Alcohol and other drugs - landlaeknir.is · The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 2003 3....

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

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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

CCOONNTTEENNTTSS

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

Alcohol Sales Statistical information

AALLCCOOHHOOLL SSAALLEESS

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.

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

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

Litres of pure spirits

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.


Introduction Statistics

IINNTTRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN

The report "Alcohol and Other Intoxicants: Various Statistics", which came out first in May

2002, is now being published revised an improved. It contains diverse information giving an

idea of alcohol and drug use in Iceland as well as the harmfulness caused by such use from

various perspectives. Collection of the information on which the report is based fulfils one of

the statutorily defined tasks of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council, which is to

collect data on drugs; thus the council always has the most recent and tenable information on

the status of these matters.

First, the report contains information from Statistics Iceland on alcohol sales at the State

Alcohol and Tobacco Monopoly. Figures from Statistics Iceland on the turnover of taxed

alcohol are usually used as a criterion of total alcohol consumption in the country. Inquiries

were made in municipalities, which by law issue liquor licences, for information on the

number of liquor licences in Iceland.

Second, the report contains information on alcohol and drug offences obtained from the

National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police, which, along with information about other

offence categories, is found in the organisation's annual financial reports. The Reykjavik

Police Chief also publishes an annual report with statistical information on the status of

matters within the precinct.

Third, there is information on sentences for alcohol and drug offences, obtained from the

State Prison Administration, which maintains information on sentences for violations of the

penal code.

Fourth, the report contains information on the activities of rehabilitation facilities in

addition to statistical information about the groups availing themselves of their services.

There is also information in the report related to alcohol use from the Iceland Traffic

Council and the Iceland Road Accident Analysis Group.

The number of reported rapes where the use of alcohol and drugs is believed to be

involved is also worth mentioning; sexual offences are often related to the use of alcohol or

other intoxicants.

It proved difficult to obtain sufficient information on accidents related to the use of

alcohol and/or drugs, but data from the Pathological Research Laboratory are relied on.

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

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Council 20032


AALLCCOOHHOOLL SSAALLEESS

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.

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

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.



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.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

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


0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Purchasing power of wages

Litres

Source: Statistical Bureau of Iceland

Figure 1.3 (and Table 1.2) shows

how sales have changed from

1990 to 2002 by category of

alcohol. Beer sales declined

from 1990 to 1993 but have

been growing since then. The

sales of wine were constant but

have been increasing since 1996.

At the same time strong spirits

sales have decreased, but in

2002 the sale of spirits in the

form of wine exceeded those

from strong spirits for the first

time.

Table 1.1 Alcohol sales 1970-2000, measured in

litres of pure spirits per person, aged 15 and over.

Year Litres Year Litres Year Litres

1970 3,82 1981 4,36 1992 4,73

1971 4,08 1982 4,25 1993 4,45

1972 4,15 1983 4,39 1994 4,61

1973 4,13 1984 4,51 1995 4,76

1974 4,30 1985 4,41 1996 4,89

1975 4,04 1986 4,58 1997 5,09

1976 4,06 1987 4,73 1998 5,56

1977 4,32 1988 4,53 1999 5,91

1978 4,11 1989 5,52 2000 6,14

1979 4,46 1990 5,24 2001 6,32

1980 4,33 1991 5,14 2002 6,53

Source: Statistical Bureau of Iceland.



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

and older,

measured in litres of pure spirits.

0,00

1,00

2,00

3,00

4,00

5,00

6,00

7,00

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


Total consumption Strong spirits


Figure 1.4 shows the

percentage of total alcohol

sales for hard liquor, wine

and beer. Proportionally

the sales of wine during

this 12-year period

increased more than beer

sales, or by 120% versus

90%. This supports

notions that lifestyle is

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.

Table 1.2 Alcohol sales 1990-2000 per person, aged 15

and over, measured in litres of pure spirits.

Total Strong alcohol Wine Beer

1990 5,24 2,75 0,76 1,73

1991 5,14 2,76 0,80 1,58

1992 4,73 2,49 0,79 1,45

1993 4,45 2,20 0,76 1,49

1994 4,61 2,02 0,78 1,81

1995 4,76 1,93 0,71 2,02

1996 4,89 1,79 0,91 2,20

1997 5,09 1,72 0,97 2,41

1998 5,56 1,74 1,18 2,64

1999 5,91 1,76 1,25 2,89

2000 6,14 1,73 1,38 3,03

2001 6,32 1,68 1,52 3,12

2002 6,53 1,58 1,67 3,29




Figure 1.4. Annual alcohol 1990-2002 sales per person, aged

15 and older, measured in pure spirits.

