda criterion again of total in thealcohol wake consumption of decreasing in purchasing the country. power, Inquiries but sincewere 1993made theyin municipalities, have increased which substantially, by law reachingissue liquor a peak licences, in 2001 for of information 6,32 litres ofon pure the spiritsnumber per of capitaliquor licencesof those inaged Iceland. 15 and over. There are several possible explanations for this increase,Second, including the report increased contains access information to alcohol, on improvedalcohol and economic drug offences circumstances, obtained influencefrom the fromNational abroad, Commissioner changed lifestyle, of the Icelandic an increase Police, in the which, number along of withtourists, information hard-sell aboutmarketing, other advertisingoffence categories, and other is discussion. found in the organisation's annual financial reports. The Reykjavik Police Chief also publishes an annual report with statistical information on the status of Figure 1.1. Alcohol sales 1970-2002 measured in litres of pure matters within the precinct.spirits per person, aged 15 and older. Third, there is information on sentences for alcohol and drug offences, obtained from the 7.00 State Prison Administration, which maintains information on sentences for violations of the 6.00 s it penalir code. p 5.00 s reFourth,4.00 the report contains information on the activities of rehabilitation facilities in u p additionf 3.00 to statistical information about the groups availing themselves of their services. o s re itThere2.00 is also information in the report related to alcohol use from the Iceland Traffic L Council1.00 and the Iceland Road Accident Analysis Group. The0.00 number of reported rapes where the use of alcohol and drugs is believed to be 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 involved is also worth mentioning; sexual offences are often related to the use of alcohol or Source:other intoxicants. Statistical Bureau of Iceland Notes: The sale of beer stronger than 2.5% began on 1 March 1989. As of 1 December 1995, the State Alcohol and Tobacco Monopoly’s (ÁTVR) exclusive right to import alcohol and sell it to resellersIt proved was difficultabolished, toand obtain importers, sufficient producers information and wholesalers on having accidents a special related permit towere the authorised use of to sell it to resellers. Since 1995, figures therefore include the sales of ÁTVR and other permit holders. Not includedalcohol isand/or the alcohol drugs, that but tourists data orfrom the crewsthe Pathological of ships and aeroplanesResearch bringLaboratory with them are into relied the country. on.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 1 Introduction Statistics

The statistical data on which the report is based make it possible to evaluate the harmfulness to society of the use of alcohol and other intoxicants. The collection and the extent of this kind of information depend entirely on how well the relevant organisations and companies maintain information on their activities. Although it is possible to find sources in many places, the information is limited. The report therefore gives only an idea of the impact and harmfulness caused by alcohol and drugs, while the total extent is still hidden. The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council also organises, with others, various studies on the lifestyle and consumption of various age and social groups. The report also contains an excerpt from these studies. Such studies provide another kind of information about the dissemination and consequences of alcohol and drug abuse. They elucidate the ideas of the respondents and give an idea of their views on lifestyle, consumption, preventive measures, standard of living and other aspects of daily life. In recent years there has also been increasing emphasis on preventive projects that are evaluated with respect to their results for the purpose of improving preventive efforts made in Iceland. Under the auspices of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council there are continuing efforts to collect information that could be of use in counteracting the threat stemming from the growing use of drugs in Iceland. At The European Monitoring Center on Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) in Lisbon, and at the European office of the World Health Organization in Copenhagen, there is increasing emphasis on coordinated recording and collection of data in the field of alcohol and drug abuse prevention efforts. The purpose is to make statistical information more comparable between countries. The guideline is that such information could help to make efforts to bolster health and prevention beneficial in the future.

Thorgerdur Ragnarsdóttir Director of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council

Thórunn Steindórsdóttir Sociologist

2 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Alcohol Sales Statistical information

ALCOHOL SALES

Alcohol sales and their fluctuations are commonly used as a gauge of the total consumption of alcohol. Among those doing so is the World Health Organization (WHO). Alcohol sales also provide an indication of the relationship between changes in total consumption and alcohol abuse, which entails various harmful effects. The Statistical Bureau of Iceland records the annual sales of alcohol. Figure 1.1 and Table 1.1 show the sales trend of taxable alcohol in Iceland over the last 30 years. These figures reflect neither the alcohol imported through the duty-free store at the Keflavik Airport nor homemade or smuggled alcohol. The reference age is 15 and over since this standard has become customary in comparisons between countries. Alcohol sales grew steadily until 1989 when they took a temporary jump following legalisation of the sale of beer in Iceland. Sales then decreased again in the wake of decreasing purchasing power, but since 1993 they have increased substantially, reaching a peak in 2001 of 6,32 litres of pure spirits per capita of those aged 15 and over. There are several possible explanations for this increase, including increased access to alcohol, improved economic circumstances, influence from abroad, changed lifestyle, an increase in the number of tourists, hard-sell marketing, advertising and other discussion.

Figure 1.1. Alcohol sales 1970-2002 measured in litres of pure spirits per person, aged 15 and older.

7.00

6.00 s it ir p 5.00 s re 4.00 u p f 3.00 o s re it 2.00 L 1.00

0.00 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002

Source: Statistical Bureau of Iceland Notes: The sale of beer stronger than 2.5% began on 1 March 1989. As of 1 December 1995, the State Alcohol and Tobacco Monopoly’s (ÁTVR) exclusive right to import alcohol and sell it to resellers was abolished, and importers, producers and wholesalers having a special permit were authorised to sell it to resellers. Since 1995, figures therefore include the sales of ÁTVR and other permit holders. Not included is the alcohol that tourists or the crews of ships and aeroplanes bring with them into the country.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 3 Alcohol Sales Statistical information

As seen in Figure 1.2, alcohol sales seem to be correlated with the purchasing power of wages, as applies to other kinds of consumption.

Figure 1.2. Alcohol sales per person, aged 15 and older, measured in litres of pure spirits, vs. purchasing power of wages. 7 140

6 Litres 120 s e g s a it 5 100 ir w p f s o r re 4 80 e u w p o f p o 3 60 g s in re s it a L 2 40 h rc u P 1 20

0 0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Source: Statistical Bureau of Iceland

Figure 1.3 (and Table 1.2) shows Table 1.1 Alcohol sales 1970-2000, measured in litres of pure spirits per person, aged 15 and over. how sales have changed from

Year Litres Year Litres Year Litres 1990 to 2002 by category of 1970 3,82 1981 4,36 1992 4,73 alcohol. Beer sales declined 1971 4,08 1982 4,25 1993 4,45 1972 4,15 1983 4,39 1994 4,61 from 1990 to 1993 but have 1973 4,13 1984 4,51 1995 4,76 1974 4,30 1985 4,41 1996 4,89 been growing since then. The 1975 4,04 1986 4,58 1997 5,09 sales of wine were constant but 1976 4,06 1987 4,73 1998 5,56 1977 4,32 1988 4,53 1999 5,91 have been increasing since 1996. 1978 4,11 1989 5,52 2000 6,14 1979 4,46 1990 5,24 2001 6,32 At the same time strong spirits 1980 4,33 1991 5,14 2002 6,53 sales have decreased, but in Source: Statistical Bureau of Iceland. 2002 the sale of spirits in the form of wine exceeded those from strong spirits for the first time.

4 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Alcohol Sales Statistical information

Figure 1.3. The annual sales of alcohol per person, aged 15 and older,

7,00 measured in litres of pure spirits.

s 6,00 Total consumption Strong spirits it ir p5,00 s re u4,00 p f o3,00 s e r 2,00 it L 1,00

0,00 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Source: Statistical Bureau of Iceland

Table 1.2 Alcohol sales 1990-2000 per person, aged 15 Figure 1.4 shows the and over, measured in litres of pure spirits. percentage of total alcohol sales for hard liquor, wine Total Strong alcohol Wine Beer 1990 5,24 2,75 0,76 1,73 and beer. Proportionally 1991 5,14 2,76 0,80 1,58 1992 4,73 2,49 0,79 1,45 the sales of wine during 1993 4,45 2,20 0,76 1,49 1994 4,61 2,02 0,78 1,81 this 12-year period 1995 4,76 1,93 0,71 2,02 1996 4,89 1,79 0,91 2,20 increased more than beer 1997 5,09 1,72 0,97 2,41 1998 5,56 1,74 1,18 2,64 sales, or by 120% versus 1999 5,91 1,76 1,25 2,89 2000 6,14 1,73 1,38 3,03 90%. This supports 2001 6,32 1,68 1,52 3,12 2002 6,53 1,58 1,67 3,29 notions that lifestyle is Source: Statistical Bureau of Iceland changing since more beer and wine are being drunk, but less strong spirits. Although the consumption of hard liquor is decreasing, this decrease is less than the increase in the sales of wine and beer. Total consumption is therefore increasing, according to these figures.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 5 Alcohol Sales Statistical information

Figure 1.4. Annual alcohol 1990-2002 sales per person, aged 15 and older, measured in pure spirits. Proportional distribution by type.

Strong spirits Wine Beer 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Source: Statistical Bureau of Iceland

6 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Alcohol Sales Statistical information

Table 1.3 (and figure 1.5) summary of alcohol sales in the Nordic countries. No figures on alcohol sales in Finland were available for the period 2000-2001. These figures do not include alcohol that was smuggled, homebrewed or brought in through the duty-free stores. Since sales and distribution are done differently in these countries, it is difficult to make a comparison between the countries solely based on these figures.

Table 1.3. Alcohol sales in the Nordic countries 1990-2001 per person spirits

Denmark Finland Faroe Islands Greenland Iceland Norway Sweden 1990 11.6 9.5 6.7 15.5 5.2 4.9 6.4 1991 11.5 9.2 6.7 15.0 5.1 4.8 6.3 1992 11.9 8.9 8.8 14.0 4.7 4.6 6.3 1993 11.0 8.4 6.3 12.8 4.5 4.5 6.2 1994 11.7 8.2 6.4 13.2 4.6 4.6 6.3 1995 12.0 8.3 6.3 12.6 4.8 4.8 6.2 1996 12.2 8.2 6.7 12.6 4.9 5.0 6.0 1997 12.1 8.6 6.6 12.8 5.1 5.3 5.9 1998 11.6 8.7 6.6 13.3 5.6 5.8 1999 11.5 8.7 6.6 13.2 5.9 5.5 6.1 2000 11.6 6.8 13.4 6.1 5.6 6.2 2001 11.4 6.9 12.5 6.3 5.5 6.5 Source: Rusmidler in Norway and Statistics Iceland.

Figure 1.5. Alcohol sales in the Nordic countries 1990-2001 per person, aged 15 and older, measured in litres of pure 18.0 spirits. 16.0

14.0 s it ir p 12.0 s re 10.0 u p f 8.0 o s re 6.0 it L 4.0

2.0

0.0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Denmark Finland Faroe Islands Greenland Iceland Norway Sweden

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 7 Alcohol Sales Statistical information

According to a survey of consumption done in 1995 by the Statistical Bureau of Iceland, homes, on average, devote more money to alcohol than to coffee, tea, cocoa, soft drinks, juice and water combined. A regional difference surfaced in the survey, showing that those living in the capital city area spend more money, on average, on the purchase of alcohol than those living elsewhere in the country, whether in rural or urban areas (Figure 1.4 and table 1.4). Capital city residents also buy more soft drinks, juice and water than people living elsewhere. A possible explanation of this difference is greater access to alcohol and more disposable income in Reykjavik than elsewhere in Iceland.

Figure 1.6. Average expenditure of homes for certain beverages during the year, by residence, according to a consumer survey conducted by Statistics Iceland 60000 C apital city area Other urban areas Rural areas Average 50000

40000 K IS 30000

20000

10000

0 Alcohol Coffee, tea and cocoa Soft drinks, juice and water

Source: Statistical Bureau of Iceland

Table 1.4.Average expenditure of homes for certain beverages during the year, by residence, according to a consumer survey conducted by Statistics Iceland in 1995 (average price level 1995)

Capital city area Other urban areas Rural areas Average Spirits 47.835 29.363 27.773 40.516 C offee, tea and cocoa 11.053 12.515 16.219 12.017 Soft drinks, juice and water 40.215 37.073 31.805 38.467 Source: Statistics Iceland

8 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Alcohol Sales Statistical information

An amendment to the Alcohol Act in 1998 transferred the issue of licences from the district commissioners to the municipalities. After the change, it is difficult to obtain information about the number of liquor licences since no one compiles these figures centrally. The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council therefore undertook investigation of the number of liquor licences in the country by collecting information in each municipality. From 1990 to 2001, the number of establishments serving alcohol increased rapidly in Iceland. In Reykjavik, the number of establishments serving alcohol has increased by 113%, or from 92 to 196, during the period. Thus, the total number of liquor licenses in Iceland has increased by nearly 311%, from 134 to 551 (Figure 1.7 and Table 1.5).

Figure 1.7. Number of liquor licenses 1990-2002.

600

500 Iceland Reykjavik 400 r e b m 300 u N 200

100

0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Source: Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs, municipalities in Iceland.

The figures for 1998, 1999 and 2000 Table 1.5 Number of liquor licences are estimated. The plan provides for an 1990-2002. average increase in numbers of 3.8% Throughout Year Iceland Reykjavík per year. Despite repeated attempts, 1990 134 92 information for 2001 and 2002 was not 1991 152 103 1992 179 115 obtained from several municipalities. 1993 235 132 1994 252 144 1995 297 156 1996 341 163 1997 444 164 *1998 461 155 *1999 478 170 *2000 495 182 2001 512 177 2002 551 196 Source : The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council and The Municipalities in Iceland. Status as of the end of the year. *Estimate

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 9 Alcohol Sales Statistical information

Table 1.6 Number of The number of retail outlets for the State Alcohol and alcohol retail outlets in Tobacco Monopoly of Iceland (ÁTVR) has increased Iceland Februar 2003. substantially in recent years, and in February 2003 there Place Number were 41 (Table 1.6). Reykjavík 6 Table 1.7 shows the number of alcohol sales Seltjarnarnes 1 Kópavogur 2 establishments in several of the Nordic countries. Garðabær 1 According to this source, there were 19 stores per 100,000 Hafnarfjörður 1 Keflavík 1 persons, aged 18 and older, in Iceland in 2002. By Grindavík 1 comparison, these figures for Sweden showed that there Selfoss 1 were five stores per 100,000, aged 18 and older in 2001. In Hvolsvöllur 1 Vestmannaeyjar 1 Iceland, a comparison on the basis of the legal age for Höfn 1 alcohol purchase, i.e., 20 and over, could be deemed more Fáskrúðsfjörður 1 Neskaupsstaður 1 reasonable, and this is the age used for the comparison Egilsstaðir 1 between Iceland and Sweden. The Alcohol Act of 1998 Seyðisfjörður 1 Vopnafjörður 1 shifted the issue of liquor licences from the Ministry of Þórshöfn 1 Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs to the municipalities. Djúpivogur 1 ÁTVR’s goal has been for people throughout Iceland to Húsavík 1 Akureyri 1 have similar access to alcohol. Dalvík 1 Sigufjörður 1 Table 1.7 Number of alcohol retail outlets in Sauðárkrókur 1 some of the Nordic Countries 1993-2001. Blönduós 1 Hvammstangi 1 Finland Norway Sweden Iceland Ísafjörður 1 1993 248 110 368 22 Patreksfjörður 1 1994 248 110 375 24 Búðardalur 1 1995 251 112 384 24 Ólafsvík 1 1996 255 112 396 25 Borgarnes 1 1997 255 114 396 26 Akranes 1 1998 259 120 397 26 Mosfellsbær 1 1999 268 130 403 32 Stykkishólmur 1 2000 275 140 411 34 Grundarfjörður 1 2001 284 156 416 39 Grindavík 1 Source: Rusmidler in Norway ´02 Total 41 Source: atvr.is

10 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Alcohol Sales Statistical information

Table 1.8 shows how the number of Table 1.8 Number of ÁTVR stores and ÁTVR stores has increased over the liquor licences, 1990-2002. last decade. In 2001 there were ÁTVR-verslanir Vínveitingaleyfi over twice as many as in 1990. 1990 19 134 Also, the number of places having 1993 22 235 1997 26 444 liquor licences has increased 2001 38 512 substantially. This means increased 2002 41 549 Source: ÁTVR and the municipalities in Iceland. access to alcohol, which is deemed to increase its consumption generally. (Edwards, Griffith. Alcohol Policy and the Public Good, pp. 125-145).

