Armenia reports an increase in officially registered drug user rates

The number of drug users has increased in Armenia over the past few years. Petros Semerjyan, the chief narcologist of the Armenian Health Ministry and General Director of the Drug Abuse Clinic presented the following data:

• A total of 6 010 drug users were officially registered in Armenia in 2016;
• In 2017, the number of drug users was 6 544.

“It should be noted that this is only official data, while unofficially, the number of those who have tried narcotics at least once in their life has reached 30 000 in Armenia. Those people are also considered to be drug addicts,” said Semerjyan.

In his words, the country has seen a considerable growth in drug addiction rates. This tendency has been observed not only in Armenia, but also worldwide.

The majority of drug addicts in Armenia use marijuana (cannabis).

The 2017 statistics on drug use in Armenia are as follows:

• The number of marijuana users – 4 064 people;
• Opium users – 2476 people;
• Cocaine users – 3 people.

Nearly one-third of drug addicts are aged 19 to 27. Drug use is less prevalent among those aged 16-17.

Drug use is more widespread among men in Armenia. In 2016 the number of female drug users was 95, and 105 in 2017.