Proportional distribution by type.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

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

Strong spirits Wine Beer




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

spirits.

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

18.0

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


Denmark Finland Faroe Islands Greenland Iceland Norway Sweden



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

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

Alcohol Coffee, tea and cocoa Soft drinks, juice and

water

ISK

Capital city area Other urban areas Rural areas Average


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

Coffee, 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



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.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

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

Number

Iceland

Reykjavik

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

The figures for 1998, 1999 and 2000

are estimated. The plan provides for an

average increase in numbers of 3.8%

per year. Despite repeated attempts,

information for 2001 and 2002 was not

obtained from several municipalities.

Table 1.5 Number of liquor licences

1990-2002.

Throughout

Year Iceland Reykjavík

1990 134 92

1991 152 103

1992 179 115

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 number of retail outlets for the State Alcohol and

Tobacco Monopoly of Iceland (ÁTVR) has increased

substantially in recent years, and in February 2003 there

were 41 (Table 1.6).

Table 1.7 shows the number of alcohol sales

establishments in several of the Nordic countries.

According to this source, there were 19 stores per 100,000

persons, aged 18 and older, in Iceland in 2002. By

comparison, these figures for Sweden showed that there

were five stores per 100,000, aged 18 and older in 2001. In

Iceland, a comparison on the basis of the legal age for

alcohol purchase, i.e., 20 and over, could be deemed more

reasonable, and this is the age used for the comparison

between Iceland and Sweden. The Alcohol Act of 1998

shifted the issue of liquor licences from the Ministry of

Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs to the municipalities.

ÁTVR’s goal has been for people throughout Iceland to

have similar access to alcohol.

Table 1.6 Number of

alcohol retail outlets in

Iceland Februar 2003.

Place Number

Reykjavík 6

Seltjarnarnes 1

Kópavogur 2

Garðabær 1

Hafnarfjörður 1

Keflavík 1

Grindavík 1

Selfoss 1

Hvolsvöllur 1

Vestmannaeyjar 1

Höfn 1

Fáskrúðsfjörður 1

Neskaupsstaður 1

Egilsstaðir 1

Seyðisfjörður 1

Vopnafjörður 1

Þórshöfn 1

Djúpivogur 1

Húsavík 1

Akureyri 1

Dalvík 1

Sigufjörður 1

Sauðárkrókur 1

Blönduós 1

Hvammstangi 1

Ísafjörður 1

Patreksfjörður 1

Búðardalur 1

Ólafsvík 1

Borgarnes 1

Akranes 1

Mosfellsbær 1

Stykkishólmur 1

Grundarfjörður 1

Grindavík 1

Total 41

Source: atvr.is

Table 1.7 Number of alcohol retail outlets in

some of the Nordic Countries 1993-2001.

Finland Norway Sweden Iceland

1993 248 110 368 22

1994 248 110 375 24

1995 251 112 384 24

1996 255 112 396 25

1997 255 114 396 26

1998 259 120 397 26

1999 268 130 403 32

2000 275 140 411 34

2001 284 156 416 39

Source: Rusmidler in Norway ´02



Table 1.8 shows how the number of

ÁTVR stores has increased over the

last decade. In 2001 there were

over twice as many as in 1990.

Also, the number of places having

liquor licences has increased

substantially. This means increased

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.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998

Number

Denmark Finland Norway Sweden Iceland

Table 1.8 Number of ÁTVR stores and

liquor licences, 1990-2002.

ÁTVR-verslanir Vínveitingaleyfi

1990 19 134

1993 22 235

1997 26 444

2001 38 512

2002 41 549

Source: ÁTVR and the municipalities in Iceland.


Treatment organisations Statistical information

TTRREEAATTMMEENNTT OORRGGAANNIISSAATTIIOONNSS

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.



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



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


Dyngjan Support centre for women, are operated b 15 ≥17


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



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).



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 years 8

medferdarstöd ríkisins emergency admission and follow-up treatement

for youths

Studlar-Closed Ward Diagnosis, 12-18 years 4

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


Torfastadir Long-term treatment 13-18 years 6

treatment centre for children and youths

Árbót/Berg Long-term treatment 12-18 years 10


Háholt Long-term treatment 15-18 years 6


Geldingalækur Long-term treatment 11-16 years 6


Jökuldalir Long-term treatment 12-18 years 6


Árvellir Long-term treatment 15-18 years 13


TOTAL 65

Source: The Government Agency for Child Protection 2003.