Figure 1.8 contains a summary of the total number of places licensed to sell alcohol in the Nordic countries. These figures show the places serving alcohol are proportionally greatest in Denmark. The number of liquor licences had increased in all the countries, but the number of them peaked in Denmark and Finland in 1995 and in Sweden in 1996. Proportionally, the number of liquor licences has increased most in Iceland. It cannot therefore be said that changed access completely explains the fluctuations in alcohol sales (cf. Figure 1.2).

Figure 1.8. Total number of establishments serving alcohol per 100,000, aged 15 and older, in the Nordic countries 1990-1998. 300

250

200 r e b m u 150 N

100

50 Denmark Finland Norway Sweden Iceland 0 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 11 Treatment organisations Statistical information

TREATMENT ORGANISATIONS

Comprehensive efforts were made to collect information on treatment organisations, but unfortunately it proved difficult to get complete information from some organisations. Also, the information found here varies in how detailed it is, and comparisons are therefore often difficult. For some places, for example, information is only obtainable about the total number of admissions, and there is a risk that each individual is counted more than once because it is not uncommon for people to be admitted more than once a year. Caution is required in arriving at the total number admitted to treatment organisations since registration is not co- ordinated. Individuals can move between several treatment organisations during each year and be counted in many places. Information on those addmitted for treatment is therefore not a very reliable measure of the scope of alcohol and drug abuse. In addition, the information is not completely comparable since its structure and the organisation and the education of employees vary, and such factors certainly influence their activities. A more detailed comparison of treatment organisations is a worthwhile research project, but no opportunity for such a detailed analysis is given in this report. In two organisations in Iceland, where there is a doctor on site around the clock, detoxification is offered as a part of treatment for the misuse of alcohol and/or other intoxicants for patients aged 16 and over. This is the case, on the one hand, at the National University Hospital on Hringbraut, where there is a special intoxicant ward, and, on the other, at the Vogur Hospital. Hladgerdarkot offers detoxification is a part of treatment, but there is no doctor there around the clock. Many more organisations offered treatment, either long-term or continuing treatment. Treatment organisations receiving children and youths up to 18 years of age are operated, for the most part, by or in collaboration with the Government Agency for Child Protection. The Government Agency for Child Protection was founded in 1995, and its establishment changed various things in the affairs of children and youths. Among other things, the treatment options for children and youths having problems with alcohol and drugs increased. In addition to formal treatment organisations, halfway houses are operated that are intended as support homes for those seeking treatment for alcohol and/or drug abuse at the above-mentioned organisations. Information on these homes can be obtained from the directors of the relevant homes.

12 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Treatment organisations Statistical information

Table 2.1 is a summary of a number of facilities available to alcohol and drug patients, aged 16 and over.

Table 2.1. Number of rehabilitation facilities and beds for alcohol and drug patients in August 2001.

Name Description of Number of Age of of facility service beds patients National University Hospital Alc Detoxification/treatment 8 ? 16 National University Hospital-TeiOutpatient Ward/day clinic/treatmen 45 ? 16 National University Hospital-Gunnarsholti 31

SÁÁ-Vogi Detoxification/outpatient department 74 ? 16 SÁÁ-Vík Continuing treatment 34 ? 16 SÁÁ-Stadarfelli Continuing treatment 30 ? 16

Krýsuvík treatment and Long-term care for chronic 30 20-35 rehabilitation centre alcohol and drug patients

Hladgerdarkot Detoxification/treatment 25 ?18

Götusmidjan-Árvellum Treatment and post-treatment 12(18) 16-20

Byrgid-Rockville Halfway house and rehabilitation cen 45 ?18 Byrgid-Rockville Detoxification 9 ?18

TOTAL 331

Source: Directors of relevant organisations

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 13 Treatment organisations Statistical information

Table 2.2 provides a summary of halfway houses operated in Iceland in 2003, which, among other things, are support residences for people coming out of treatment.

Table 2.2. Halfway houses 2002.

Name Description of Number of Age of of facility service beds patients Takmarkid Support centre for men, are operated by 18 the organisation of the same name

Risid Support centre for men, are operated by 21 ≥17 the organisation of the same name

Dyngjan Support centre for women, are operated b 15 ≥17 the organisation of the same name

Krossgötur Support centre for men and women 22-33 ≥16 operated by the organisation of the same name

Skjöldur Support centre for men and women 22 ≥16 operated by the organisation of the same name

Heimili Verndar Support centre for former prisoners who 22 ≥17 have completed treatment for alcohol and drug abuse

SÁÁ-Miklubraut Post-treatment support centre for men 24 ≥16 SÁÁ-Eskihlíd Post-treatment support centre for women 12 ≥17 SÁÁ-Fjólan Post-treatment support centre for men 16 ≥18

Gistiskýlid- Emergency shelter for homeless 15 ≥18 Thingholtsstræti alcoholics, operated by Reykjavik Social Services and the City of Reykjavik

Samhjálp-HverfisgatSupport centre for men and women 14 ≥18

TOTAL 179 Source: Directors of the relevant organisations

14 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Treatment organisations Statistical information

Table 2.3. Further information on halfway houses 2002.

Number of Return New Utilisation overnights rate arrivals Women Men of beds Takmarkid 5.913 23% 67% 0 56 90% Risid 7.665 0 21 100% Dyngjan 2.890 35% 75% 34 0 70% Krossgötur 8.279 20% 80% 37 76 92% Skjöldur* 236 11% 89% 1 8 40% Heimili Verndar** 6.059 10% 90% 5 58 75% SÁÁ-Miklubraut 8.322 SÁÁ-Eskihlíd 1.861 Samhjálp-Hverfisgata 5.047 33% 67% 6 31 99% *Skjöldur Halfway House opened its doors on 1 December 2002. ** Average number of overnights during year. Source: applications to the Prevention Fund of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council 2003.

Further information about halfway houses can be found in Table 2.3. "Return" means that an individual has come more than once during the year. Bed utilisation is calculated by multiplying the number of beds times the number of days in a year, dividing the result by the number of overnight stays and multiplying that number by 100 to obtain the percentage (the number of overnight stays per year divided by 365 * the number of beds * 100).

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 15 Treatment organisations Statistical information

Table 2.4 is a summary of the organisations operated under the auspices of the Government Agency for Child Protection. However, not all residences are solely for children and youths with alcohol and/or drug problems. Children and youths with other kinds of problems, e.g., behavioural problems and psychological difficulties, are also admitted there.

Table 2.4. Treatment organisations under the auspices of The Government Agency f

Organisation Type of service Age No. of beds Studlar-Treatment Centre Diagnosis, 12-18 years8 medferdarstöd ríkisins emergency admission and follow-up treatement for youths

Studlar-Closed Ward Diagnosis, 12-18 years4 medferdarstöd ríkisins emergency admission and follow-up treatement for youths

Hvítárbakki Long-term treatment 13-18 years 6 treatment centre for youths

Laugaland Long-term treatment 13-18 years 8 treatment centre for youths

Torfastadir Long-term treatment 13-18 years 6 treatment centre for children and youths

Árbót/Berg Long-term treatment 12-18 years 10 treatment centre for children and youths

Háholt Long-term treatment 15-18 years 6 treatment centre for youths

Geldingalækur Long-term treatment 11-16 years 6 treatment centre for children and youths

Jökuldalir Long-term treatment 12-18 years 6 treatment centre for children and youths

Árvellir Long-term treatment 15-18 years 13 treatment centre for youths TOTAL 65 Source: The Government Agency for Child Protection 2003.

16 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Treatment organisations Statistical information

Table 2.4 contains a summary of rehabilitation facilities under the auspices of the Government Agency for Child Protection, the number of spaces available at each home and the number of children staying there. The number of spaces more than doubled between 1996 and 2001, or by 110%. However, they again decreased by four in 2002.

Table 2.5. Number of beds at treatment centres of The Government Agency for Child Protection 1996-2001.

Treatment centre No. of beds 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Árbót/Berg 5 6 6 10 10 10 12 Bakkaflöt 5 6 6 Geldingarlækur6666666 Laugamýri 2 Sólheimar 5 Torfastadir 6666666 Varpholt/Laugaland 668888 Hvítárbakki 668666 Háholt 8666 Árvellir 2 10 13 13 Jökuldalur 66 Total 29363648586157 Source: Homepage of the Government Agency for C hild Protection 2003.

The number of children accommodated at treatment centres under the auspices of The Government Agency for Child Protection increased considerably between 1996 and 2000, from 41 to 142 (see Table 2.6). On the other hand, the number of overnight stays decreased again after 2000.

Table 2.6. Number of children accommodated at treatment centres of The Government Agency for Child Protection 1996-2001.

Treatment centre Number of children accommodated 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Árbót/Berg 8 9 8 16181420 Bakkaflöt 9 11 13 Geldingarlækur6978998 Laugamýri 2 2 Sólheimar 8 4 Torfastadir 8 11 9 10 8 9 11 Varpholt/Laugaland 6 11 13 15 13 12 Hvítárbakki 6 10 9 9 10 Háholt 17 17 12 16 Árvellir 12535755 Jökuldalur 13 13 Total 41 52 54 86 142 136 132 Source: Homepage of The Government Agency for C hild Protection 2003.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 17 Treatment organisations Statistical information

The breakdown of the total number of beds and the beds earmarked for children and youths with alcohol and drug-related problems is shown in Table 2.7. In 2002, such beds were over half of all the treatment beds of The Government Agency for Child Protection. Also, their number increases faster than general accommodations, or by 875% between the years 1997 and 2002, while the total number of accommodations increased by only 55%. Does this perhaps indicate that alcohol and drug abuse is on the rise among children and youths? Or, is this the system's response to a problem it has not previously addressed?

Table 2.7. Total number of treatment beds of The Government Agency for Child Protection and the number of alcohol and drug abuse beds.

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Beds of The Government Agency for Chil 41 47 48 56 73 73 73

Alcohol and drug abuse beds 4 13 17 35 35 39 Source: The Government Agency for Child Protection.

Table 2.8 shows how many spaces in Table 2.8 Rehabilitation centres that are intended specifically fore youthes who rehabilitation facilities in 2002 were have alcohol and drug abuse problems. specifically intended for children and youths

Rehabilitatio Number of beds with problems due to the use of alcohol and Centre in 2002 other intoxicants. The Háholt and Jökuldalur 6 Laugaland 8 Hvítárbakki Rehabilitation facilities are not Árvellir 13 specifically intended for children and youths Háholt 6 with problems involving intoxicants Hvítárbakki 6 Total 39 although about 90-95% of them staying Source: The Government Agency for Child there have such problems, in addition to Protection. other kinds of problems.

18 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Treatment organisations Statistical information

Tables 2.9, 2.10 and 2.11 contain information about the operation of the State Rehabilitation Facility at Studlar. The operations at Studlar fall under three headings: the treatment ward, where specialised diagnosis and treatment go on, post-treatment following one’s stay in the treatment ward and a closed ward with emergency accommodations.

The number of bed days at the Studlar Treatment Centre increased somewhat between 1997 and 1998 from 2,540 to 2,850. They decreased again in 2001 to 2,750 (see Figure 2.1).

Figure 2.1 Number of residence days at the treatment ward at Studlar. 2.900

2.800 2.850 2.821 2.836 r 2.700 e b 2.746 m 2.600 u N 2.500 2.540 2.400

2.300 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Source: Homepage of The Government Agency for Child Protection 2003.

The average age of Studlar residents is about 15, having increased slightly since 1997 after the age of self-determination increased from 16 to 18. According to this, there are generally 38 children staying at the Studlar Treatment Centre per year. Most of those seeking admission to the Studlar Treatment Centre have had trouble with alcohol and drug abuse.

Table 2.9 Treatment ward at Studlar.

Number of Average number of Total number of Average age resicence days children per mo. children per yr. of children 1997 2.540 7,0 30 14,8 1998 2.850 7,8 44 15,3 1999 2.821 7,7 31 15,4 2000 2.836 7,7 43 15,2 2001 2.746 7,5 40 15,2 Source: C hild Welfare in Iceland 1996-2000; The Government Agency for C hild Protection 2003.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 19 Treatment organisations Statistical information

The number of bed days at Table 2.10 Closed ward at Studlar. the Studlar Closed Ward

Number of Average number of Total number of have increased somewhat in resicence days children per mo. children per yr. the last few years (see Table 1998 549 1,5 65 1999 709 1,9 68 2.10). Between 1998 and 2000 848 2,3 101 2001 there is nearly an 80% 2001 988 2,7 113 increase. On average nearly Source: Child Welfare in Iceland 1996-2000. 87 children have been admitted to the Studlar Closed Ward per year over the last four years.

Table 2.11 shows the proportion Table 2.11 Proportion of childre who of those seeking treatment at have alcohol and drug abuse problems Studlar for abuse of alcohol and vs. the total number of children at Studlar. drugs. Focusing on the average Girls (%) Boys (%) for these three years, we see that 1997 80 80 70% of girls and 64% of boys 1998 93 60 1999 75 79 who have sought assistance there 2000 33 44 have problems with alcohol and 2001 71 57 Source: C hild Welfare in Iceland 1996-2000; www.bvs.is drug abuse.

20 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Treatment organisations Statistical information

The Laymen's Society on Alcoholism in Iceland operates the Vogur Hospital. There, treatment is provided to people who have lost control of their use of alcohol and/or drugs. Detoxification goes on there along with counselling and psychological treatment. At the conclusion of their stay, patients have the option of continuing treatment, e.g., at the rehabilitation facilities at Stadarfell and Vík.

Table 2.12 provides a summary of the number of those seeking treatment at Vogur from 1991 to 2001. The total number of patients Table 2.12 Number of individuals per year remains fairly constant, or at Vogur 1991-2002. between 1570 and 1843. On average,

Number of individuals Number of first 1660 people seek treatment there for being treated time admission alcohol and/or drug abuse. The number 1991 1570 549 1992 1678 625 of new recruits, who have never before 1993 1639 606 received treatment at Vogur, is in the 1994 1616 553 range of 550 to 680, which is about 1995 1608 570 1996 1651 676 38% of the total number of patients per 1997 1669 678 year. 1998 1612 608 1999 1615 636 2000 1843 639 2001 1791 686 Source: Annual publicatoin of SÁÁ 1999-2000, 2000-2001 and 2001-2002.

The age distribution at Vogur Table 2.13 Age distribution at the Vogur Hosptial. has been changing. This can be seen in Table 2.13 (and in 1978-1979 1989 1999 2000 2001 <20 ára 48 80 257 288 294 Figure 2.2). In 1978-1979 the 20-29 ára 387 471 442 507 457 biggest age group was 30-39, 30-39 ára 591 457 352 385 403 and the average age was 39. In 40-49 ára 495 365 317 365 348 50-59 ára 290 155 186 211 198 1989 the average age 60-69 ára 83 45 44 66 64 decreased to 36, but in 2001 it >69 ára 11 11 17 21 27 Source: Annual publicatoin of SÁÁ 1999-2000, had gone down to nearly 35. 2000-2001 and 2001-2002.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 21 Treatment organisations Statistical information

Figure 2.2 Age distribution at Vogur 1978 to 2002.

100% 90% 80% >69 70% 60-69 60% 50-59 50% 40-49 40% 30-39 30% 20-29 20% <20 10% 0% 1978-1979 1989 1999 2000 2001

The number of youths under 20 coming for treatment at Vogur has increased. In 1991 those aged 20 and under accounted for 7%, but 10 years later this figure was 16%.

There has been a substantial

Table 2.14 Number of those aged 19 and increase in the numbers of those under at the Vogur Hospital and their under 20. This development has proportional division by gender. occurred steadily over the past <20 Girls (%) Boys (%) several years, as can be seen in 1993 126 34,1 65,9 Table 2.14 (and in figure 2.3). 1994 142 42,3 57,7 1995 137 37,2 62,8 There are several possible reasons 1996 180 38,3 62,7 for this. The number of those 1997 206 36,4 63,6 1998 227 31,3 68,7 having difficulties has probably 1999 257 35,0 65,0 increased; the increased number 2000 288 35,1 64,9 2001 294 38,1 61,9 of treatment options is important Average 206,3 36,4 63,7 here; the problem is diagnosed Source: Annual publicatoin of SÁÁ 1999-2000, earlier, and consciousness and 2000-2001 and 2001-2002. recognition of the problem has generally increased. It is noteworthy that the number of girls in this age group has increased in recent years.

22 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Treatment organisations Statistical information

Figure 2.3 Number of those under 20 in the Vogur Hospital 1993-2001.

