International - France

(France - transshipment of drugs) "France continues to be a major transshipment point for drugs moving through Europe. Given France‘s shared borders with trafficking conduits such as Spain, Italy, and Belgium, France is a natural distribution point for drugs moving toward North America from Europe and the Middle East. France‘s overseas territories‘ presence in the Caribbean, its proximity to North Africa, and its participation in the Schengen open border system, contribute to its desirability as a transit point for drugs, including drugs originating in South America. France‘s own large domestic market of cannabis users is attractive to traffickers as well. Specifically, in descending order, cannabis/hashish originating in Morocco, cocaine from South America, heroin originating in Afghanistan and transiting through Turkey, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and ecstasy (MDMA) originating in the Netherlands and Germany, all find their way to France."

France - Data

(2005 - France - adult drug use prevalence) "Between 1992 and 2005, general population surveys reported cannabis as the most widely used illicit substance. Lifetime prevalence rates for cannabis among adults aged 15 to 64 years increased from 21.9 % in 1999 to 26.2 % in 2002. The latest results (2005) among 15–64 year olds indicate a lifetime prevalence of cannabis use of 30.6 %. In the same age group, reported lifetime prevalence was 2.6 % for cocaine (2.2 % in 2002; 1.5 % in 1999) and 2 % for ecstasy (0.9 % both in 2002 and 1999). In 2005, survey results also showed that among younger adults (15–34 years old), the lifetime prevalence was 43.6 % for cannabis, followed by 3.7 % for ecstasy and 3.5 % for cocaine. For the same age group, the last year prevalence was reported to be 16.7 % for cannabis, 1.2 % for cocaine and 1 % for ecstasy. Among the younger adults, last month prevalence of cannabis use was 9.8 % whereas prevalence for other substances were all below 1 %."

(2008 - France - youth drug use prevalence) "According the latest ESCAPAD survey involving a nationwide sample conducted in 2008 among the youth aged 17 years, in 2008, 42.2 % had tried marijuana or hashish at least once in their lifetime (49.4 % in 2005). Lifetime prevalence was reported to be 3.2 % for cocaine (2.5 % in 2005), 2.7 % for amphetamines (2.2 % in 2005), 2.9 % for ecstasy, 1.1 % for heroin, 1.2 % for LSD. Among the same age group, results indicated 35.9 % for the last year prevalence of cannabis use (41.3 % in 2005) and 24.7 % for the last month prevalence of cannabis use (27.9 % in 2005). Lifetime prevalence of cannabis use was 46.3 % among males and 37.9 % among females."

(2006 - France - problem drug use prevalence) "A national problem drug use estimate was made in France in 2006, using several data sources. A combined estimate based on three figures was 230 000 with a confidence interval between 210 000 and 250 000 (5.9 per 1 000 inhabitants aged 15–64 years, ranging from 5.4 to 6.4). This estimate is significantly higher than the one obtained in 1999."

(2007 - France - primary drug for entering treatment) "In 2007, a total of 32 542 clients entered treatment, of which 9 702 were first-time clients. Data on all clients entering treatment suggest that 48.8 % of all clients reported cannabis as their primary drug, followed by 39.8 % for opioids and 6.9 % for cocaine. Among first-time treatment clients, 65.3 % were treated for cannabis, 26.4 % were treated for opioids and 5.3 % for cocaine. It is important to note that in France, specialised consultation centres for young users, mainly for cannabis users, were created in 2005."

(2006 - France - new HIV positive cases) "As regards new AIDS cases, and based on data collection between 2003 and 2006, each year in France between 6 000 and 7 000 people discover that they are HIV positive. Contamination through intravenous drug use accounts for only 2 % of these new infections. As regards the number of new AIDS cases among injecting drug users, this figure has continued to fall from the mid-1980s onwards. Although injecting drug user cases accounted for a quarter of the people diagnosed with AIDS in the mid 1980s, this share dropped to 8 % in 2006."

(2006 - France - drug-related deaths) "In 2006, 305 drug-related deaths were recorded (299 in 2005). Opioids remain the main cause of death in cases where only a single substance was detected, followed by deaths related to cocaine use."

(2007 - France - drug-related offenses) "In 2007, a total of 133 566 drug related offences were reported, out of which 82.8 % were cannabis related offences, followed by 7 % for heroin related offences and 5.4 % for cocaine related offences. In 2007, the number of cocaine seizures increased with a total of 4 051 seizures when compared to 2006 whereas, the quantity of cocaine seizures decreased with a total of 6 579 kg of seized cocaine. Furthermore, in 2007 a significant increase was reported in the number of herbal cannabis and cannabis resin seizures as compared to 2006. In 2007, there were a total of 11 381 herbal cannabis seizures and 66 500 of cannabis resin seizures."

