The profile of the typical drug user in Israel is: male, aged 25-34, unmarried, secular, army veteran, parents born in Israel or in western Europe or the U.S. The survey found that 25,000 Israelis are addicted.
The findings are based on a poll of no fewer than 12,000 people aged 12-40.
Despite the numbers, Chaim Messing, the head of the Authority, reported a "light at the end of the tunnel," in that the "increase in drug use in Israel has been stopped."
On the other hand, usage of legal volatile substances among youths has more than doubled since four years ago, from 7.4% to 15.8%. Among adults, the increase was from 4.9% to 7.1%.
"The root of the problem," Messing said, "is the general public atmosphere that takes too lightly the problem of drug usage, especially of marijuana and hashish. The youth is flooded with confusing double messages and half-truths, which are more dangerous than outright lies."
In this connection, the Authority's site features a biting article about parents and friends who tell youth that "marijuana is nothing, it's just a plant, that alcohol and tobacco are more dangerous... and about 'freedom of expression,' and the right of a person to his own body, and personal rights..."
Messing said, "A society that wants to survive must put a mark of shame on drug dealers, and work towards firm and clear enforcement of drug laws. At the same time, appropriate treatment must be enabled for all victims of drugs, including forced treatment and relevant treatment frameworks of all sectors, including immigrants, Bedouin, women, and others."
The findings are based on a poll of no fewer than 12,000 people aged 12-40.
Despite the numbers, Chaim Messing, the head of the Authority, reported a "light at the end of the tunnel," in that the "increase in drug use in Israel has been stopped."
On the other hand, usage of legal volatile substances among youths has more than doubled since four years ago, from 7.4% to 15.8%. Among adults, the increase was from 4.9% to 7.1%.
"The root of the problem," Messing said, "is the general public atmosphere that takes too lightly the problem of drug usage, especially of marijuana and hashish. The youth is flooded with confusing double messages and half-truths, which are more dangerous than outright lies."
In this connection, the Authority's site features a biting article about parents and friends who tell youth that "marijuana is nothing, it's just a plant, that alcohol and tobacco are more dangerous... and about 'freedom of expression,' and the right of a person to his own body, and personal rights..."
Messing said, "A society that wants to survive must put a mark of shame on drug dealers, and work towards firm and clear enforcement of drug laws. At the same time, appropriate treatment must be enabled for all victims of drugs, including forced treatment and relevant treatment frameworks of all sectors, including immigrants, Bedouin, women, and others."