350 288 294 300 257 227 250 180 206 . 200 o 126 N 142 137 150 100 50 0 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Men constituted, on average, about 75%

Table 2.15 Gender breakdown at of those receiving treatment at Vogur for the Vogur Hospital. the years 1979 to 1999. Table 2.15 (and in

Men Women Proportion figure 2.4) gives an overview of the 1979 1.510 395 79,3/20,7 breakdown between genders at the Vogur 1989 1.181 412 74,1/25,9 Hospital from 1979 until 2001. Up to 1999 1.139 476 70,5/29,5 2000 1.330 513 70,0/30,0 1999 the number of women increased 2001 1.266 525 70,7/29,3 somewhat, but their proportion has stayed Average 1.285 464 72,9/27,1 Source: Annual publicatoin of SÁÁ 1999-2000, at around 30%. 2000-2001 and 2001-2002.

Even though the majority of those Figure 2.4 Gender breakdown in Vogur 1979-2001. coming to Vogur have a problem with alcohol, the number of those 100% having mixed problems with 80% 60% alcohol and drugs (polydueux) has 40% increased. The number of heavy 20% users of cannabis and 0% 1979 1989 1999 2000 2001 amphetamines, for example, has Karlar Konur increased during this period. According to information from Vogur Chief Physician Thórarinn Tyrfingsson, heavy users of cannabis and/or amphetamine are those having used these substances weekly for half a year, if

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 23 Treatment organisations Statistical information

aged 19 and under, or for a whole year, if aged 20 or older. Those using these substances daily for six months are also classified as heavy users. Figure 2.5 shows a summary of the Figure 2.5 Number of major users of cannabis and amphetamine in number of major users of cannabis and Vogur 1997-2001. amphetamine at Vogur for the period 1997

600 to 2001. The number of heavy users of 500 r cannabis and amphetamine has increased e 400 b m 300 u by 23% during this period. In 2001 the N 200 100 number of heavy users of amphetamines 0 decreased somewhat, although the number 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Major users of cannabis of heavy users of cannabis continues to Major users of amphetamine rise (by 38% during the period). However, it must be stated that the largest part of this group are heavy users of both cannabis and amphetamine and are thus counted in both categories. Source: SÁÁ Annual Report

Figure 2.6 shows how high a percentage of heavy users of cannabis are also heavy users of amphetamines. As can be seen, the proportion has decreased somewhat since 1996 since the number of young heavy users of cannabis treated at Vogur has increased considerably.

Figure 2.6 Proportion of heavy users of cannabis at Vogur who are also heavy users of amphetamines 1996-2001.

76% 80% 66% 70% 61% 63% 57% 60% 46% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Source: SÁÁ Annual Report

24 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Treatment organisations Statistical information

Cannabis clearly seems to appeal Figure 2.7 Age distribution of major cannabis users at Vogur 2001 by gender. to young people, as can be seen in Figure 2.7. About 70% of heavy 180 160 users of cannabis are 24 or 140 Women Men r 120 younger, and 41% of them are e b 100 m under 20. There is a considerable u 80 N 60 gender difference because many 40 more men than women are heavy 20 0 users of cannabis. <20 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 >44

Years of age

Source: SÁÁ Annual Report

The age distribution of heavy users of amphetamines is slightly different, as can be seen in Figure 2.8. The figure also shows that the age distribution differs by gender.

Figure 2.8 Age distribution of major The age distribution for women amphetamine users at Vogur 2001. is similar to that for heavy users

80 of cannabis; thus, most of the 70 Women Men women who are heavy users of 60 r amphetamine are under 20, and e 50 b m 40 u their numbers dwindle progressi- N 30 20 vely with age. On the other hand, 10 the age group 20-24 is biggest for 0 <20 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 >39 men, and the second biggest Years of age group is aged 25-29. Source: SÁÁ Annual Report.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 25 Treatment organisations Statistical information

The number of heavy users of Figure 2.9 Major users of cocaine, cocaine and ecstasy at Vogur herione, LSD and ecstasy tablets in th Vogur Hospital 1998-2001. has also increased rapidly

between 1998 and 2000, cf. the 180 16 2 16 2 160 14 8 information in Figure 2.9. The 140 1998 1999 number of heavy users of r 120 10 2 e b 100 2000 2001 m 75 cocaine has nearly quadrupled u 80 N during these four years, and the 60 42 40 25 20 75 number of heavy users of 20 333 6 5 7 0 ecstasy has increased still more, Cocaine Heroine LSD Ecstasy or by nearly sevenfold. Between 1998 and 2000 there was no increase in heroin use among patients at Vogur. In 2001 the number of heavy users of heroin approximately doubled, and the number of heavy users of LSD increased from five to seven. Heavy users of the substances are those using them at least weekly for six months regardless of age (definition of Thórarinn Tyrfingsson, chief physician at Vogur). Here, one must keep in mind that this information was obtained from the users, and what users say they are using and what they in fact use can differ.

The number of those having used Figure 2.10 Number of those at Vogur cocaine, LSD and ecstasy several 1998-2002 who have used cocaine, herione, LSD and scstasy tablets. times also increased at Vogur

between 1998 and 2000. On the 450 1998 1999 2000 2001 400 other hand, in 2001 their numbers 350 r e 300 somewhat decreased. However, at b m 250 u the same time, the number of N 200 those having used heroin several 150 100 times increased a little. This trend 50 can be seen in Figure 2.10. 0 Cocaine Heroine LSD Ecstasy

Source: Annual SÁÁ Report

26 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Treatment organisations Statistical information

Figure 2.11 shows a breakdown of individuals’ problems at Vogur in 2001. About 52% of those admitted there were diagnosed as having problems only with alcohol (53% of women and 51% men). Altogether 24% of those admitted had problems with alcohol and other substances (26% of women and 24% of men). On the other hand, the primary problem of about 24% of the patients was diagnosed as drug abuse.

Figure 2.11. Breakdown of patterns of abuse at Vogur 2001.

700

600 651 Women Men 500 r e b400 m u300 N 200 279 300 315

100 134 112 0 Diagnosis of alcohol abuse Diagnosis of alcohol abuse Main diagnosis of other along with other things intoxicants

Source: Annual SÁÁ Report

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 27 Treatment organisations Statistical information

The use of habituating tranquillisers is Table 2.16 Number of those diagnosed as abusers of habituating tanquillisers in somewhat common in the Western world. 1998 by gender and age. In 1998 321 individuals were diagnosed as

Age Men Women Total % abusers of habituating tranquillisers. Table 15-19 ára 19 18 37 16,3 2.16 shows the distribution by age and 20-29 ára 55 35 90 20,4 gender of those diagnosed with such 30-39 ára 54 39 93 25,8 40-49 ára 34 36 70 22,2 problems. 50-59 ára 17 7 24 13,0 >59 ára 6 1 7 8,6 Source: SÁÁ annual report 2001.

The main diagnosis of about 5% of the women coming to Vogur in 1998 was abuse of habit- forming tranquillisers, while the corresponding figure for men was 2% (see Figure 2.12). About 50% of the women and 66% of the men seeking treatment at Vogur the same year did not use such drugs. On the other hand, according to this, it seems that such abuse is more common among women than men, and about 26% of the women seeking treatment that year abused such drugs as well as other intoxicants.

Figure 2.12 Use of habituating tranquillisers by patients at Vogur in 1998 - by gender 70% 60% Women Men 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Main diagnosis Not used Used in last six Abused with other tranquillisers months intoxicants

28 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Treatment organisations Statistical information

The rehabilitation facility at Árvellir, which is operated by Götusmidjan, was formally opened in January 2000. The facility receives youths, aged 15 to 20, for treatment of alcohol and drug abuse. However, children under 15 have been treated at Árvellir since the Government Agency for Child Protection has a service agreement with Götusmidjan for the use of 13 beds for children under legal age.

Figure 2.13 shows the Figure 2.13 Number of admissions to the number of admissions per rehabilitation ventre at Árvellir. month in 2000, 2001 and 14 13 2000 2001 2002 2002. The total number of 12 11 10 admissions during the 10 9 9 9 9 9 r 9 8 8 9 8 e 8 year was 78 on average b 8 7 m 7 7 u during the period. The N 6 7 7 5 6 5 55 4 5 4 444 4 4 average number of 3 4 4 2 2 2 admissions per month 0 increased during the Jan Feb Mar Apr Maí Jun Jul Aug Sep Okt Nov Des period from 5.4 to 8.4. Source: Götusmidjan, statistical summary.

Of those coming to Árvellir for treatment during Figure 2.14 Gender this three-year period, 68% were boys, and 32% breakdown at the were girls (see Figure 2.14). This ratio is similar rehabilitation centre at Árvöllum from Januar to the gender ratio at the Vogur Hospital, and the 2000 to Desember 2002. gender ratio is in fact similar at other treatment Girls centres. 32%

Boys 68%

Source: Götusmidjan, statistical summary.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 29 Treatment organisations Statistical information

Figure 2.15 Age breakdown at Árvellir by gender 2000-2002 (Average number).

25 20 20 Boys Girls r e 14 b 15 12 m u 10 8 8 7 N 6 3 4 3 3 5 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Year of age

Source: Götusmidjan, statistical summary.

It is commonest for youths seeking treatment at Árvellir to be aged 17 to 18. Figure 2.15 shows the age distribution for the previously mentioned period.

Of those receiving Figure 2.16 Division of youths at Árvellir according to whether they have reached treatment at Árvellir, 69% their majority or not (Average numbers). are under 18. Of these, 50 about 83% of the girls and 40 r e Boys b 30 62% of the boys are under m u 20 Boys Girls legal age. N 10 0 Girls Independent Not independent

Source: Götusmidjan, statistical summary.

Figure 2.17 Beginning age of use Figure 2.17 shows a summary of the age for those seeking treatment at at which use began. The beginning age is Árvellir 2000-2002. believed to affect use and the pattern of 40 the use later in life. Most of those in 35 30 treatment during the period being r e 25 b considered debuted at age 12. One can see m20 u N 15 from the figure that use begins, on 10 5 average, at around 12-13. 0 9 10111213141516

Years of age Source: Götusmidjan, statistical summary.

30 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Treatment organisations Statistical information

The rehabilitation facility Hladgerdarkot is operated by the social organisation Samhjálp. Hladgerdarkot engages in treatment for alcohol and drug abuse patients. Detoxification/medical treatment goes on there along with counselling. At the conclusion of treatment, patients have the option of support at the Samhjálp halfway house on Hverfisgata in Reykjavik and/or an outpatient ward. Table 2.17 is a summary of admissions to the rehabilitation facility in 2000 and the first six months of 2001.

Table 2.17 Hladgerdarkot 2000-2002: Number of admissions, average number of admissions per month and average period of stay.

No. of admissions Average admissions per mo. Average stay 2000 413 34 22 2001 349 29 27 2002 408 34 23 Source: Heidar Gudnason, Director of Samhjálp

In 2000, the number of admissions to the rehabilitation facility at Hladgerdarkot was 413, which means that 34 individuals were admitted, on average, each month. The number of admissions decreased somewhat in 2001 but increased again in 2002, so that the average number of admissions per month increased again to 34 from 29 the year before.

Of those coming for treatment at Hladgerdarkot in 2000, 68.5% were men and about one-third were women (see table 2.18). The percentage of women decreased in 2002 to less than 30%. Therefore, the gender ratio here is the same as at other treatment centres discussed in this section.

Table 2.18. Hladgerdarkot 2000 and 2001: Gender distribution

Average number of Average number of Men Women %Men %Women men per month women per month 2000 282 131 68,3 31,7 24 11 2001 231 118 66,2 33,8 19 10 2002 290 118 71,1 28,9 24 10 Source: Heidar Gudnason, Director of Samhjálp

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 31 Treatment organisations Statistical information

Table 2.19 Number of admissions for Byrgid, a Christian charitable organisation, treatment at Byrgid from 1 Oct. 1999 operates a treatment and rehabilitation facility to 1 June 2001. in Rockville in the area of the Iceland Admissions Number of individuals 665 316 Defence Force in Midnesheidi. Table 2.19 Source: Byrgid, Christian charity provides a summary of the number of admissions and patients in Rockville. During the period from 1 October 1999 to 1 June 2001, 316 individuals sought assistance at Byrgid, and there were 665 admissions. From these figures one can infer that each individual was admitted, on average, twice during the period.

Of the 316 individuals seeking help Table 2.20 Gender division of individuals in at Byrgid, 74 were women, and 242 Byrgid from 1 Oct. 1999 to 1 June 2001.

were men (see table 2.20). The Women % Men % 74 23,0 242 77,0 proportion of women in treatment is Source: Byrgid, Christian charity therefore somewhat lower than at other rehabilitation facilities.

Table 2.21 Age distribution in Of those going to Byrgid, 62% were born between Byrgid from 1 Oct. 1999 to 1 June 2001. 1950 and 1970. Nearly one quarter were born after 1970 and 15% before 1950 (see table 2.21). Fæddir Fjöldi % fyrir 1950 47 15,0 1950-1970 195 62,0 eftir 1970 74 23,0 Heimild: Byrgið, kristilegt líknarfélag.

32 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Treatment organisations Statistical information

The Krýsuvík Association operates a rehabilitation facility for drug users requiring Table 2.22 Number of individuals in treatment at hte rehabilitation continuing treatment after detoxification. centre Krýsuvík Association.

Detoxification does not go on there, and people 1998 1999 47 66 still using are not accepted. Table 2.22 shows the number of those being treated at the association Source: Axid 1st issue 6. yr. 1999 and Axid 1st issue 7. yr. 2000. in 1998 and 1999. In 1999 the number of individuals increased by more than 40%.

Many more women sought help at the association in 1999 than the year before (see Table 2.21). In 1998, women were only 6.3% of those going there, while in 1999 they were 16.7%. Nevertheless, the great majority of those looking to the Krýsuvík Association were men.

Table 2.23 Gender division of treatment at the Krýsyvík Assosiation.

Men % Women % 1998 44 93,6 3 6,3 1999 55 83,3 11 16,7 Source: Axid 1st issue 6. yr. 1999 and Axid 1st issue 7. yr. 2000.

The average age of those seeking treatment Table 2.24 Average age and average is similar both years: 35 in 1998 and 37 in time of stay in months at rehabilitation centre Krýsuvík Assosiation. 1999. The average length of stay was 3 Average age Average months in 1998 (although the individual time of stay staying longest was excluded since this 1998 35 3 1999 37 3,4 would have distorted the average Source: Axid 1st issue 6. yr. 1999 and Axid 1st issue 7. yr. 2000. unreasonably), and the average length of stay in 1999 was 3.4 months.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 33 Treatment organisations Statistical information

Alcohol and Drug Treatment Ward 33A is operated at the National University Hospital on Hringbraut. Detoxification and counselling are provided there. At Teigur there are also two treatment wards (16 and 16D) under the auspices of National University Hospital that offer counselling.

Table 2.25 (and Figure 2.18) provides a summary of admissions and visits to the National University Hospital’s alcohol and drug treatment wards. Based on these figures, the average number of admissions per year is about 723. The greatest number of visits occurred in 1996: 920. During this 15-year period, the number of admissions has fluctuated from year to year. During the first five years, the average number of admissions was 664. Over the next five years they were, 708 on average, compared to 798 in the last five years. Therefore, overall, the number of admissions has increased over this 15-year period.

Table 2.25 Number of visits for alcohol and drug abuse treatment in wards 33A, 16 and 16A at Landspitali.

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 620 677 781 636 604 665 609 706

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 641 920 841 819 785 791 752

Source: Information Technology Division of Landspitali-University Hospital on Hringbraut.

Figure 2.18. Average number of admissions for alcohol and drug abuse treatment in Wards 33A, 16 and 16D at the National University Hospital.

1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Source: Information Division of National University Hospital on Hringbraut.

34 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Treatment organisations Statistical information

Table 2.26 contains information about the age of those admitted for treatment to the wards of the National University Hospital. The number of admissions in each age category fluctuates somewhat between the years, and it is therefore difficult to evaluate the trend in age distribution from such a table. If this is grouped into three five-year periods, and the average number in each age group is calculated, it is easier to see the trend.

Table 2.26 Age distribution of those seeking treatment for alcohol and drug abuse in Wards 33A, 16 and 16D at National University Hospital.