(2007 - France - drug prices) "In 2007, the average price for herbal cannabis stabilised at EUR 7/gram, a slight increase on previous years. The average price of cannabis resin was around EUR 6/gram, in line with the previous years, and may decease to EUR 4 or even EUR 3 when bought in bulk. In 2007, the average price of brown heroin was about EUR 42/gram. In 2007, the average prices for cocaine remained stable compared to 2006, at EUR 60/gram."

(2001 - France - overdose deaths) "Deaths by overdose recorded by the police have fallen sharply since 1995. Their number fell by a factor of almost five between the maximum recorded in 1994 (564 deaths) and the lowest level, reached in 2001 (107 deaths). In 2000, 30% of deaths by overdose were caused by several substances being combined. This proportion was equal in 2001."

(2001 - France - drug arrests) "During the year 2001, just over 79,000 arrests for use or use with resale of narcotics were made in France. They represent 93% of all arrests for infringement of drug law (ILS). The remaining 7% are cases of trafficking.

"In 90% of arrests for use, cannabis is the substance in question. Far behind in second position comes heroin, followed by cocaine and ecstasy. The proportion of this last substance within total arrests has increased sharply over the last decade: 0.1 % in 1990 as against 1.7 % in 1996 and even 2.5 % in 2001."

(2000 - France - social costs of drugs) "Illicit drugs generate a social cost of 2 billion euros, or a per capita expenditure of 17 euros and 0.16% of GNP. Loss of productivity accounts for nearly 46% of this figure. The total amount for this proportion is 930 million euros, divided between 800 million euros for imprisonments for drug-related offences and 130 million for premature mortality. The cost of implementing the law takes second position (29.3%) and represents 596 million euros as a result of the fact that these drugs are illegal. Health care costs come next (11.4%), with 232 million euros divided between the costs of hospitalisations without surgical interventions (141 million euros) and urban medical practice (91 million euros). In fourth place (7.1%) come the research and prevention costs, totalling 144.5 million euros and, finally, the losses of tax and social security contributions (6.5%) totalling 132 million euros."

(1999 - France - lifetime drug use) "In 1999, 21.1% of individuals from 12 to 75 years old stated that they had already consumed an illegal substance in their lifetime and 7.6% over the last 12 months."

(1999 - France - cannabis use) "According to Adult 'heath barometer' surveys, cannabis consumption significantly increased between 1992 and 1999. Surveys conducted amongst young people, particularly in a school environment, confirmed this development, which is also reflected in the 1998 young people's 'health barometer' (refer the section on young people's consumption). All of these surveys tend to confirm the comments made on site: the usage of cannabis is becoming more commonplace."

(1999 - France - social costs of alcohol and tobacco) "Alcohol and tobacco consumption levels are by far those which cause the most serious extent of damage, either on the health or social level, or with regard to potential dependency."

(1998 - France - syringe exchange and methadone) "A limited number of alternative forms of low-threshold care are available to drug users in France. These include a syringe exchange programme, boutiques, sleep-ins and mobile facilities such as methadone buses, introduced in Paris in 1998 and more recently in Marseilles."

(1997 - France - new drug-related AIDS cases) "The number of new drug-related AIDS cases fell sharply in 1996 and 1997. However, the same was true of all cases irrespective of the cause of infection, and the trend is linked to the effectiveness of tritherapy treatments introduced in 1996. When it comes to assessing the impact of syringe accessibility, it is more relevant to observe trends in the rates of HIV positivity among intravenous drug users. This is not monitored statistically in France, unlike new cases of AIDS. However, a number of surveys have shown a decline in seroconversion and the prevalence of HIV in those who inject drugs."

(1997 - France - syringe exchange) "Sales of syringes to drug users by pharmacies were estimated at 13.8 million in 1997."

"Syringes are also distributed free under syringe exchange schemes. Some of these are agreed and financed by the directorate-general of health, and others are paid for in various ways. A survey of syringe exchange schemes estimated that they distributed 1.5 million in 1996; we do not have any figures for 1997, but they are probably fairly similar. The schemes accounted for only about 10% to 11% of total syringes distributed to drug users during the year."