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

Geldingarlækur 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

Laugamýri 2

Sólheimar 5

Torfastadir 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

Varpholt/Laugaland 6 6 8 8 8 8

Hvítárbakki 6 6 8 6 6 6

Háholt 8 6 6 6

Árvellir 2 10 13 13

Jökuldalur 6 6

Total 29 36 36 48 58 61 57

Source: Homepage of the Government Agency for Child 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 16 18 14 20Bakkaflöt 9 11 13Geldingarlækur 6 9 7 8 9 9 8Laugamýri 2 2Sólheimar 8 4Torfastadir 8 11 9 10 8 9 11Varpholt/Laugaland 6 11 13 15 13 12Hvítárbakki 6 10 9 9 10Háholt 17 17 12 16Árvellir 12 53 57 55Jökuldalur 13 13 Total 41 52 54 86 142 136 132

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



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

rehabilitation facilities in 2002 were

specifically intended for children and youths

with problems due to the use of alcohol and

other intoxicants. The Háholt and

Hvítárbakki Rehabilitation facilities are not

specifically intended for children and youths

with problems involving intoxicants

although about 90-95% of them staying

there have such problems, in addition to

other kinds of problems.

Table 2.8 Rehabilitation centres that are

intended specifically fore youthes who

have alcohol and drug abuse problems.

Rehabilitatio Number of beds

Centre in 2002

Jökuldalur 6

Laugaland 8

Árvellir 13

Háholt 6

Hvítárbakki 6

Total 39

Source: The Government Agency for Child

Protection.



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).

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: Child Welfare in Iceland 1996-2000; The Government Agency for Child

Protection 2003.

Figure 2.1 Number of residence days at

the treatment ward at Studlar.

2.540

2.850 2.821 2.836

2.746

2.300

2.400

2.500

2.600

2.700

2.800

2.900

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Number



The number of bed days at

the Studlar Closed Ward

have increased somewhat in

the last few years (see Table

2.10). Between 1998 and

2001 there is nearly an 80%

increase. On average nearly

87 children have been

admitted to the Studlar Closed Ward per year over the last four years.

Table 2.11 shows the proportion

of those seeking treatment at

Studlar for abuse of alcohol and

drugs. Focusing on the average

for these three years, we see that

70% of girls and 64% of boys

who have sought assistance there

have problems with alcohol and

drug abuse.

Table 2.10 Closed ward at Studlar.

Number of Average number of Total number of

resicence days children per mo. children per yr.

1998 549 1,5 65

1999 709 1,9 68

2000 848 2,3 101

2001 988 2,7 113

Source: Child Welfare in Iceland 1996-2000.

Table 2.11 Proportion of childre who

have alcohol and drug abuse problems

vs. the total number of children at Studlar.

Girls (%) Boys (%)

1997 80 80

1998 93 60

1999 75 79

2000 33 44

2001 71 57

Source: Child Welfare in Iceland 1996-2000; www.bvs.is



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

per year remains fairly constant, or

between 1570 and 1843. On average,

1660 people seek treatment there for

alcohol and/or drug abuse. The number

of new recruits, who have never before

received treatment at Vogur, is in the

range of 550 to 680, which is about

38% of the total number of patients per

year.

The age distribution at Vogur

has been changing. This can

be seen in Table 2.13 (and in

Figure 2.2). In 1978-1979 the

biggest age group was 30-39,

and the average age was 39. In

1989 the average age

decreased to 36, but in 2001 it

had gone down to nearly 35.

Table 2.12 Number of individuals

at Vogur 1991-2002.

Number of individuals Number of first

being treated time admission

1991 1570 549

1992 1678 625

1993 1639 606

1994 1616 553

1995 1608 570

1996 1651 676

1997 1669 678

1998 1612 608

1999 1615 636

2000 1843 639

2001 1791 686

Source: Annual publicatoin of SÁÁ 1999-2000,

2000-2001 and 2001-2002.

Table 2.13 Age distribution at the Vogur Hosptial.