20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71 or under or older 1987 35 128 117 151 111 54 24 1988 24 178 163 141 115 39 22 1989 36 136 206 173 135 72 23 1990 20 116 198 152 84 54 12 1991 11 82 172 131 116 69 23 1992 26 100 198 166 93 59 23 1993 26 128 154 145 99 51 6 1994 50 139 229 156 81 35 16 1995 53 147 170 136 90 31 14 1996 120 201 209 136 111 45 23 1997 97 164 242 159 105 57 17 1998 99 197 200 169 93 43 18 1999 83 223 170 162 99 37 11 2000 44 224 186 157 104 61 15 2001 78 227 172 137 85 34 19 Source: Information Technology Division of National University Hospital at Hringbraut.

Table 2.27 groups the average number of admissions in each age group in the above-specified periods. It can be seen there that the basic trend is that the number admissions has increased substantially in the three youngest age groups but decreased or remained about the same in the older age groups.

Table 2.27 Average number in each age group in treatment wards of the National University Hospital

20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71 or under or older 1987-1991 25.2 128.0 171.2 149.6 112.2 57.6 20.8 1992-1996 55.0 143.0 192.0 147.8 94.8 44.2 16.8 1997-2001 80.2 267.0 194.0 156.8 97.5 46.4 16.0 Source: Information Technology Division of National University Hospital at Hringbraut.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 35 Treatment organisations Statistical information

Figure 2.19 shows the trend of admissions in the three youngest age groups. There it can be seen that over the last three years, the number of admissions in the age group 21-30 has increased so much that this age group now weighs heaviest.

Figure 2.19 Number of those receiving treatment at the Alcohol and drug Wards of the National University Hospital in the ag groups <40 300 20 years and under 21-30 years 31-40 years 250

200 r e b m150 u N 100

50

0 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Source: Information Division of National University Hospital on Hringbraut.

Figure 2.20 contains information about the gender breakdown of admissions for alcohol and drug abuse treatment in the wards of the National University Hospital. It shows that the admissions of women have increased substantially over these 15 years, and the greatest number of admissions for women occurred in 1996: 421. It must be kept in mind that involved here are admissions and not the number of individuals, so that it is possible that the same woman is counted more than once each year.

Figure 2.20. Total number of those seeking treatment in Wards 33A, 16 and 16D at National University Hospital, by gender

700 Men Women 600

500 . o 400 N 300

200

100

0 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Source: Information Division of National University Hospital on Hringbraut.

36 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Treatment organisations Statistical information

It is noteworthy that the gender ratio here differs somewhat from that in other treatment organisations because it is commonest that 30% of those seeking treatment for alcohol and/or drug abuse problems are women (see figure 2.21). On the other hand, at the National University Hospital this ratio rose to 47% in 2001. No clear explanation for this is available. However, one can argue that individuals seek help there whose psychological problems are more diverse than addiction to alcohol or drugs. The women seeking help there have proved to be, among other things, more depressed and anxious than those seeking treatment at other treatment facilities. It is also conceivable that the outpatient arrangement like the one at Teigur suits women better, and they therefore seek treatment at the National University Hospital.

Figure 2.21. Percentage of men and women treated in Wards 33A, 16 and 16D of National University Hospital.

0,74 0,80 0,74 0,68 0,68 0,69 0,70 0,63 0,64 0,63 0,60 0,58 0,58 0,59 0,54 0,56 0,60 0,53

0,50

% 0,40 0,46 0,47 0,44 0,42 0,42 0,41 0,4 0,37 0,30 0,37 0,36 0,32 0,32 0,31 0,26 0,20 0,26

Men 0,10 Women

0,00 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Source: Information Division of National University Hospital on Hringbraut.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 37 Substance use related deaths Statistical information

SUBSTANCE USE RELATED DEATHS

Abuse of alcohol and other intoxicants has a harmful effect on the body. This effect is diverse and of varying seriousness. The substances are either stimulating or tranquillising and affect perception and the body's reflexes. When it comes to obtaining information about deaths related to using alcohol and/or other intoxicants, the resources from which to cull are unfortunately not very rich. Information about causes of death related to substance using has not been specifically maintained, and the recording is limited. Thus, a person dying in an automobile accident attributable to drunken driving can be recorded as an accidental death. This makes all comparison insignificant, and the trend is not clear. It can be deemed likely that more deaths may be attributed, in one way or another, to the use of alcohol or other intoxicants than surfaces in government reports where an analysis of the cause of death is difficult, and autopsies are not performed except in a few cases. Likewise, an autopsy can only confirm whether the person involved was under the influence when he or she died, but it is more difficult to determine whether the person had abused alcohol or other intoxicants previously so as to result in health failure or possibly death. Research on single-car accidents has shown that the consumption of alcohol or possible use of other intoxicants is one of the main causes of such accidents. The indirect effects of abuse involved here will unfortunately be very difficult to measure. However, it is possible to do better than is now done, and there is reason to work toward making it possible to evaluate more precisely the damage caused by the use of alcohol and other intoxicants. The data relied on in this chapter are extremely limited, indicating only the number of deaths confirmed by pathological investigation, i.e., an autopsy. This information is found in a research project that a medical student, Gudrún Thórisdóttir, did in 1996 under the supervision of Prof. Gunnlaugur Geirsson at the University of Iceland Medical School.

38 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Substance use related deaths Statistical information

Table 3.1 and Figure 3.1 show a Table 3.1 Breakdown of deaths due to use of categorisation of deaths in some alcohol and other intoxicants according to way attributable to the use of cause of death 1986-1995. alcohol and/or other intoxicants Men Women Total Diseases 70 24 94 during the period 1986-1995. Accidents 172 51 223 During this period, 223 individuals Suicide 122 31 153 Suspicion of suicide 5 2 7 died in this way. The next Manslaugther 8 3 11 Other 2 4 6 commonest cause of death from Total 379 115 494 substance use is suicide; 153 Source: Gudrún Thórisdóttir. Sudden deaths related to habituating and addictive substances 1986-1995. individuals took their own life under the influence of habituating intoxicants, including alcohol. Over this 10-year period, the deaths of 494 individuals may be traced, in one way or another, to the use of alcohol or other intoxicants. According to this information, therefore, 50 individuals per year, on average, died of this cause during the period.

Figure 3.1. Classification of deaths due to alcohol and drug abuse 1986-1995, by gender. 250 223

200 172 153 Men Women Total r 150 e b 122 m u N 94 100 70 51 50 31 24 8 11 5 2 7 3 2 4 6 0 Disease Accident Suicide Suspected Homicide Other suicide

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 39 Substance use related deaths Statistical information

Table 3.2 and Figure 3.2 provide a Table 3.2 Fatal poisoning sccidents due to use summary of the number of alcohol and other intoxicants 1986-1995.

accidental poisonings resulting in Men Women Total Alcohol 19 4 23 death over the period 1986-1995. Pharmaceuticals 14 18 32 Alcohol and drugs 13 11 24 Over these 10 years, 81 individuals Drugs 101 died from poisoning. The most Other 101 Total 483381 common form of poisoning was Source: Gudrún Thórisdóttir. Sudden deaths related to habituating and addictive substances 1986-1995. from drugs, including sleeping pills and tranquillisers. Evaluation of the part played by alcohol reveals that 47 individuals died from alcohol poisoning or the interaction of alcohol with other damaging substances, and this is more than half of those dying from poisoning during the period. It is noteworthy that despite the general belief that deaths caused by drugs are due to overdose, there was only one such instance involved during this period.

Figure 3.2. Fatal poisoning accidents due to alcohol and drug abuse 1986-1995, by gender. 35 32 30 24 25 23 Men Women Total 19 . 20 o 18 N 15 14 13 11 10

5 4 1111 00 0 Alcohol Pharmaceuticals Alcohol and Drugs Other drugs

40 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Substance use related deaths Statistical information

Above, poisoning has been discussed as a direct consequence of the excessive use of harmful substances. On the other hand, some fraction of accidental deaths may be traced to the use of alcohol and/or other intoxicants without excessive use having necessarily been involved.

Table 3.3 Fatal accidents due to use of Table 3.3 and Figure 3.3 show a alcohol and other intoxicants, other than poisoning 1986-1995. summary of the number of accidental deaths, other than by poisoning, that Me n Women Tota l Traffic accidents 32 5 37 may thus be traced to substance use. Fire 9 1 10 Falls 25 6 31 Traffic accidents are commonest in Drowning 22 1 23 Suffocation 19 4 23 this regard, with 37 people dying Hypothermia 14 1 15 Other 303during the period 1986-1995 in Total 124 18 142 Source: Gudrún Thórisdóttir. Sudden deaths related to traffic accidents attributable to the habituating and addictive substances 1986-1995. use of such substances. Right after traffic accidents are accidents involving plunges or falls. During the period, there were generally 14 accidental deaths per year related, in one way or another, to the use of alcohol and/or other intoxicants.

Figure 3.3 Fatal accidents due to use of alcohol and other intoxicants, other than poisoning 1986-1995 by gender 35 32

30 Men Women 25 25 22 r e20 19 b m u 14 N15

10 9 6 5 4 5 3 1 1 1 0 0 s s r t re l g n ia e ic n i a in io h f e F F n t m t d a r ra i w c e O T c ro fo th c f o a D u p S y H

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 41 Substance use related deaths Statistical information

Table 3.4 Age of those dying as a result of Table 3.4 (and Figure 3.4) provides use of alcohol or other drugs 1986-1995. a summary of the ages of those Men Women Total dying because of the use of alcohol ≤19 years 31 6 37 20-29 years 74 10 84 and other intoxicants in the period 30-39 years 50 11 61 40-49 years 61 22 83 1986-1995. Most of them were 50- 50-59 years 79 25 104 60-69 years 59 27 86 59 years old. Examining age 70-79 years 22 12 34 ≥80 years 3 1 4 distribution by gender reveals it is unknown age 0 1 1 Total 379 115 494 apparently commoner for young Source: Gudrún Thórisdóttir. Sudden deaths related to men than young women to die habituating and addictive substances 1986-1995. because of the use of alcohol and other intoxicants. Thus, 8.7% of the women dying were 20-29, while 19.5% of the men dying were in this age group. On the other hand, 23.5% of the women dying were 60-69, while 15.6% of the men dying were in this age group. However, one must keep in mind that many more men than women die from these causes.

Figure 3.4. The age of those dying from alcohol and drug abuse 1986-1995.

120

100 Men Women Total 80

. o 60 N

40

20

0 ≤19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 ≥80

42 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Substance use related deaths Statistical information

Table 3.5 Number of use-related suicides According to the information in 1986-1995, by gender. Table 3.5 (and Figure 3.5), the Men Women Total 1986 13 4 17 average number of use-related 1987 6713 1988 17 1 18 suicides is about 15 per year. Men 1989 12 3 15 are a large majority there. 1990 17 3 20 1991 14 3 17 1992 9211 1993 10 4 14 1994 11 2 13 1995 13 2 15 Total 122 31 153 Source: Gudrún Thórisdóttir. Sudden deaths related to habituating and addictive substances 1986-1995.

Figure 3.5. Number of abuse-related suicides 1986-1995.

25

Men Women Total 20 20 18 17 17 15 17 15 17 14 15 13 13 13 . 14 o 11 13 N 12 10 11 10 7 9 4 5 4 6 3 3 3 2 2 1 2

0 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 43 Substance use related deaths Statistical information

Table 3.6 Proportion of use-related suicides Table 3.6 shows the percentage of versus total number of suicides 1986-1995. use-related suicides to the total Men(%) Women(%) Total(%) number of suicides for the period 1986 52,0 33,3 45,9 1987 27,3 50,0 36,1 1986-1995. For this period, 50% of 1988 56,7 20,0 51,4 1989 75,0 50,0 68,2 suicides, on average, can be linked 1990 48,6 60,0 50,0 1991 48,3 37,5 45,9 to the use of alcohol and other 1992 39,1 40,0 39,3 1993 52,6 57,1 53,8 intoxicants. 1994 55,0 50,0 54,2 1995 72,2 40,0 66,6 Total 51,5 45,0 49,7 Source: Gudrún Thórisdóttir. Sudden deaths related to habituating and addictive substances 1986-1995.

Figure 3.6 show the proportion of use-related suicides of total number of suicides from 1986 to 1995. The proportion is a bit higher for men than women although there is no clear difference.

Figure 3.6. Percentage of abuse-related suicides to total number of suicides 1986-1995.

80,0

70,0 68,2 66,6 60,0 53,8 50,0 54,2 50,0 51,4 45,9 39,3 % 40,0 45,9 36,1 30,0

20,0

10,0

0,0 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

Men (%) Women (%) Total (%)

44 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Substance use related deaths Statistical information

Table 3.7 Deaths due to diseases Alcohol and other intoxicants have a related to the use of alcohol and biological impact on the body's other intoxicants 1986-1995. functioning and can cause numerous Total number Heart diseases 52 diseases or influence their progress. Pulmonary diseases 25 Brain diseases 5 Table 3.7 is a summary of the deaths Intestinal disease 10 attributable to the interaction of Other diseases 4 Total 94 substance use and diseases, 1986- Source: Gudrún Thórisdóttir. Sudden deaths related to habituating and addictive substances 1986-1995. 1995. It must be kept in mind that these figures show only those instances where an autopsy was performed. Conceivably, more deaths are related to the use of alcohol and other intoxicants than are recorded as such. The most common use-related diseases resulting in people's deaths are heart diseases. This sometimes involves the direct impact of intoxicants on the heart, e.g., addicts injecting themselves are at risk of getting endocarditis, and damage to the heart valves could lead to death. Also, the influence of alcohol and other intoxicants on individuals having some heart disease is sometimes indirect or concurrent.

Over these 10 years, 94 people died Table 3.8 Age distribution of people dying from diseases possibly related to use from diseases related to the use of alcohol and other intoxicants 1986-1995. of alcohol or other intoxicants. This Me n Wome n Total corresponds to nine people dying per 30-39 year 0 1 1 40-49 year 10 2 12 year because of use-related diseases. 50-59 year 28 8 36 Of these nine, seven were men, and 60-69 year221032 70-79 year 8 4 12 two were women. 80-89 year 1 0 1 Total692594 Source: Gudrún Thórisdóttir. Sudden deaths related to habituating and addictive substances 1986-1995.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 45 Substance use related deaths Statistical information

Table 3.8 (and Figure 3.7) provides information on the age distribution of those dying because of use-related diseases in the period 1986-1995. Most of those dying were 50-69 years old.

Hepatitis is one of the Figure 3.7 Age distribution of those dying because of use-related diseases in the diseases sometimes period 1986-1995. attributable to drug abuse

40 Men Women Total since it is transmitted among 36 35 addicts with unsterilised 32 30 28 needles. Figure 3.8 shows 25 r 22 e the incidence of hepatitis per b m 20 u 100,000 by type of infection. N 15 10 12 10 12 Since the period 1997-2000, 10 8 8 the incidence of hepatitis C 4 5 0 1 112 1 0 increased somewhat but 0 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 decreased again in 2001. year year year year year year The incidence of hepatitis B has increased somewhat since 1999. It is difficult to assert a relationship between the incidence of hepatitis and the number of addicts using needles, but they also increased in number in the Vogur Hospital during this period (see Figure 3.8).

Figure 3.8. Incidence of hepatitis per 100,000 1996 to 2001 along with the number of needle-using addicts at Vogur

35 400

350 030 0 ,0 300 la 025 k 0 fí 1 250 tu r 20 u e a p 200 r e p c15 s n 150 i e ld id10 jö c 100 F In 5 50

0 0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Needle-using addicts at Vogur

Source: Statistics Iceland; Annual SÁÁ Report 2001.

46 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Drug offences Statistical information

DRUG OFFENCES

Sources of information about the number of drug offences in Iceland include the Annual Reports of the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police and the annual report of the Reykjavik Police Chief as well as a report of the Drug Offences Department, which can be found on the home page of the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police. The information found in the annual reports on the number of offences covers all police intervention with people suspected of violating the Illegal Drugs Act. It is possible to find more detailed information about the number of arrests and charges at these offices and in the above-mentioned report of the Drug Offences Department. It must be kept firmly in mind that the figures of the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police on drug violations in Reykjavik are not always the same as those of the Reykjavik Police Chief. This happens because of different premises underlying the figures. The Reykjavik Police Chief counts all cases that it deals with, regardless of any further work, whereas the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police counts only the cases resulting in charges being brought and certain corrections. The State Prison Administration maintains information regarding the number of convictions by offence category and presents them in its annual report. There, among other things, one can find information about the number of drug offences, including whether convictions involve prison terms, probation or fines.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 47 Drug offences Statistical information

Table 4.1 and Figure 4.1 show the number of drug offences in the Reykjavik Police District and the corresponding trends from 1996 to 2001. Most drug offences in which the police intervene involve possession/use of drugs. During the period 1996-2001, 1796 such cases were recorded. The next biggest category is importation of drugs, and the police handled 350 such cases during the above period. All cases involving direct participation in importation come under that category. However, here it must be kept in mind that a majority of import cases occur in the Keflavik Police District, or more specifically at the Keflavik Airport, although the duty to investigate rests with the Reykjavik Police.