France - Law and Policy

(France - drug laws and penalties) "Use or possession of illegal drugs is a criminal offence in France. The law itself does not distinguish between possession for personal use or for trafficking, nor by type of substance. However, the prosecutor will opt for a charge relating to use or traffic that is based on the quantity of the drug found and the context of the case, according to a circular to prosecutors in 2005. This circular stated that any legal action before the magistrates’ courts must remain exceptional and should be reserved for recidivists or users refusing to submit to alternative measures. An offender charged with personal use only faces a maximum prison sentence of one year and a fine of up to EUR 3 750, though prosecution may be waived. Alternatives to prosecution may include voluntary payment of a fine or non-remunerated work useful to society. Prosecutors may also prioritise treatment approaches for small-time offenders, both those related to personal drug use or other minor crimes. Drug users may also receive a caution, which may be accompanied by a request to contact social or health services obliging the person to undergo treatment or counselling. Since 2007, a non-addicted offender may have to pay up to EUR 450 for a compulsory drug awareness course. Drug trafficking is punishable with imprisonment of up to 10 years, or up to life in prison in case of particularly serious offences, and a fine of up to EUR 7 600 000."

(France - drug control agencies) "France‘s drug control agency, the Mission Interministerielle de la Lutte Contre la Drogue et la Toxicomanie (MILDT, or the Interministerial Mission for the Fight Against Drugs and Drug Addiction), is the focal point for French national drug control policy. Created in 1990, the MILDT (which received its current name in 1996) coordinates the 19 ministerial departments that have direct roles in establishing, implementing, and enforcing France‘s domestic and international drug control strategy. The MILDT is primarily a policy organ, but it cooperates closely with law enforcement officials."

(France - driving under the influence) "One of the most important parliamentary events of the period 2002-2003 is certainly the passing of the law No. 2003-87 of 3 February 2003 regarding driving under the influence of substances or plants classified as narcotics.

"This new law makes it an offence to drive under the influence of substances or plants classified as narcotics² and makes it obligatory to test all drivers involved in a fatal road traffic accident. Testing is routinely carried out if the driver is involved in a road traffic accident causing personal injury if there is any plausible reason to suspect that he has used narcotics. Furthermore, the Gendarmerie may carry out random testing of this kind on any diver."

(France - harm reduction) "In France, a law passed in August 2004 adopting the fiveyear public health policy plan incorporates the policy on harm reduction for drug users into the public health regulations, giving harm reduction an official definition and bringing it within the jurisdiction of the state."

(France - harm reduction) "Services relating to the reduction of risk and harm in France have been implemented to complement the specialised drug treatment centres. A network of 120 low-threshold agencies (CAARUD), which receive funding directly by the public health insurance, forms an important component of the response. Harm reduction services provided include: the open sale of syringes in pharmacies (since 1987), syringe exchange programmes (130 in 2006), 40 drop-in centres for drug users, emergency services and methadone buses in order to improve access to substitution treatment. Front-line and outreach teams improve the service provision to drug users further. Syringes are also available from 225 dispensing machines and pharmacies sell state-subsidised sterikits (latest available sterikit sales data: 6.6 million in 2003). Overall, the risk and harm reduction system covers most of the French territory, partly due to the sale of syringes through pharmacies. In 2007, 4.8 million syringes were distributed from specialist agencies, excluding sterikit and other non-subsidised pharmacy syringe sales."

(France - drug laws and penalties) "The Law of 1970 makes public or private use punishable by one year in prison and/or a fine, even if there has not been a perceptible negative impact upon those in the user's entourage. Another of the law's articles is out of the realm of practicality even if it attests to the ambiguous legal status of users (both delinquent and ill).

"Users may avoid proceedings by spontaneously seeking treatment. The provisions for anonymity guarantee that the Law will not ask for any explanations after treatment. It is also possible to escape proceedings if the prosecutor decides to close the matter or rules for a court-ordered treatment programme."

(France - polling on drug laws) "In polls before 1999, the majority view which appeared to be defined is that prosecutions and legal penalties should be imposed on consumers of heroin and of cocaine (85% in favour), of cannabis (70%) or of alcohol (approx. 50%). However, polling of such opinions is very sensitive to the way in which questions are put: three quarters of interviewees in this way, were not in favour of the idea that drug addicts should be punished. Likewise, if the person and his individual freedom are emphasised rather than the legal aspects of the question of utilisation, then one third of interviewees, as in 1999, will be induced to express their consent for the proposal according to which the prohibition of smoking cannabis is an infringement of the right for free utilisation of one's own body."

(France - drug law debate) "In France prohibition and punishment of simple drug use has provoked a strong debate for decades. In June 1999 a Directive of the Ministry of Justice asked prosecutors to prioritise treatment approaches for petty offenders both related to drug use or to other small crimes. Particularly where problematic drug users are concerned, the recommendation of the Directive is to apply therapeutic alternatives to prisons to the largest extent possible, while 'the imprisonment of drug users, not having committed other related offences, must be the last resort.' (citing the French Minister of Justice NOR JUS A 9900148C, June 17, 1999)