1978-1979 1989 1999 2000 2001

<20 ára 48 80 257 288 294

20-29 ára 387 471 442 507 457

30-39 ára 591 457 352 385 403

40-49 ára 495 365 317 365 348

50-59 ára 290 155 186 211 198

60-69 ára 83 45 44 66 64

>69 ára 11 11 17 21 27


2000-2001 and 2001-2002.



Figure 2.2 Age distribution at Vogur

1978 to 2002.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1978-1979 1989 1999 2000 2001

>69

60-69

50-59

40-49

30-39

20-29

<20

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

increase in the numbers of those

under 20. This development has

occurred steadily over the past

several years, as can be seen in

Table 2.14 (and in figure 2.3).

There are several possible reasons

for this. The number of those

having difficulties has probably

increased; the increased number

of treatment options is important

here; the problem is diagnosed

earlier, and consciousness and

recognition of the problem has

generally increased. It is noteworthy that the number of girls in this age group has increased in

recent years.

Table 2.14 Number of those aged 19 and

under at the Vogur Hospital and their

proportional division by gender.

<20 Girls (%) Boys (%)

1993 126 34,1 65,9

1994 142 42,3 57,7

1995 137 37,2 62,8

1996 180 38,3 62,7

1997 206 36,4 63,6

1998 227 31,3 68,7

1999 257 35,0 65,0

2000 288 35,1 64,9

2001 294 38,1 61,9

Average 206,3 36,4 63,7


2000-2001 and 2001-2002.



Figure 2.3 Number of those under 20 in the Vogur Hospital

1993-2001.

294288

257227

206180

137142126

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

No.

Men constituted, on average, about 75%

of those receiving treatment at Vogur for

the years 1979 to 1999. Table 2.15 (and in

figure 2.4) gives an overview of the

breakdown between genders at the Vogur

Hospital from 1979 until 2001. Up to

1999 the number of women increased

somewhat, but their proportion has stayed

at around 30%.

Even though the majority of those

coming to Vogur have a problem

with alcohol, the number of those

having mixed problems with

alcohol and drugs (polydueux) has

increased. The number of heavy

users of cannabis and

amphetamines, for example, has

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

Table 2.15 Gender breakdown at

the Vogur Hospital.

Men Women Proportion

1979 1.510 395 79,3/20,7

1989 1.181 412 74,1/25,9

1999 1.139 476 70,5/29,5

2000 1.330 513 70,0/30,0

2001 1.266 525 70,7/29,3

Average 1.285 464 72,9/27,1


2000-2001 and 2001-2002.

Figure 2.4 Gender breakdown in Vogur

1979-2001.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1979 1989 1999 2000 2001

Karlar Konur



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

number of major users of cannabis and

amphetamine at Vogur for the period 1997

to 2001. The number of heavy users of

cannabis and amphetamine has increased

by 23% during this period. In 2001 the

number of heavy users of amphetamines

decreased somewhat, although the number

of heavy users of cannabis continues to

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%

61% 63% 66%57%

46%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001


Figure 2.5 Number of major users

of cannabis and amphetamine in

Vogur 1997-2001.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Number

Major users of cannabis

Major users of amphetamine



Cannabis clearly seems to appeal

to young people, as can be seen in

Figure 2.7. About 70% of heavy

users of cannabis are 24 or

younger, and 41% of them are

under 20. There is a considerable

gender difference because many

more men than women are heavy

users of cannabis.


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.

The age distribution for women

is similar to that for heavy users

of cannabis; thus, most of the

women who are heavy users of

amphetamine are under 20, and

their numbers dwindle progressi-

vely with age. On the other hand,

the age group 20-24 is biggest for

men, and the second biggest

group is aged 25-29.

Source: SÁÁ Annual Report.

Figure 2.7 Age distribution of major

cannabis users at Vogur 2001 by gender.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

<20 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 >44

Years of age

Number

Women Men

Figure 2.8 Age distribution of major

amphetamine users at Vogur 2001.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

<20 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 >39

Years of age

Number

Women Men



The number of heavy users of

cocaine and ecstasy at Vogur

has also increased rapidly

between 1998 and 2000, cf. the

information in Figure 2.9. The

number of heavy users of

cocaine has nearly quadrupled

during these four years, and the

number of heavy users of

ecstasy has increased still more,

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

cocaine, LSD and ecstasy several

times also increased at Vogur

between 1998 and 2000. On the

other hand, in 2001 their numbers

somewhat decreased. However, at

the same time, the number of

those having used heroin several

times increased a little. This trend

can be seen in Figure 2.10.