Table 4.1. Drug violations in Reykjavik Police Precinct 1996-2001.

Distribution/ Importation Possession/ Production Various Total sales Use drug violations 1996 18 39 479 4 41 581 1997 9 41 266 0 33 349 1998 14 29 266 3 32 344 1999 27 63 357 2 43 492 2000 18 81 209 2 32 342 2001 26 97 219 8 38 388 112 350 1796 19 219 2496 Souce:Reykjavik Police

Figure 4.1. Drug violations in Reykjavik Police Precinct 1996-2001.

400 357 1999 2000 2001 350

300 r e b 250 219 m 209 u N 200 150 97 100 81 63 43 32 38 50 27 18 26 2 2 8 0 Distribution/sales Importation Possession/use Production Various drug violations

48 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Drug offences Statistical information

Table 4.2 contains information Table 4.2 Drug vialation in Iceland. about the number of drug 1998 1999 2000 2001 Distribution/sales 57 69 46 63 offences in Iceland in 1998, Importation 45 74 103 117 Possession/use 493 692 507 593 1999, 2000 and 2001. The Production 87814number of offences involving Various drug offences 110 119 117 124 713 961 781 911 importation of drugs increased Source: National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police. from 1998 to 2000. Importation has probably grown from year to year, and one can likewise assume that the police focus more and more of their efforts on importation. Both in Iceland and abroad, more emphasis is placed on the apprehension of those producing, importing and selling drugs than on the drug users.

Figure 4.2. Number of drug violations in Iceland, broken down by category

800 692 700 1998 1999 2000 2001 593 600 r 493 507 e500 b m400 u N300 200 10 3 117 110 119 117 12 4 74 100 57 69 46 63 45 8 7 8 14 0 Distribution/sales Importation Possession/use Production Various drug violations

Table 4.3 shows the age distribution of those suspected of drug violations. Until 1999 the number of those aged 20 and under increased. In 1999 over half of those suspected of drug violations were 20 or under, but this dropped to 36% in 2001.

Table 4.3. Age distribution of those arrested by the Reykjavik Police for drug violations 1999-2001 (%).

1999 2000 2001 15 and under 7,9 2,9 1,2 16-20 48,3 40,7 34,6 21-25 11,3 26,0 26,0 26-30 8,2 13,2 14,7 31-40 15,1 10,5 14,1 41-50 8,4 6,1 7,6 51-60 0,4 0,5 1,8 61 and over 0,4 0,0 0,0 Source: Reykjavik Police

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 49 Drug offences Statistical information

The number of convictions for drug offences has increased in the last several years. A summary of the trend is found in Table 4.4 (and Figure 4.3). Overall, the number of convictions has nearly quadrupled. The number of convictions involving imprisonment has increased substantially and the number of convictions involving fines even more so during this nine-year period. Table 5.3 in the section below shows the same kind of summary of convictions for violations of the Alcohol and Customs Acts.

Table 4.4. Number of convictions for drug violations

Prison sentences Paroled sentences Fines Total 1991 22 10 1 33 1992 28 6 2 36 1993 24 24 4 52 1994 34 7 10 51 1995 51 10 40 101 1996 54 17 38 109 1997 57 19 38 114 1998 54 20 43 117 1999 55 24 43 122 2000 60 44 58 162 2001 63 35 69 167 Source: State Prison Administration

Figure 4.3. Number of convictions for drug violations by type of punishment 1991-2001.

80

70 Prison sentence

60 Paroled sentence r e 50 b Fine m 40 u N 30

20

10

0 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

50 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Drug offences Statistical information

Table 4.5 Average number Table 4.5 shows a summary of the average number of drug violation prisoners of prisoners convicted of drug offenses for the five- 1981-2000. year period 1981 til 2000. The number of prisoners

Year Number serving terms for drug violations has increased 1981-85 25 during this period in keeping with the increased 1986-90 29 number of drug convictions in the courts. Over the 1991-95 32 1996-00 56 five-year period 1981 to 1985 there were usually 25 Average 35 drug offense prisonsers, while from 1996 to 2000 Source: State Prison Administration. there were 56. On average, there were 35 drug offense prisoners per year over this 20-year period.

Table 4.6 is a summary of the number Table 4.6 Number of imprisonments for of those serving prison terms for drug drug offences. offences from 1992 to 2001. The Drug vialation Proportion of prisoners all prisoners (%) reasons for imprisonment are 1992 28 8,3 1993 24 7,9 categorised by the seriousness of 1994 34 10,7 offences. Many were guilty of violating 1995 51 13,8 1996 54 13,0 more than one provision of the law, and 1997 57 18,3 1998 54 20,1 some classification procedure must 1999 55 23,5 2000 55 24,8 therefore be employed. An individual 2001 75 committing both a serious offence Source: State Prison Administration. involving violence and a drug offence is therefore classified under offences involving violence since they carry more severe punishment. Consequently, the drug offences are probably more numerous than records show. It can be seen in the table that drug offence prisoners as a percentage of the total number of prisoners has increased considerably during this period.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 51 Drug offences Statistical information

Table 4.7 Number of prisoners accepting an offer for Table 4.7 shows the alcohol and drug treatment while serving their sentences. number of prisoners Number Number of prisoners Proportion of accepting an offer for of comleting of prisoners prisoners treatment completing treatment alcohol and drug 1990 13 11 84,6 1991 16 10 62,5 treatment while serving 1992 13 7 53,8 their sentences as well as 1993 8 7 87,5 1994 14 12 85,7 the number completing 1995 25 20 80,0 1996 41 32 78,0 treat-ment. During these 1997 30 20 66,7 1998 18 13 68,0 11 years, 65,9% of those 1999 25 17 68,0 accepting treatment 2000 15 3 20,0 2001 28 10 35,7 usually completed it. Source: Annual Report of the State Prison Administration.

Figure 4.4. Number of prisoners completing alcohol and drug abuse treatment during their sentences

45 Number of prisoners 40 35 Prisoners completing 30 treatment r e b 25 m u 20 N 15 10 5 0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

52 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Alcohol Act violations Statistical information

ALCOHOL ACT VIOLATIONS

The Alcohol Act stipulates how the sale, distribution and handling of alcohol shall be arranged. Generally, about 2400 violations of the Alcohol Act come to the attention of the police each year. Information about the number of Alcohol Act offences is available at the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police, which collects the information from the records of all of the police commissioners in Iceland. The Office of the Reykjavik Police Chief also maintains information about the number of Alcohol Act offences within its own district. It must be kept firmly in mind that the figures of the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police on drug violations in Reykjavik are not always the same as those of the Reykjavik Police Chief. This happens because of different premises underlying the figures. The Reykjavik Police Chief counts all cases that it deals with, regardless of any further work, whereas the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police counts only the cases resulting in charges being brought and certain corrections. The State Prison Administration publishes an annual report, containing, among other things, a summary of the number of convictions by offence category. Below, such information concerning convictions for violations of the Alcohol Act is shown, although it is relatively little. The convictions are divided into probationary convictions and convictions involving fines, and the latter convictions are commoner for Alcohol Act for offences than probationary convictions.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 53 Alcohol Act violations Statistical information

Table 5.1 (and Figure Table 5.1 Alcohol Act offences in Iceland. 5.1) shows a summary Drunkenness Various of the number of Alco- Production Illegal sales in a Alcohol /brewing of alcohol public place Act offences hol Act offences for all 1998 49 42 2199 298 of Iceland in 1998 to 1999 36 44 1938 279 2000 27 29 2257 352 2001. According to this, 2001 13 28 1932 257 there are, on average, Source: National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police. 2445 violations per year.

Figure 5.1. Offenses under the Alcohol Act in Iceland 1998-2001. 2500 2257 2199 2000 19 3 8 19 3 2

r e 1500 b m u N 1000

500 298 279 352 257

49 4236 44 27 2913 28 0 1998 1999 2000 2001 Production/brewing Illegal alcohol sales Public drunkeness Various infractons of Alcohol Act

The largest offence category is violations against Article 21 of the Alcohol Act for drunkenness in a public place. Article 21 of the Alcohol Act, no. 78/1998, is as follows: "Any person who, because of drunkenness, causes disturbance, danger or outrage in a public place, at public gatherings, in automobiles or other vehicles or ships shall be held accountable under this Act." According to information from the police, nowhere near all who are recorded under this offence category are charged. Charging depends on the ability to prove undeniably that the person involved has caused disturbance, danger or outrage in a public place by being drunk. Violations of the Alcohol Act are subject to fine or imprisonment. According to directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions, violations of provisions of the Act on drunkenness in a public place are subject only to fines.

54 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Alcohol Act violations Statistical information

Table 5.2. Offenses under Alcohol Act, involving Reykjavik Police 1997 to 2001.

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Alcohol Act, illegal production of alcohol (brewing) 22 19 12 10 6 Alcohol Act, illegal sale of alcohol 27 18 18 7 11 Alcohol Act, alcohol served to someone under 20 2 4 16 42 21 Alcohol Act, violation of alcohol advertising rules 4 6 9 5 Alcohol Act, alcohol served in restaurant with no liquor licence 2 1 1 1 Alcohol Act, presence of youth under 18 in a liquor-serving esta 1 8 32 37 33 Alcohol Act, public drunkeness (Article 21) 1597 1496 1305 1660 1399 Alcohol Act, possession of illegal alcohol 8 4 8 Alcohol Act, miscellaneous 1631153038 TOTAL 1671 1576 1413 1800 1522 Source: Reykjavik Police

As one can understand, most of the Alcohol Act violations are recorded by the Reykjavik Police because of how numerous the people in the district are. Table 5.2 shows a summary of Alcohol Act violations recorded by the Reykjavik Police. On average, 1600 charges for violations of the Alcohol Act are made per year. This means that 64% of Alcohol Act violations in Iceland occur in the Reykjavik Police Precinct. The number of cases varies from year to year for various reasons, and it is not clear whether the increase occurring between 1999 and 2000 occurred because of the increase in alcohol consumption, increased surveillance or changed police work procedures.

Figure 5.2. Alcohol Act violations, other than public drunkeness, the Reykjavik Police Precinct 1997-2000.

160 140 140 123 120 108 100 r e b 74 80 m 80 u N 60

40

20

0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 55 Alcohol Act violations Statistical information

Figure 5.2 shows the number of Alcohol Act offences, with the exception of drunkenness in a public place. Examination of this figure shows that the number of Alcohol Act violations, with exception of public drunkeness, increased from 1997 to 2000 but decreased again in 2001. The reasons for these changes are not clear but could stem from increased surveillance.

Table 5.3 Number of convictions for offences Table 5.3 shows a summary of the under the Alcohol and Costoms Act. number of convictions for

Probationary violations of the Alcohol and sentences Imposing fines Total 1995 32831Customs Acts in the period 1995- 1996 12526 1997 49131999. During the period, the 1998 01919number of convictions decreased. 1999 31922 Source: Annual Report of the State Prison Administration.

The Reykjavik Police record the reasons that people go to jail at the police station on Hverfisgata. According to the records form 1999 to 2001, the most cases by far can be attributed to the consumption of alcohol or other intoxicants. The commonest reason for people to be jailed there is drunkenness in a public place. Those arrested for drunkenness in a public place have had an altercation with other people or fallen asleep out in the open, or it was not possible to wake them.

Table 5.4 shows a summary Table 5.4 Percentage of the total number of those in police custody for offences related to alcohol or of the proportion of those intoxicants. staying the night in a cell 1999 2000 2001 Jailing, at individual´s own request 10,7 16,9 13,6 with the Reykjavik Police Drugs, possession, use 5,5 3,8 3,3 for reasons in some way Drunkenness in a public place 37,0 45,2 41,1 Drunken driving 3,0 2,0 2,8 related to the use of alcohol Source: Reykjavik Police. or other intoxicants.

56 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Drunken driving Statistical information

DRUNKEN DRIVING

Alcohol and other drugs affect people's perceptions and responses. Articles 44-47 of the Traffic Act, no. 50/1987, require the driver of a motor vehicle to be "physically and mentally capable of controlling the vehicle that he is driving", and that no one may drive or attempt to drive a vehicle who is incapable of controlling it safely because of having consumed alcohol or other stimulating or tranquillising substances. Article 47 of the same Act further defines the safety limits and measurements to confirm whether the driver of a motor vehicle is under the influence of alcohol. If the volume of alcohol in a driver's exhalation proves to exceed the legal limit (0.25 mg per litre of air), the person involved is sent to have a blood sample taken for more precise measurement. The legal limit for the volume of alcohol in a driver's blood is 0.50‰. Information on the number of drunken driving violations can be obtained at the Reykjavik Chief of Police and the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police, which has undertaken the collection and collation of information from all of the chiefs of police in Iceland. Since police records contain only the violators who have been caught, they do not provide satisfactory information for assessing the number of drunken driving violations, and the police, on numerous occasions, have stated that their figures only show the tip of the iceberg. It has also proved difficult for the police to charge people with driving while under the influence of drugs since such testing is very expensive. However, police records provide certain clues on the composition of the group that is charged with drunken driving.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 57 Drunken driving Statistical information

Table 6.1 (Figure 6.1) shows a summary of the number of those suspected of drunken driving, both throughout Iceland and in the police district of Reykjavik for the period 1996- 2000. The police in Reykjavik, according to these figures, arrested 1000 drivers per year suspected of drunken driving, while in the entire country, there are approximately twice as many violations, or 2000. However, after calculating the number of violations per 10,000 people, one sees that the ratio in the entire country is lower than that in Reykjavik. From 1997 to 2001 an average of almost 72 per 10,000 Icelanders were stopped for suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol, vs. nearly 91 per 10,000 residents of Reykjavik.

Table 6.1. Suspicion of driving while under the influence, total number of violations and number of violations per 10,000 residents.

Total number Total number Violations per Violations per violations within violations 10.000 10000 Reykjavik police jurisdict in Iceland Reykjavik residents residents in Iceland 1997 862 1.851 81 68 1998 1.018 2.111 94 77 1999 937 1.959 85 71 2000 1.381 2.482 124 89 2001 939 2.081 84 74 *Figures lacking here because of recording problems Source: Reykjavik Police/National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police

Figure 6.1. Driving while under the influence, number of violations 1997-2001. 3,000 2,482 2,500 2,111 2,081 1,851 1,959 2,000 . 1,381 o 1,500 N 1,018 937 939 1,000 862

500

0 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Total number of violations within Reykjavik Police Precinct Total number of violations in Iceland

58 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Drunken driving Statistical information

Table 6.2 (and Figure 6.2) shows the breakdown by gender of those charged with drunken driving in the Reykjavik police district. A large majority, i.e., 75 to 80%, of those charged with drunken driving in the period 1996-2001 were men. From 1996 to 2000 the proportion of men increased somewhat but decreased in 2001 when the proportion of women increased again to almost 23%.

Table 6.2. Driving while under the influence: Proportion of citations, by gend

1996 1997* 1998 1999 2000 2001 %Men 76.7 75.0 78.6 79.8 79.9 77.4 %Women 23.3 25.0 21.4 20.2 20.1 22.6 *Estimated Source: Reykjavik Police

Figure 6.2. Driving while under the influence, proportion of citations by gender.

100 23.3 21.4 25.0 20.2 20.1 80 22.6

60 % 40 76.7 75.0 78.6 79.8 79.9 77.4 20

0 1996 1997* 1998 1999 2000 2001 %Men %Women

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 59 Drunken driving Statistical information

Table 6.3 contains a summary of the age distribution of those charged with drunken driving in the Reykjavik police district in the period 1996-2001. About 50% of them were aged 18- 27. more detailed analysis, one can see how many there are for a particular age. Over 22% of all those cited for driving while under the influence in 2000 were 20 or younger, and nearly half were 27 or younger. The biggest single group were those aged 20, with 61 of 826 being in this group (7.4%). According to this information from the police, it appears that young men are the majority of those driving under the influence of alcohol.

Table 6.3. Driving while under the influence: Proportion of citations by age.