Source: Annual SÁÁ Report

42

75

162 162

3 3 3 6 7 5 5 720

25

102

148

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Number

Cocaine Heroine LSD Ecstasy

Figure 2.9 Major users of cocaine,

herione, LSD and ecstasy tablets in th

Vogur Hospital 1998-2001.

1998 1999

2000 2001

Figure 2.10 Number of those at Vogur

1998-2002 who have used cocaine,

herione, LSD and scstasy tablets.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Cocaine Heroine LSD Ecstasy

Number

1998 1999 2000 2001



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.

279

134 112

315300

651

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Diagnosis of alcohol abuse Diagnosis of alcohol abuse

along with other things

Main diagnosis of other

intoxicants

Number

Women Men

Source: Annual SÁÁ Report



The use of habituating tranquillisers is

somewhat common in the Western world.

In 1998 321 individuals were diagnosed as

abusers of habituating tranquillisers. Table

2.16 shows the distribution by age and

gender of those diagnosed with such

problems.

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

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Main diagnosis

tranquillisers

Not used Used in last six

months

Abused with other

intoxicants

Women Men

Table 2.16 Number of those diagnosed as

abusers of habituating tanquillisers in

1998 by gender and age.

Age Men Women Total %

15-19 ára 19 18 37 16,3

20-29 ára 55 35 90 20,4

30-39 ára 54 39 93 25,8

40-49 ára 34 36 70 22,2

50-59 ára 17 7 24 13,0

>59 ára 6 1 7 8,6

Source: SÁÁ annual report 2001.



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

number of admissions per

month in 2000, 2001 and

2002. The total number of

admissions during the

year was 78 on average

during the period. The

average number of

admissions per month

increased during the

period from 5.4 to 8.4.

Source: Götusmidjan, statistical summary.

Of those coming to Árvellir for treatment during

this three-year period, 68% were boys, and 32%

were girls (see Figure 2.14). This ratio is similar

to the gender ratio at the Vogur Hospital, and the

gender ratio is in fact similar at other treatment

centres.


Figure 2.13 Number of admissions to the rehabilitation ventre at Árvellir.

7

4

2

4

2

9

4

7

54 4

5 54

11

3

54

13

7

7

76

4

9

8

99

8

9910

5

89 8

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Jan Feb Mar Apr Maí Jun Jul Aug Sep Okt Nov Des

Number

2000 2001 2002

Figure 2.14 Gender breakdown at the

rehabilitation centre at Árvöllum from Januar

2000 to Desember 2002.

Girls

32%

Boys

68%




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

treatment at Árvellir, 69%

are under 18. Of these,

about 83% of the girls and

62% of the boys are under

legal age.


Figure 2.17 shows a summary of the age

at which use began. The beginning age is

believed to affect use and the pattern of

the use later in life. Most of those in

treatment during the period being

considered debuted at age 12. One can see

from the figure that use begins, on

average, at around 12-13.


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

03

8 8

20

14

7

311 2

46

31 1 0

12

0

5

10

15

20

25

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Year of age

Number

Boys Girls

Figure 2.16 Division of youths at Árvellir according to whether they have reached their majority or not (Average numbers).

Boys

Boys

Girls

Girls

0

10

20

30

40

50

Independent Not independent

Number

Figure 2.17 Beginning age of use for those seeking treatment at

Árvellir 2000-2002.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Years of age

Number



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



Byrgid, a Christian charitable organisation,

operates a treatment and rehabilitation facility

in Rockville in the area of the Iceland

Defence Force in Midnesheidi. Table 2.19

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

at Byrgid, 74 were women, and 242

were men (see table 2.20). The

proportion of women in treatment is

therefore somewhat lower than at

other rehabilitation facilities.

Of those going to Byrgid, 62% were born between

1950 and 1970. Nearly one quarter were born after

1970 and 15% before 1950 (see table 2.21).

Table 2.19 Number of admissions for

treatment at Byrgid from 1 Oct. 1999

to 1 June 2001.

Admissions Number of individuals

665 316

Source: Byrgid, Christian charity

Table 2.20 Gender division of individuals in

Byrgid from 1 Oct. 1999 to 1 June 2001.

Women % Men %

74 23,0 242 77,0

Source: Byrgid, Christian charity

Table 2.21 Age distribution in

Byrgid from 1 Oct. 1999 to

1 June 2001.

Fæddir Fjöldi %

fyrir 1950 47 15,0

1950-1970 195 62,0

eftir 1970 74 23,0

Heimild: Byrgið, kristilegt líknarfélag.



The Krýsuvík Association operates a

rehabilitation facility for drug users requiring

continuing treatment after detoxification.

Detoxification does not go on there, and people

still using are not accepted. Table 2.22 shows the

number of those being treated at the association

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.

The average age of those seeking treatment

is similar both years: 35 in 1998 and 37 in

1999. The average length of stay was 3

months in 1998 (although the individual

staying longest was excluded since this

would have distorted the average

unreasonably), and the average length of

stay in 1999 was 3.4 months.

Table 2.22 Number of individuals

in treatment at hte rehabilitation

centre Krýsuvík Association.

1998 1999

47 66

Source: Axid 1st issue 6. yr. 1999

and Axid 1st issue 7. yr. 2000.

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



Table 2.24 Average age and average

time of stay in months at rehabilitation

centre Krýsuvík Assosiation.

Average age Average

time of stay

1998 35 3

1999 37 3,4





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.

Figure 2.18. Average number of admissions for alcohol and

drug abuse treatment

in Wards 33A, 16 and 16D at the National University

Hospital.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

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

Source: Information Division of National University Hospital on Hringbraut.

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.



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.



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 2.20 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

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

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

No.

Men Women


Figure 2.19 Number of those receiving treatment at the

Alcohol and drug Wards of the National University Hospital in

the ag groups <40

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

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

Number

20 years and under 21-30 years 31-40 years



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.

0,530,56

0,600,590,580,54

0,58

0,630,64

0,690,680,63

0,74

0,68

0,74

0,470,44

0,40,410,42

0,46

0,420,37

0,360,310,32

0,37

0,260,32

0,26

0,00

0,10

0,20

0,30

0,40

0,50

0,60

0,70

0,80

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

%

Men

Women



Substance use related deaths Statistical information

SSUUBBSSTTAANNCCEE UUSSEE RREELLAATTEEDD DDEEAATTHHSS

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.



Table 3.1 and Figure 3.1 show a

categorisation of deaths in some

way attributable to the use of

alcohol and/or other intoxicants

during the period 1986-1995.

During this period, 223 individuals

died in this way. The next

commonest cause of death from

substance use is suicide; 153

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.

70

172

122

5 82

24

51

31

2 3 4

94

223

153

7 11 6

0

50

100

150

200

250

Disease Accident Suicide Suspected

suicide

Homicide Other

Number

Men Women Total

Table 3.1 Breakdown of deaths due to use of

alcohol and other intoxicants according to

cause of death 1986-1995.

Men Women Total

Diseases 70 24 94

Accidents 172 51 223

Suicide 122 31 153

Suspicion of suicide 5 2 7

Manslaugther 8 3 11

Other 2 4 6

Total 379 115 494

Source: Gudrún Thórisdóttir. Sudden deaths related to

habituating and addictive substances 1986-1995.



Table 3.2 and Figure 3.2 provide a

summary of the number of

accidental poisonings resulting in

death over the period 1986-1995.

Over these 10 years, 81 individuals

died from poisoning. The most

common form of poisoning was

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.

19

14

1 1

4

11

0 0

24

1 1

13

18

32

23

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Alcohol Pharmaceuticals Alcohol and

drugs

Drugs Other

No.

Men Women Total

Table 3.2 Fatal poisoning sccidents due to use

alcohol and other intoxicants 1986-1995.

Men Women Total

Alcohol 19 4 23

Pharmaceuticals 14 18 32

Alcohol and drugs 13 11 24

Drugs 1 0 1

Other 1 0 1

Total 48 33 81





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 and Figure 3.3 show a

summary of the number of accidental

deaths, other than by poisoning, that

may thus be traced to substance use.

Traffic accidents are commonest in

this regard, with 37 people dying

during the period 1986-1995 in

traffic accidents attributable to the

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.

Table 3.3 Fatal accidents due to use of

alcohol and other intoxicants, other

than poisoning 1986-1995.