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 <18 2.9 3.7 1.4 5.5 3.5 3.7 18-27 48.0 47.6 51.4 50.6 49.3 46.9 28-37 23.5 14.6 22.1 17.0 19.8 19.9 38-47 14.2 17.7 13.9 14.6 14.6 17.6 48-57 7.4 12.8 8.2 8.9 8.1 7.6 >57 3.9 3.7 2.9 3.4 4.6 4.3 All included, also those not measured. Source: Reykjavik Police

Figure 6.3. Proportion of citations by age.

3.9 3.7 2.9 4.6 3.4 4.3 100 7.4 12.8 8.2 8.9 8.1 7.6 14.2 13.9 80 14.6 17.7 14.6 17.6 23.5 22.1 17.0 60 14.6 19.8 19.9 % 40 48.0 47.6 51.4 50.6 20 49.3 46.9

2.9 3.7 0 1.4 5.5 3.5 3.7 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

<18 18-27 28-37 38-47 48-57 >57

60 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Drunken driving Statistical information

Of those arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in the period 1998-2000, more than 40% were measured with over 3.01 0/00 of alcohol in their blood (see Table 6.4 and Figure 6.4). A driver with such a great quantity of alcohol in his blood is deemed to be dead drunk and completely incapable of controlling a motor vehicle.

Table 6.4. Proportion of driving under the influence by degree of fine. Fine degree determined by alcohol content of blood.

1998 1999 2000 2001 Per mille Under minimum 9.2 15.7 14.6 9.1 0.00-0.50 1st degree fine 5.9 5.9 8.3 7.1 0.51-1.00 2nd degree fine 9.1 10.3 10.3 8.7 1.01-1.50 3rd degree fine 9.1 8.9 8.6 9.6 1.51-2.00 4th degree fine 12.8 13 11.9 12.3 2.01-2.50 5th degree fine 5.8 4.9 5.1 5.1 2.51-3.00 6th degree fine 48.3 41.3 41.1 48.1 3.01-3.27 Source: Reykjavik Police

Figure 6.4. Measured amount of alcohol in blood. Proportion by degree of fine.

100 90 80 41,3 41,1 48,3 48,1 70

60 4,9 5,1 % 50 5,8 13 11, 9 5,1 12 , 8 12 , 3 40 8,9 8,6 9,6 30 9,1 10 , 3 10 , 3 20 9,1 5,9 8,3 8,7 5,9 7,1 10 15 , 7 14 , 6 9,2 9,1 0 1998 1999 2000 2001

Under minimum 1st degree fine 2nd degree fine 3rd degree fine 4th degree fine 5th degree fine 6th degree fine

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 61 Accidents and deaths due to drunken driving Statistical information

ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS DUE TO DRUNKEN DRIVING

Alcohol blunts the senses and reflexes, and this reduces drivers' ability to control vehicles. Driving under the influence of alcohol therefore substantially increases the risk of accidents. The Iceland Traffic Council and The Icelandic Road Accident Analysis Group maintain and provide information about the number of traffic accidents, and this information is obtained from the reports of Iceland's police departments. The information available from these parties includes the number of accidents and fatal accidents occurring because of drunken driving. However, this information can be limited because not all drivers are sent for blood tests to check the alcohol content of their blood; this is only done in instances where there is a strong suspicion of intoxication. When fatal accidents are involved, the proportion of those sent for blood tests is rather high in Iceland, compared with many places elsewhere. These figures are therefore rather precise although not exhaustive. Driving under the influence of drugs seems to slip by the system, and there are many reasons for this. It is difficult to say with certainty whether a driver is under the influence of drugs and, if so, which drugs even though there is a strong suspicion, based on his behavior and appearance. Testing for drugs to confirm whether the person involved is under such influence is expensive. Such extremely expensive testing is therefore seldom done unless people know what to look for.

62 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Accidents and deaths due to drunken driving Statistical information

Table 7.1 is a summary for the period 1992 to 1999 of the number of traffic accidents, involving and not involving injury, attributable to drunken driving. Also found there is the number injured in accidents attributable to drunken driving for the period 1990-1999.

Table 7.1. Traffic accidents related to driving under the influence of alcohol 1990-1999.

Number of accidents Number of accidents Total number Number injured not involving injury involving injury of accidents in traffic attributable to attributable to attributable to where intoxication intoxication intoxication intoxication was involved 1990 50 88 1991 46 66 1992 143 46 189 67 1993 144 52 196 85 1994 126 64 190 89 1995 147 58 205 81 1996 110 61 171 86 1997 112 55 167 64 1998 153 61 214 62 1999 166 58 224 77 Source: The Iceland Traffic Council

The number of traffic accidents caused by drunkenness has increased somewhat after 1997. This can be seen clearly in Figure 7.1.

Figure 7.1 Numer of traffic accidents attributable to drunken driving 1992-1999.

250

200 r e 150 b m u N 100

50

0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Number of accidents without injury attributable to intoxication Number of accidents with injury attributable to intoxication Total number of accidents attributable to intoxication

Source: The Iceland Traffic Council

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 63 Accidents and deaths due to drunken driving Statistical information

Table 7.2 shows the number of injured and dead in drunken accidents from 1993 to 1999. Most accidents involving death occurred in 1995 when six persons died in traffic accidents caused by drunken driving. During this period, 20 individuals per year, on average, sustained severe injuries in traffic accidents due to drunken driving; 60 individuals received minor injuries, and 3 died.

Table 7.2. Number injured and killed in traffic accidents, where driving under the influence caused the accident

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Deaths 2161143 Serious injury 35 23 17 18 15 17 16 Minor injury 50 66 64 68 66 45 61 Total 87 90 87 87 82 66 80 Source: Iceland Traffic Council

Table 7.3 (and figure 7.2) shows those injured in drunken accidents as a percentage of the total number injured in traffic accidents from 1993 to 1999. According to these data, one can say that about 7% of those injured in traffic accidents during the period were injured in accidents due to drunken driving. However, the percentage in 1993 raises this figure rather much since the average for the other six years is about 5%.

Table 7.3. Proportion (%) of total number injured and dead in traffic accidents where drunken driving caused the accident

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Deaths 11.8 8.3 25.0 10.0 6.7 14.8 10.0 Serious injury 14.2 9.5 7.1 7.9 7.4 8.3 7.2 Minor injury 4.2 5.4 4.6 5.1 5.1 3.8 4.1 Total 16.7 6.1 5.3 5.6 5.4 4.6 4.7 Source: Iceland Traffic Council

64 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Accidents and deaths due to drunken driving Statistical information

Figure 7.2. Proportion (%) of the total number injured and dead in traffic accidents, where drunken driving caused the accident 1993-1999.

25 25

20 15 14 15 12 10 % 10 10 10 7 8 8 7 8 7 5 7 4 5 5 5 5 4 4

0 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Deaths Serious injury Minor injury

In 1995, 25% of fatal traffic accidents were attributable to drunkenness of the driver. In the period 1993 to 1999, an average of 12.4% of fatal accidents occurred because of drunken driving. And in 2000 drunken drivers caused 16% of the fatal accidents.

Table 7.4 Breakdown by age of drunken drivers in traffic accidents 1995-1999.

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Age Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % ≤16 47 35 36 35 00 17-20 13 22 15 25 16 29 19 31 15 26 21-24 5 9 10 16 6 11 4 7 13 22 25-40 21 36 22 36 17 31 19 31 16 28 41-64 11 19 9 15 11 20 14 23 12 21 ≥65 47 23 24 23 23 Source: Iceland Traffic C ouncil

Table 7.4 (and Figure 7.3) contains a summary by age group of drunken drivers involved in traffic accidents 1995-1999. There, one can see that a large share of those driving under the influence and causing traffic accidents were 16 to 24 years old, and, generally, 44% of those causing the accidents were in this age group. On average, during this five-year period, 27% were 17-20 years old, and 13% were 21-24 years old. Here, interplay of inexperience and probably a certain careless attitude toward after drinking alcohol, to a certain extent, is involved.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 65 Accidents and deaths due to drunken driving Statistical information

Figure 7.3 Age distribution of those causing traffic accidents while driving undar the influence of alcohol (%). 40

35

30

25

% 20

15

10

5

0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

≤16 years 17-20 years 21-24 years 25-40 years 41-64 years ≥65 years

Figure 7.4 shows the breakdown by gender of drunken drivers involved in accidents resulting in injury and death. Men are a large majority there. This is congruent with the fact that more men appear to drive while under the influence of alcohol (cf. p. 56).

Figure 7.4 Gender breakdown in accidents of drivers suffering injuries and death where the cause of the accident was drunken driving. 60 Men Women 49 49 50 46 42 42 41 39 40 r e b m 30 u N 20 17 15 16 16 15 12 10 10

0 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Source: The Iceland Traffic Council

66 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Accidents and deaths due to drunken driving Statistical information

According to Table 7.5, drunken Table 7.5 Percentage (%) of drunken accidents of driving is generally the cause of al traffic accidents in Nordic countries 1990-2000. about 7% of traffic accidents in Iceland Denmark Sweden Norway 1990 9175 7 Iceland. In Denmark, drunken 1991 6175 9 1992 5175 8 driving is the cause of 15.6% of 1993 5164 9 traffic accidents, which is the 1994 6164 7 1995 5153 highest percentage in the Nordic 1996 5153 1997 5163 countries. This is possibly 1998 5153 1999 5123 explained by the fact that Danes Sources: Iceland: the Iceland Traffic Council; drink more than people in other Denmark: Møller, Lars; Sweden: Gottormsson, Ulf; Norway: Lohiniva, R. J. B. L. countries; it is more urban there, and the speed of traffic is greater. Danes’ legal limit for the permissible volume of alcohol in the blood has been 0.8‰, which is higher than in the other Nordic countries. About 5 of every 100 traffic accidents in Sweden and 8 of every 100 in Norway are attributed to drunken driving.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 67 Sexual violence Statistical information

SEXUAL VIOLENCE

It is common for those committing sexual offences to be drunk or under the influence of other intoxicants. Likewise, the victims are often under the influence of such substances. Thus, in many instances there is a correlation between sexual crimes and the consumption of alcohol and other intoxicants. Information about the number of those falling victim to sexual violence is extremely limited since only a very few of them seek assistance at emergency wards. Only a very few of those seeking assistance report the occurrence to the police, and only a few of those doing so take their case to the courts. The National University Hospital in Fossvogur runs an emergency ward for rape, and the victims of sexual crimes are referred to this ward. There, they have the opportunity of medical testing, filing a report, talking with counsellors specialised in working with such cases and receiving support and information about what they can do further. From this information, it is possible to discover whether the victim involved was under the influence of alcohol and/or other intoxicants. At the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police, one can obtain information about the number of those suspected of rape and other sexual offences. It is also possible to obtain such information from the Reykjavik Chief of Police. The annual report of the State Prison Administration contains a summary of those convicted of sexual offences. However, it must be kept in mind that this record is not transparent because each individual is recorded in only one offence category even though found guilty in more than one offence category. In recording, only the offence category carrying the heaviest punishment is taken into consideration

68 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Sexual violence Statistical information

Table 8.1 contains a summary of the admissions to the Emergency Ward for Rape along with a situational diagnosis. In the period 1999 to 2000, there were 100 admissions to the emergency ward each year. The number of admissions increased substantially in 2001 when 136 individuals came to the ward but decreased again slightly in 2002.

Table 8.1 Emergency Ward asmissions for rape.

1999 2000 2001 2002 Admissions af Emergency Ward 103 97 134 119 Number of those in alcoholic coma 30 30 41 38 Number of those awakening during the event 12399 Possible drugging 55 More than one rapist 10 10 16 17 Number of cases charged 47 34 53 57 Source: Emergency Ward admissions for rape.

Usually about 35 victims during this four-year period were in an alcoholic stupor when the incident occurred, and eight, on average, woke up during the incident. In five instances in 1999 and 2000 drugging was suspected, but no such incidents came up in 2001 and 2002. Alcohol and extreme drunkeness are therefore more important in the overall findings than drugging.

Figure 8.1. Emergency admissions for rape

140

120 1999 2000 2001 2002 100 r e b 80 m u 60 N 40 20

0 Emergency Number in Number Possible More than Number of admissions alcoholic waking up drugging one complaints stupor during perpetrator incident

The number of instances involving more than one perpetrator somewhat increased. The question can be asked whether the standards for sexual behaviour have changed in recent years, for example, because of the impact of the media.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 69 Sexual violence Statistical information

Figure 8.2 shows the age distribution of those admitted to emergency rooms for rape during the period 1993 to 2001. The number of addmissions increased during the period, most in the younger age groups, especially those aged 19-25 and 16-18.

Figure 8.2 Age of victims at Emergency Ward for Rape 1993-2001.

60 12-15 ára 16-18 years 19-25 years 50 26-35 years 36-45 years 46-55 years

r 40 <55 years e b m30 u N 20

10

0 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Source: Emergency Ward for Rape

Figure 8.3 Reasons for Figure 8.3 shows a summary of the imprisonment in 1995-2002. number of individuals in prison for crimes 40 of violence and sexual offences, 1995- 35 1999. It is conceivable that some people 30 recorded under offences involving r 25 e b violence are also serving time because of m 20 u N 15 sexual offences since some instances

10 involve multiple convictions. Sexual violence other violence 5

0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Source: State Prison Administration

When a multiple conviction is involved, the State Prison Administration records the individual involved only under the offence category regarded as the most serious one or carrying the longest sentence. From these figures, it is difficult to see the new arrivals since each individual is counted once each year while in prison. Thus, the same individuals are involved from year to year with minor changes.

70 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Sexual violence Statistical information

Figure 8.4 shows the number of probationary sentences for convictions involving sexual offences and offences involving violence for the period 1995-1999. The figure shows that between 1996 and 1998 the number of such sentences for offences involving violence increased substantially, but decreased again in 1999. On the other hand, the number of probationary sentences stays fairly steady from year to year, though it can be said that each year, on average, nine individuals received probationary sentences for convictions involving sexual offences. Of 47 complaints in 1999, only seven concluded with probationary convictions.

The inertia of such cases in the Figure 8.4 Number of probationary sentences 1995-2002. judicial system conceivably

12 3 reduces the victims' interest in 120 Sexual violence filing complaints about offences Another violence 91 100 because there is no assurance 76 r e 80 66 b 65 that they will go all the way m u 60 N through the system. It is 40 noteworthy that despite 14 10 10 20 6 7 increased discussion of growing 0 violence in the last few years, 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 the number of those in prison for offences involving violence and sexual offences has decreased.

Figure 8.5 shows a summary Figure 8.5 Number of sentences for fines 1995-2002. of the number of those who have been fined or convicted 35 32 Sexual violence 30 and fined for sexual offences 30 Another violance and offences involving 25 22 r e 20 violence. Convictions for b 17 16 m u sexual offences are rare, but N 15 the number of such convictions 10

3 for offences involving violence 5 1 1 1 0 increased somewhat between 0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 1997 and 1998. Source: State Prison Administration

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 71 Research Statistical information

RESEARCH

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council bases its work on the results of research in the field of substance abuse prevention and continuous evaluation of the results of substance abuse prevention measures. Such research is an important tool for preventive efforts, and on the basis of it, it is possible, among other things, to gauge what to emphasise each time. The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council therefore aims at providing an overview of alcohol and drug abuse in Iceland, the harmfulness and cost to society resulting from it, insofar as possible, and making the findings accessible to as many working in the field of substance abuse prevention as possible. For this purpose, the council starts from systematic consumer and lifestyle surveys on various age groups, qualitative surveys, e.g., on the circumstances and sense of well-being of children and youths, research to evaluate the results of projects supported by the Prevention Fund, the processing of studies in progress and extensive collaboration with as many parties as possible engaged in research on healthfulness and lifestyle. The benefit of postponing when children start using alcohol, and thereby other intoxicants, is generally acknowledged since such delay increases the likelihood of their getting a good start in life. All children and youths have the right to grow up in an environment protected from the consequences of alcohol and drug abuse and, insofar as possible, the marketing of such goods. The chief criterion used as a yardstick of whether society is moving in the right direction is surveys done among students in the upper grades of compulsory school that were initiated under the auspices of the Institute of Educational Research (RUM), but which, in recent years, have been conducted by the company Rannsóknir og greining ehf. (Education and Analysis) (R&G). The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council, in collaboration with other parties like the City of Reykjavik, has financed these studies. The result of these efforts is extensive information on the lifestyle and consumption habits of young people in Iceland. This involves surveys presented to all compulsory school students in school on the day of the survey. It can be said that population data are involved since only a small fraction of students are absent or refuse to participate in the survey. In the fall of 2000, in cooperation with R&G and others, a study was launched on the lifestyle of students in Iceland's upper secondary schools. The survey, Young People in Upper Secondary Schools, is to some degree comparable to the research presented in the upper

72 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Research Statistical information

grades of compulsory school, and the upper secondary school survey done in 1992. The research findings indicate that drunkenness among 16- to 19-year-old students in upper secondary schools in Iceland in 2000 decreased, compared with 1992. In November 2001 the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council commissioned an extensive study of alcohol and drug abuse among the general public in Iceland. IMG Gallup conducted the study, which, among other things, inquired into the use of alcohol and drugs and attitudes toward prevention and alcohol legislation. The sample, randomly selected from the National Register, comprised 4000 people, aged 18-75. Half of the sample received the survey in the mail, while the other half was interviewed by telephone. The response rate was 56.3% for the mail survey and 71% for the telephone survey (average 63.7%). The study was in part comparable to the research done at the National University Hospital, under the direction of Tómas Helgason for the period 1972-1992. It is also partially comparable to recent foreign studies. In preparing the study, the council enjoyed the support of the scientists Ása Gudmundsdóttir, Helgi Gunnlaugsson, Hildigunnur Ólafsdóttir and Kristinn Tómasson.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 73 Research Statistical information

According to research data and analysis of the trend in students' use of alcohol in the 10th grade in recent years, it can be seen that such use appears to have decreased (see Figure 9.1). Thus, it can be seen that the proportion of those having at some point in their lives consumed alcohol has decreased from 81% to 77% from 1997 to 2002. Also, the proportion of students saying they had at some time got drunk decreased from 64% to 52% from 1995 to 2002.