Men Women Total

Traffic accidents 32 5 37

Fire 9 1 10

Falls 25 6 31

Drowning 22 1 23

Suffocation 19 4 23

Hypothermia 14 1 15

Other 3 0 3

Total 124 18 142



Figure 3.3 Fatal accidents due to use of

alcohol and other intoxicants, other

than poisoning 1986-1995

by gender

32

9

25

22

19

14

3

5

1

6

1

4

10

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Traffic

accidents

Fire

Falls

Drowning

Suffocation

Hypothermia

Other

Number

Men Women



Table 3.4 (and Figure 3.4) provides

a summary of the ages of those

dying because of the use of alcohol

and other intoxicants in the period

1986-1995. Most of them were 50-

59 years old. Examining age

distribution by gender reveals it is

apparently commoner for young

men than young women to die

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.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

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

No.

Men

Women

Total

Table 3.4 Age of those dying as a result of

use of alcohol or other drugs 1986-1995.

Men Women Total

≤19 years 31 6 37

20-29 years 74 10 84

30-39 years 50 11 61

40-49 years 61 22 83

50-59 years 79 25 104

60-69 years 59 27 86

70-79 years 22 12 34

≥80 years 3 1 4

unknown age 0 1 1

Total 379 115 494





According to the information in

Table 3.5 (and Figure 3.5), the

average number of use-related

suicides is about 15 per year. Men

are a large majority there.

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

12

17

1413

13

6

17

9

1011

22

4

2333

1

4

7

15

13

14

11

1715

20

18

13

17

0

5

10

15

20

25

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

No.

Men Women Total

Table 3.5 Number of use-related suicides

1986-1995, by gender.

Men Women Total

1986 13 4 17

1987 6 7 13

1988 17 1 18

1989 12 3 15

1990 17 3 20

1991 14 3 17

1992 9 2 11

1993 10 4 14

1994 11 2 13

1995 13 2 15

Total 122 31 153





Table 3.6 shows the percentage of

use-related suicides to the total

number of suicides for the period

1986-1995. For this period, 50% of

suicides, on average, can be linked

to the use of alcohol and other

intoxicants.

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.

51,4

68,2

54,2

66,6

50,0

45,9

39,3

53,8

36,1

45,9

0,0

10,0

20,0

30,0

40,0

50,0

60,0

70,0

80,0

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

%

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

Table 3.6 Proportion of use-related suicides

versus total number of suicides 1986-1995.

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

1986 52,0 33,3 45,9

1987 27,3 50,0 36,1

1988 56,7 20,0 51,4

1989 75,0 50,0 68,2

1990 48,6 60,0 50,0

1991 48,3 37,5 45,9

1992 39,1 40,0 39,3

1993 52,6 57,1 53,8

1994 55,0 50,0 54,2

1995 72,2 40,0 66,6

Total 51,5 45,0 49,7





Alcohol and other intoxicants have a

biological impact on the body's

functioning and can cause numerous

diseases or influence their progress.

Table 3.7 is a summary of the deaths

attributable to the interaction of

substance use and diseases, 1986-

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

from diseases possibly related to use

of alcohol or other intoxicants. This

corresponds to nine people dying per

year because of use-related diseases.

Of these nine, seven were men, and

two were women.

Table 3.7 Deaths due to diseases

related to the use of alcohol and

other intoxicants 1986-1995.

Total number

Heart diseases 52

Pulmonary diseases 25

Brain diseases 5

Intestinal disease 10

Other diseases 4

Total 94

Source: Gudrún Thórisdóttir. Sudden deaths related

to habituating and addictive substances 1986-1995.

Table 3.8 Age distribution of people dying

from diseases related to the use of alcohol

and other intoxicants 1986-1995.

Men Women Total

30-39 year 0 1 1

40-49 year 10 2 12

50-59 year 28 8 36

60-69 year 22 10 32

70-79 year 8 4 12

80-89 year 1 0 1

Total 69 25 94

Source: Gudrún Thórisdóttir. Sudden deaths related

to habituating and addictive substances 1986-1995.



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

diseases sometimes

attributable to drug abuse

since it is transmitted among

addicts with unsterilised

needles. Figure 3.8 shows

the incidence of hepatitis per

100,000 by type of infection.

Since the period 1997-2000,

the incidence of hepatitis C

increased somewhat but

decreased again in 2001.

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

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Incidence per 100,000

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Fjöldi sprautufíkla

Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Needle-using addicts at Vogur

Source: Statistics Iceland; Annual SÁÁ Report 2001.

Figure 3.7 Age distribution of those dying

because of use-related diseases in the

period 1986-1995.

0

10

28

22

8

11

10

4

01 1

8

2

1212

36

32

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

30-39

year

40-49

year

50-59

year

60-69

year

70-79

year

80-89

year

Number

Men Women Total


Drug offences Statistical information

DDRRUUGG OOFFFFEENNCCEESS

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.