Figure 9.1 Alcohol comsumption of 10th graders in 1995-2002.

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20% Have tasted alcohol in there lifetime 10% Have been drunk sometime in there lifetime Have been drunk sometime over the last 30 days 0% 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Source: Rannsóknir og greining 2002.

Students were also asked how often they had got drunk in the 30 days before the survey. The proportion of 10th graders answering that they had got drunk in the 30 days before the survey fell from 46% in 1995 to 26% in 2002. These findings indicate some results from preventive measures during this period.

Figure 9.2. Percentage of students getting drunk one or more times within 30 days of the survey

70 63 60 57 57 52 1998 2000 2001 2002 50

40 % 30 22 18 20 16 15 8 7 10 6 6

0 8th grade 9th grade 10th grade

Source: Rannsóknir og greining 2002.

74 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Research Statistical information

Figure 9.2 shows the proportion of students in the 8th, 9th and 10th grades reporting that they had got drunk one and more times within 30 days of the survey. Over this period, the percentage decreased somewhat in grades 9 and 10, where the same pattern for the period can be seen. It is more difficult to discern a comparable pattern for the 8th grade, where the proportion has more or less stayed the same. The trend in the use of illegal drugs by students in the 10th grade is shown in Figure 9.3.The figure shows an increase from 1995 to 1998, but the usage has either decreased or stayed the same since then. These figures include all those who have tried these substances, but it is difficult to view those trying drugs once in the same way as those using such substances regularly. Further examination is therefore necessary (see Figure 9.4).

Figure 9.3. Proportion of 10th grade students using the listed substances one or more times in their lives

24 Hashish Sniffing substances (e.g., glue) 21 Amphetamines 17 Ecstasy tablets 18 15 15 13 12 % 11 12 11 11 12 10 9 8 8 7 7 7 6 5 4 444 3 3 3 2 2 1 2 2 2 0 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Source: Rannsóknir og greining 2002.

In considering the use of hashish, sniffing substances, amphetamines and ecstasy tablets by 10th grade students, it comes to light that such use has decreased from 1998 to 2000, and this is in accordance with the trend seen in Figure 9.3 above. The proportion of those having used amphetamines and ecstasy tablets three or more times stayed the same after 2000. Also, the proportion of those having used hashish three or more times stayed the same in 2002 as in 2001.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 75 Research Statistical information

Figure 9.4 Proportion of students in 10th grade 1998-2002 who have used the following drugs at least 3 times in there lifetime.

12 11 10 1998 2000 2001 2002 8 7 7 6 6 % 6 4 4 4 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 0 Hashish Sniffing substances Amphetamine Ecstasy

Source: Rannsóknir og greining 2002.

From this, it can be seen that about half of those reporting they had tried sniffing substances, amphetamines and ecstasy tablets did so at least three times. When the proportion of those having tried hash three or more times is compared with the proportion of those having tried it at least once, it can be seen that the majority of these, or on average 40%, have only tried it once or twice (see Figure 9.5).

Figure 9.5 Cannabis use among 10th graders (lifetime use).

18 17 16 1 time or more 3 times or more 14 12 12 11 11 11 % 10 8 77 6 6 4 2 0 1998 2000 2001 2002

Source: Rannsóknir og greining 2002.

In addition to studies on the abuse of alcohol and drugs by youths in compulsory school, surveys have also been conducted on use among upper secondary school students in Iceland. Figure 9.6 shows the situation as it was in the fall of 2000. About half of the students said they had consumed alcohol 40 or more times in their lives. In the 30 days preceding the survey, only about 24% had not consumed any alcohol, which means that about 76% of

76 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Research Statistical information

students had drunk alcohol at least once in the last 30 days. A great majority of them had done so five times or fewer, although about 11% of students had drunk alcohol six to nine times in the last 30 days.

Figure 9.6 Alcohol use among upper secondary school students in the fall 2000. 50,0 45,0 46,7 40,0 Lifetime use Use in the last 30 days 33,1 35,0 30,0 23,7 25,3 % 25,0 20,0 15,0 9,2 10,9 11,2 15,0 10,0 5,8 6,0 4,9 5,0 6,1 1,3 0,8 0,0 Never 1-2 times 3-5 times 6-9 times 10-19 20-39 40 times or times times more

Source: Rannsóknir og greining 2000.

Clearly a large majority of upper secondary school students have begun to drink somewhat regularly; it is therefore much more interesting to look at how they drink, and how often they have got drunk. About 84% of upper secondary school students have got drunk at least one or more times in their lives (see Figure 9.7). It can also be seen that few have become intoxicated more than six times in the last 30 days. About 56% of students said they had got drunk five or fewer times in the 30 days before the survey.

Figure 9.7 Alcohol use among upper secondary school students: How often have you been drunk?

40 37,1 37,1 35 In your lifetime 32 30 Over the last 30 days 25 % 20 17,6 18,6 15,3 15 13,1 10 7,2 7,4 7,4 5 1,5 0,3 0 0 5,4 Never 1-2 times 3-5 times 6-9 times 10-19 20-39 40 times or times times more

Source: Rannsóknir og greining 2000.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 77 Research Statistical information

Discussion comes up every now and then regarding the illegal use of drugs among students in upper secondary schools in Iceland. The above-specified survey also asked about the use of such substances. Figure 9.8 shows the use of hashish by upper secondary school students in the fall of 2000. A great majority of students (about 77%) have never tried hashish. This means that about 23% of students have tried hashish one or more times in their lives. About 3.6% of students seem to be somewhat regular users.

Figure 9.8. The use of hashish by upper secondary school students in the fall of 2000. 90 77,2 80 70 60 50 % 40 30 20 8,9 4,0 3,6 10 2,4 2,4 1,5 0 Never 1-2 times 3-5 times 6-9 times 10-19 times 20-39 times 40 times or more

Source: Rannsóknir og greining 2000.

Figure 9.9 shows the proportion of students in upper secondary schools in Iceland that have used several drugs at least once. It can be seen that hashish is the most common, with 23% of students saying they have tried it at least once. In second place are amphetamines, which about 9% of students have tried one or more times in their lives.

Figure 9.9. Proportion of upper secondary school students in the fall of 2000 having used specified substances at least once in their lives 25.0 22.8

20.0

15.0 % 8.9 10.0 5.7 5.0 5.0 3.7

0.0 Hashish Amphetamines Ecstasy tablets Cocaine Sniffing substances

Source: Rannsóknir og greining 2000.

78 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Research Statistical information

The survey also asked how much alcohol upper secondary school students had drunk the last time they drank. A summary of the students' answers to these questions is shown in Figures 9.10, 9.11 and 9.12.

Figure 9.10. Proportion of those drinking a specified amount of beer the last time they drank

25.0 23.2 20.0 19.4 20.0 17.0 15.0 % 10.3 10.1 10.0

5.0

0.0 Never drink Drank no beer Less than one 1-2 3-4 5 or more beer last time bottle/can bottles/cans bottles/cans bottles/cans

Source: Rannsóknir og greining 2000.

Most of those drinking beer the last time they drank had more than one bottle/can, and 23.2% had at least five bottles/cans.

Figure 9.11. Proportion of those drinking a specific amount of wine the last time they drank

45 39,8 40 34,8 35 30 25 % 20 15 11,8 8,2 10 3,5 5 1,9 0 Never drink Did not drink Less than a 1-2 glasses About half a About one wine wine last time glass bottle glass

Source: Rannsóknir og greining 2002.

According to these findings, drinking wine does not seem common among upper secondary school students since about 40% of them said they never drank wine, and nearly 35% had not drunk wine the last time they drank. It can also be seen that those drinking wine drank little at a time, and it can be inferred that this had been with food.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 79 Research Statistical information

Figure 9.12. Proportion of those drinking a specified volume of strong spirits when they last drank

25 22,5 19,4 19,6 20 17,4

15 11,8 % 9,3 10 5 0 Do not drink Did not drink Less than one 1-2 drinks 3-5 drinks 6 drinks or strong spirits strong spirits drink more last time

Source: Rannsóknir og greining 2000.

About 23% of students do not drink strong spirits, and about 19% of them did not drink strong spirits the last time they drank. On the other hand, it is noteworthy that about 29% of students said that they had drunk at least three drinks, and of these nearly 12% said they drank six or more strong drinks the last time they drank.

In the fall of 2001 IMG Gallup investigated alcohol and drug abuse in Iceland for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council. The survey sample was 4000 people, aged 18- 75.

Figure 9.13 Alcohol use among people aged 18 til 75 ára over the last 12 month.

38,3 40

30 26,7 20,6 % 20 8,7 10 2,7 3,1 0 4 times or 1-3 times in a 1-3 times in a Few times a 1 time during Never during more in a week month year the last 12 the last 12 week months months

Source: IMG Gallup/The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council

About 38% of respondents said they had consumed alcohol 1-3 times per month in the last 12 months before the survey was done. Slightly more said they had drunk it 1-3 times a week (nearly 27%), but of these, 10.4% said they used alcohol 2-3 times per week.

80 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Research Statistical information

Figure 9.14. Frequency of alcohol use in last 12 months by gender 30 27.3 27.1 Men 25 Women 18.8 19.5 20 23.5 16.5 % 15 13.5 13.2 9.5 10 9.1 3.6 8.2 5 7.6 2.5 0 2 or more About once 2-3 times About once Several Once in last Never in times per a week per month a month times per 12 months last 12 week year months

Source: IMG Gallup/The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council

Figure 9.14 shows alcohol consumption by gender. According to the figure, men drink more often than women, with almost 19% of men saying they drink twice a week or more often.

Figure 9.15. Number of drinks per occasion

70 65.5 60 50 40 % 30 26.5 20 10 4.9 3.3 0 1-3 4-6 7-9 10 or more drinks/cans/glasses drinks/cans/glasses drinks/cans/glasses drinks/cans/glasses

Source: IMG Gallup/The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council

People were also asked how much they drank each time, and the findings appear in Figure 9.15. By far the most people said they drank 1-3 drinks, glasses or small cans. Over 3% said they drank 10 or more drinks, glasses or small cans. This corresponds to about 9500 Icelanders drinking 10 or more drinks each time they drink. This question, on the other hand, does not tell the whole story since drinking the same volume of strong spirits or wine makes a great difference. More findings from this survey will be published later.

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 81 Töflu- og myndaskrá Tölulegar upplýsingar

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

Figure 1.1 3 Annual alcohol sales 1970-2002 per person, aged 15 and over, measured in litres of pure spirits

Figure 1.2 4 Annual alcohol sales per person, aged 15 and over, measured in litres of pure spirits, relative to the purchasing power of wages

Table 1.1 4 Annual alcohol sales, 1970-2002, per person, aged 15 and over

Figure 1.3 5 Annual alcohol sales, 1990-2000, per person, aged 15 and over, by type

Table 1.2 5 Annual alcohol sales, 1990-2002, per person, aged 15 and over, measured in litres of pure spirits

Figure 1.4 6 Annual alcohol sales, 1990-2000, per person, aged 15 and over. Percentage by type

Table 1.3 7 Alcohol sales in the Nordic countries, 1990-2001

Figure 1.5 Alcohol sales in the Nordic countries, 1990-2001 7

Figure 1.6 Average home expenditure for certain beverages per year, by residence, according to 8 the 1995 consumer survey of Statistics Iceland

Table 1.4 8 Average home expenditure for certain beverages per year, by residence, according to the consumer survey of Statistics Iceland

Figure 1.7 9 Number of liquor licences in Iceland, 1990-2001

Table 1.5 9 Number of liquor licences in Iceland, 1990-2002

Table 1.6 10 Number of retail liquor stores in Iceland in February 2002

Table 1.7 10 Number of State Alcohol and Tobacco Monopoly stores and liquor licences during the period 1990-2001

82 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Töflu- og myndaskrá Tölulegar upplýsingar

Table 1.8 11 Total number of liquor-serving establishments per 100,000, aged 15 and over, in the Nordic countries 1987-1998.

Figure 1.8 11 Total number of liquor-serving establishments per 100,000, aged 15 and over, in the Nordic countries 1987-1998.

Table 2.1 13 Number of rehabilitation facilities and beds for alcohol and drug abusers in August 2001

Table 2.2 14 Halfway houses 2001

Table 2.3 15 More detailed information about halfway houses in 2002

Table 2.4 16 Rehabilitation facilities under the auspices of the Government Agency for Child Protection 2001

Table 2.5 17 Beds and the number of children staying at the Government Agency for Child Protection's rehabilitation facilities

Table 2.6 17 Number of children staying at the Government Agency for Child Protection's rehabilitation facilities

Table 2.7 18 Total number of treatment beds under the auspices of the Government Agency for Child Protection and the number of treatment beds for alcohol and drug abuse

Table 2.8 18 Rehabilitation facilities earmarked for youths with alcohol and drug abuse problems

Figure 2.1 19 Number of bed days in the Studlar Treatment Ward

Table 2.9 19 Studlar Treatment Ward

Table 2.10 20 Closed ward at Studlar

Table 2.11 20 Proportion of children with alcohol and drug abuse problems vs. the total number of children at Studlar

Table 2.12 21 Number of individuals at Vogur

Table 2.13 21 Age distribution of patients in Vogur Hospital

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 83 Töflu- og myndaskrá Tölulegar upplýsingar

Figure 2.2 22 Age distribution of patients in Vogur Hospital

Table 2.14 22 Number of those aged 19 or under in Vogur Hospital and percentage breakdown by gender

Figure 2.3 23 Number of those under 20 in Vogur Hospital, 1993-2001

Table 2.15 23 Gender breakdown of patients in Vogur Hospital

Figure 2.4 23 Gender breakdown in Vogur Hospital, 1979 to 2001

Figure 2.5 24 Number of heavy users of cannabis and amphetamines at Vogur, 1997-2002

Figure 2.6 24 Proportion of heavy users of cannabis at Vogur who were also heavy users of amphetamines, 1996-2001.

Figure 2.7 25 Age distribution of heavy users of cannabis at Vogur, 2001, by gender

Figure 2.8 25 Age distribution of heavy users of amphetamines at Vogur, 2001, by gender

Figure 2.9 26 Number of heavy users of cocaine, heroin, LSD and ecstasy tablets at Vogur, 1998-2001

Figure 2.10 26 Number of those at Vogur, 1998-2000, having used cocaine, heroin, LSD and ecstasy tablets several times

Figure 2.11 27 Breakdown of intoxicant use by individuals at Vogur in 2001

Table 2.16 28 Abuse of tranquillisers in 1998, by gender and age

Figure 2.12 28 Use of addictive tranquillisers by patients at Vogur in 1998, by gender

Figure 2.13 29 Number of admissions to Árvellir rehabilitation facility

Figure 2.14 29 Ratio of genders at Árvellir rehabilitation facility from January 2000 to June 2001

Figure 2.15 30 Age distribution at Árvellir by gender from January 2000 to June 2001

84 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Töflu- og myndaskrá Tölulegar upplýsingar

Figure 2.16 30 Breakdown of youths at Árvellir by majority status

Figure 2.17 30 Age of those first seeking treatment at Árvellir from January 2000 to June 2001

Table 2.17 31 Hladgerdarkot 2000-2002: number of admissions, average admissions per month and average stay

Table 2.18 31 Hladgerdarkot 2000 and 2001: breakdown by gender

Table 2.19 32 Number of admissions for treatment at Byrgid from 1 September 1999 to 1 May 2001

Table 2.20 32 Gender division of individuals at Byrgid from 1 September 1999 to 1 May 2001

Table 2.21 32 Age distribution at Byrgid from 1 September 1999 to 1 May 2001

Table 2.22 33 Number of individuals being treated at Krýsuvík Association’s rehabilitation facility

Table 2.23 33 Age distribution at the Krýsuvík Association’s rehabilitation facility

Table 2.24 33 Average age and stay in months at the Krýsuvík Association's rehabilitation facility

Table 2.25 34 Number of admissions to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Wards 33A, 16 and 16D the University National Hospital

Figure 2.18 34 Number of admissions to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Wards 33A, 16 and 16D of the University National Hospital

Table 2.26 35 Age distribution of those seeking admission to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Wards 33A, 16 and 16D of the University National Hospital

Table 2.27 35 Average number in each age group of treatment wards at the University National Hospital

Figure 2.19 36 Number of those receiving treatment in the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Wards of the University National Hospital, aged 40 and over

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 85 Töflu- og myndaskrá Tölulegar upplýsingar

Figure 2.20 36 Total number of those seeking treatment in the wards 30A, 16 and 16D at the University National Hospital, broken down by gender

Figure 2.21 37 Ratio between men and women being treated in wards 33A, 16 and 16D at the University National Hospital

Table 3.1 39 Classification of deaths due to the use of alcohol and drugs, according to Causes of Death 1986-1995

Figure 3.1 39 Classification of deaths due to the use of alcohol and drugs, according to Causes of Death 1986-1995, by gender

Table 3.2 40 Fatal poisoning accidents due to the use of alcohol and drugs, 1986-1995

Figure 3.2 40 Fatal poisoning accidents due to the use of alcohol and drugs, 1986-1995, by gender

Table 3.3 41 Fatal accidents, other than poisoning, due to the use of alcohol and drugs, 1986-1995

Figure 3.3 41 Fatal accidents, other than poisoning, due to the use of alcohol and drugs, 1986-1995, by gender

Table 3.4 42 Age of those dying from the use of alcohol or drugs, 1986-1995

Figure 3.4 42 Age of those dying from the use of alcohol or drugs, 1986-1995

Table 3.5 43 Number of use-related suicides, 1986-1995, by gender

Figure 3.5 43 Number of use-related suicides, 1986-1995

Table 3.6 44 Use-related suicides vs. total suicides, 1986-1995

Figure 3.6 44 Use-related suicides vs. total suicides, 1986-1995 and gender breakdown of use-related suicides

Table 3.7 45 Deaths from diseases related to the use of alcohol and other intoxicants 1986-1995.

Table 3.8 45 Age distribution of people dying from diseases related to the use of alcohol and drugs 1986-1995.

86 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Töflu- og myndaskrá Tölulegar upplýsingar

Figure 3.7 46 Age distribution of people dying of diseases related to use, 1986-1995

Figure 3.8 46 Number of hepatitis cases per 100,000, 1996-2001, along with the number of needle addicts at Vogur

Table 4.1 48 Drug offences in the Reykjavik Police Precinct, 1996-2001

Figure 4.1 48 Drug offences in the Reykjavik Police Precinct, 1996-2001

Table 4.2 49 Drug offences in Iceland

Figure 4.2 49 Number of drug offences in Iceland, by offence category

Table 4.3 49 Age distribution of those arrested by the Reykjavik Police for drug offences, 1996-2000 (%)

Table 4.4 50 Number of convictions for drug offences

Figure 4.3 50 Number of convictions for drug offences

Table 4.5 51 Average number of drug-offence prisoners, 1981-1999

Table 4.6 51 Number of prison sentences for drug offences

Table 4.7 52 Number of prisoners receiving treatment during imprisonment for alcohol and drug abuse

Figure 4.4 52 Number of prisoners completing treatment for alcohol and/or drug abuse during imprisonment

Table 5.1 54 Drug offences in Iceland

Figure 5.1 54 Drug offences in Iceland, 1998-2001

Table 5.2 55 Drug offences in which Reykjavik Police were involved

Figure 5.2 55 Alcohol Act violations other than for public drunkenness, in Reykjavik, 1997-2000

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 87 Töflu- og myndaskrá Tölulegar upplýsingar

Table 5.3 56 Number of convictions for violations of the Alcohol Act and Customs Act

Table 5.4 56 Percentage of those jailed by police because of violations related to alcohol or drugs, vs. the total number of those jailed

Table 6.1 58 Suspicion of driving while under the influence, total number of violations and the number of violations per 10,000

Figure 6.1 58 Driving while under the influence, number of violations, 1996-2001

Table 6.2 59 Driving while under the influence: percentages by type of charge and gender

Figure 6.2 59 Drunken driving: percentages by gender of those charged

Table 6.3 60 Driving while under the influence: percentages by age of those charged

Figure 6.3 60 Drunken driving: percentages by age of those charged

Table 6.4 61 Percentages of drunken driving cases by severity of fine. The criterion for fine severity is the measured volume of alcohol in the blood.

Figure 6.4 61 Measured volume of alcohol in the blood. Percentages of drunken driving cases by severity of fine

Table 7.1 63 Traffic accidents related to drunken driving, 1990-1999

Figure 7.1 63 Number of traffic accidents attributable to drunken driving, 1992-1999

Table 7.2 64 Number of those injured and killed in traffic accidents caused by drunken driving

Table 7.3 64 Proportion (%) of those injured and killed in traffic accidents caused by drunken driving

Figure 7.2 65 Proportion (%) of those injured and killed in traffic accidents caused by drunken driving vs. the total number injured and killed in traffic accidents, 1993-1999

Table 7.4 65 Age distribution of drunken drivers in traffic accidents, 1995-1999

88 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 Töflu- og myndaskrá Tölulegar upplýsingar

Figure 7.3 66 Age distribution of drunken drivers causing traffic accidents (percentage)

Figure 7.4 66 Gender breakdown of drivers in accidents resulting in injury or death, where the cause of the accident was drunken driving

Table 7.5 67 Percentage of drunken driving accidents vs. the total number of accidents in the Nordic countries 1990-2000

Table 8.1 69 Emergency room admissions for rape

Figure 8.1 69 Emergency room admissions for rape

Figure 8.2 70 Age of rape victims in emergency rooms, 1993-2001

Figure 8.3 70 Number of prisoners in jail for sexual offences and other offences involving violence, 1995-1999.

Figure 8.4 71 Number of paroled sentences, 1995-1999

Figure 8.5 71 Number of fines, 1995-1999

Figure 9.1 74 Trend of alcohol use among 10th grade students 1995 to 2002

Figure 9.2 75 Proportion of students getting drunk one or more times in the 30 days preceding the survey

Figure 9.3 75 Percentage of 10th grade students using the following intoxicants one or more times in their lives

Figure 9.4 76 Percentage of 10th grade students, 1998-2002, using specified intoxicants three times or more in their lives

Figure 9.5 76 Lifetime instances of hashish use in the 10th grade

Figure 9.6 77 Use of alcohol by upper secondary school students in the fall of 2000

Figure 9.7 77 Use of alcohol by upper secondary school students: How often have you got drunk?

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 89 Töflu- og myndaskrá Tölulegar upplýsingar

Figure 9.8 78 Use of hashish by upper secondary school students in the fall of 2000

Figure 9.9 78 Proportion of upper secondary school students having used specified substances in the fall of 2000 at least once

Figure 9.10 79 Proportion of those drinking a specified amount of beer when they last drank

Figure 9.11 79 Proportion of those drinking a specified amount of wine when they last drank

Figure 9.12 80 Proportion of those drinking a specified amount of strong spirits when they last drank

Figure 9.13 80 Frequency of alcohol use the last 12 months in age groups from 18 to 75

Figure 9.14 81 Frequency of alcohol use the last 12 months, by gender

Figure 9.15 81 Number of drinks taken when drinking

90 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 References Statistical information

REFERENCES

Aldís Yngvadóttir, Árni Einarsson and Guðni R. Björnsson (1998). Áfengis- og fíkniefnamál á Íslandi: þróun og staða (Alcohol and Drug Affairs in Iceland: Trend and Status). Fræðslumiðstöð í fíknivörnum. Prentsmiðjan Oddi Reykjavík.
Alþingistíðindi (Parliamentary Record) 18; 1996-1997, þskj. 915-1011.
Áfengis- og vímuvarnaráð (The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council) (2003). Forvarnarsjóður umsóknir (Prevention Fund Applications); 8. áfangaheimili.
Ársskýrslur Áfengis- og tóbaksverslunar ríkissins (Annual Financial Statements of the Alcohol and Tobacco State Monopoly) 1990-2000.
Ársskýrslur Fangelsismálastofnunar ríkissins (Annual Financial Statements of the State Prison Administration) 1996-1999.
Ársskýrslur Lögreglustjórans í Reykjavík (Annual Financial Statements of the Reykjavik Chief of Police) 1997-2001. Forvarna- og fræðsludeild. (Prevention and Education Dept.)
Ársskýrslur Ríkislögreglustjóra (Annual Financial Statements of the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police) 1997-1998, 2000.
Ársskýrslur/ársrit SÁÁ (Annual Financial Statements of the Laymen's Society of Alcoholism in Iceland ) 1999-2001. Also at the is www.saa.is
Barnaverndarstofa (The Government Agency for Child Protection) (2000). Barnavernd á Íslandi: Skýrsla um starfsemi Barnaverndarstofu árin 1995-1999 og barnaverndanefnda á Íslandi árin 1996- 1999 (Child Protection in Iceland: Report of the Activities of the Government Agency for Child Protection, 1995-1999 and the child protection committees in Iceland, 1996-1999). Prentsmiðjan Oddi Reykjavík.
Barnavarnarstofa (The Government Agency for Child Protection) (2003). www.bvs.is
Bye, Elin K. (ritst.)(2002). Rusmidler i Norge 2002. Skýrsla um áfengis- og vímefnaneyslu í Noregi. (Report on the Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Norway) Statens institutt for rusmidelforskning.
Byrgið, kristilegt líknarfélag. Skýrsla vegna könnunar á félagslegum aðstæðum og árangri þeirra einstaklinga sem hafði komið til meðferðar í Byrgið á tímabilinu 01.10.1999 til 01.05.2001 (Report on the Survey of Social Conditions and Their Impact on the Individuals Seeking Treatment in Byrgid from 1 September 1999 to 1 May 2001).
Bryndís S. Guðmundsdóttir, uppeldisfræðingur hjá Barnaverndarstofu (educationalist at The Government Agency for Child Protection). Ýmsar viðbótarupplýsingar varðandi meðferðarheimili Barnaverndarstofu (Various Additional Information regarding the Rehabilitation Facilities of The Government Agency for Child Protection) (barst með tölvupósti 20.6.2001 og 12.10.2001) (e-mail received 20 June 2001 and 12 October 2001).

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 91 References Statistical information

Davíð Guðmundsson, forstöðumaður sambýlis SÁÁ við Miklubraut (Director of house on Miklabraut, operated by the Laymen's Society of Alcoholism in Iceland) (telephone conversation, summer of 2001).
Davíð Guðmundsson, forstöðumaður sambýlis SÁÁ við Eskihlíð (símaviðtal, sumar 2001) (Director of house on Eskihlíd, operated by the Laymen's Society of Alcoholism in Iceland) (telephone conversation, summer of 2001).
Eyrún Jónsdóttir, Chief nurse in ER for rape victims. Tölulegar upplýsingar (Statistics). (e-mail, 2001 and 2003)
Guðlaugur Sveinsson, forstöðumaður áfangaheimilisins Risið (símaviðtal, sumar 2001) (Director of halfway house Risid) (telephone conversation, summer of 2001).
Guðrún Þórisdóttir. Voveifleg dauðsföll tengd ávana- og fíkniefnum (Sudden death linked to habituating and narcotic drugs) 1986-1995. Rannsóknaverkefni. (Research) Rannsóknastofa í réttarlæknisfræði: Háskóli Íslands (University of Iceland Forensic Medicine Laboratory).
Gunnar Þorsteinsson, forstöðumaður áfangaheimilisins Krossgötur (símaviðtal, sumar 2001). (Director of halfway house Krossgötur (telephone conversation, summer of 2001)).
Guttormsson, Ulf (2001). Tölulegar upplýsingar. (Statistical information) Can: Sweden (e-mail, received 18 June 2001).
Götusmiðjan (2001). Tölfræðileg samantekt. (Statistical summary) (e-mail, received 27 October 2001)
Götusmiðjan (2002). Tölfræðileg samantekt. (Statistical summary) (e-mail, received 25 April 2003)
Statistics Iceland (2003). Statistics on www.hagstofa.is.
Heiðar Guðnason, forstöðumaður Samhjálpar (Director of Samhjálp). Tölulegar upplýsingar um meðferðarheimilið að Hlaðgerðakoti og stoðbýli Samhjálpar við Hverfisgötu. (Statistics on the Hladgerdakot rehabilitation facility) (e-mail received 24 October 2001)
Helga Rúna Pétursdóttir (2003) specialist at the Government Agency for Child Protection. Additional information on statistics from the agency.
IMG Gallup (2001). Áfengis- og vímuvarnaráð: Rannsókn á áfengis- og vímuefnaneyslu Íslendinga nóvember/desember 2001. (The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council: Research on alcohol and drug abuse in Iceland, November/December 2001)
Jóhannes Már Gunnarsson, forstöðumaður áfangaheimilisins Dyngjunar (símaviðtal, sumar 2001). (Director of halfway house Dyngjun (telephone conversation, summer of 2001).
Krýsuvíkursamtökin (2001). Axið 1.tbl. 6. árg. 1999 og Axið 1. tbl. 7. árg. 2000.
Lohiniva, R. J. B. L. (ritst.)(1999). Rusmidler i Norge 1999. Report on alcohol and drug abuse in Norway. Statens institutt for rusmidelforskning.
Lohiniva, R. J. B. L. (ritst.)(2000). Rusmidler i Norge 2000. Report on alcohol and drug abuse in Norway. Statens institutt for rusmidelforskning.

92 The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 References Statistical information

Lohiniva, R. J. B. L. (ritst.)(2001). Rusmidler i Norge 2001. Report on alcohol and drug abuse in Norway. Statens institutt for rusmidelforskning.
Møller, Lars (2001). Statistics. Sundhedsstyrelsen: Danmörk. (e-mail received 26 June 2001)
Óli Ágústsson, forstöðumaður gistiskýlisins Þingholtsstræti (símaviðtal vetur 2001). (Director of Thingholtsstræti Shelter (telephone conversation, summer 2001))
Rannsóknir og greining (2000). Grunnniðurstöður spurningarkönnunar sem lögð var fyrir nemendur í framhaldsskólum á Íslandi haustið 2000. (Basic findings from survey presented to upper secondary school students in Iceland in the fall of 2000)
Rannsóknir og greining (2002). Grunnniðurstöður vímuefnakönnunar meðal nemenda í 8.-10. bekkjum grunnskóla á Íslandi vorið 2002. (Basic findings from survey on drug use among compulsory school students in 8th-10th grades in Iceland in the spring of 2002.)
Rannveig Þórisdóttir (2003) Afbrotatölfræði: Skýrsla unnin fyrir ríkislögreglustjóra. (Criminology: Report prepared for the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police) Ríkislögreglustjórinn.
The Iceland Traffic Council. Statistics 1990-1999.
Information Division of the University National Hospital, Hringbraut. Statistics (e-mail received 15 February 2002).
Þorgerður Þorgilsdóttir, forstöðumaður sambýlis SÁÁ Fjólan. (símaviðtal, sumar 2001). (Director of the house Fjólan, operated by the Laymen's Society of Alcoholism in Iceland. (telephone conversation, summer 2001))

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 93