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.

27

63

357

2

4318

81

209

2

3226

97

219

8

38

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Distribution/sales Importation Possession/use Production Various drug

violations

Number

1999 2000 2001



Table 4.2 contains information

about the number of drug

offences in Iceland in 1998,

1999, 2000 and 2001. The

number of offences involving

importation of drugs increased

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

57 45

493

8

11069 74

692

7

11946

103

507

8

11763

117

593

14

124

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Distribution/sales Importation Possession/use Production Various drug

violations

Number

1998 1999 2000 2001

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

Table 4.2 Drug vialation in Iceland.

1998 1999 2000 2001

Distribution/sales 57 69 46 63

Importation 45 74 103 117

Possession/use 493 692 507 593

Production 8 7 8 14

Various drug offences 110 119 117 124

713 961 781 911

Source: National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police.



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.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Number

Prison sentence

Paroled sentence

Fine



Table 4.5 shows a summary of the average number

of prisoners convicted of drug offenses for the five-

year period 1981 til 2000. The number of prisoners

serving terms for drug violations has increased

during this period in keeping with the increased

number of drug convictions in the courts. Over the

five-year period 1981 to 1985 there were usually 25

drug offense prisonsers, while from 1996 to 2000

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

of those serving prison terms for drug

offences from 1992 to 2001. The

reasons for imprisonment are

categorised by the seriousness of

offences. Many were guilty of violating

more than one provision of the law, and

some classification procedure must

therefore be employed. An individual

committing both a serious offence

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.

Table 4.6 Number of imprisonments for

drug offences.

Drug vialation Proportion of

prisoners all prisoners (%)

1992 28 8,3

1993 24 7,9

1994 34 10,7

1995 51 13,8

1996 54 13,0

1997 57 18,3

1998 54 20,1

1999 55 23,5

2000 55 24,8

2001 75

Source: State Prison Administration.

Table 4.5 Average number

of drug violation prisoners

1981-2000.

Year Number

1981-85 25

1986-90 29

1991-95 32

1996-00 56

Average 35

Source: State Prison

Administration.



Table 4.7 shows the

number of prisoners

accepting an offer for

alcohol and drug

treatment while serving

their sentences as well as

the number completing

treat-ment. During these

11 years, 65,9% of those

accepting treatment

usually completed it.

Figure 4.4. Number of prisoners completing alcohol and drug abuse

treatment during their sentences

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

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

Number

Number of prisoners

Prisoners completing

treatment

Table 4.7 Number of prisoners accepting an offer for

alcohol and drug treatment while serving their sentences.

Number Number of prisoners Proportion of

of comleting of prisoners

prisoners treatment completing treatment

1990 13 11 84,6

1991 16 10 62,5

1992 13 7 53,8

1993 8 7 87,5

1994 14 12 85,7

1995 25 20 80,0

1996 41 32 78,0

1997 30 20 66,7

1998 18 13 68,0

1999 25 17 68,0

2000 15 3 20,0

2001 28 10 35,7

Source: Annual Report of the State Prison Administration.


Alcohol Act violations Statistical information

AALLCCOOHHOOLL AACCTT VVIIOOLLAATTIIOONNSS

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.



Table 5.1 (and Figure

5.1) shows a summary

of the number of Alco-

hol Act offences for all

of Iceland in 1998 to

2001. According to this,

there are, on average,

2445 violations per

year.

Figure 5.1. Offenses under the Alcohol Act in Iceland

1998-2001.

49 36 27 1342 44 29 28

1938 19322199

2257

352 257279298

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

1998 1999 2000 2001

Number

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.

Table 5.1 Alcohol Act offences in Iceland.

Drunkenness Various

Production Illegal sales in a Alcohol

/brewing of alcohol public place Act offences

1998 49 42 2199 298

1999 36 44 1938 279

2000 27 29 2257 352

2001 13 28 1932 257

Source: National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police.



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 16 31 15 30 38

TOTAL 1671 1576 1413 1800 1522


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.

80

140

123

74

108

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Number



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 shows a summary of the

number of convictions for

violations of the Alcohol and

Customs Acts in the period 1995-

1999. During the period, the

number of convictions decreased.

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

of the proportion of those

staying the night in a cell

with the Reykjavik Police

for reasons in some way

related to the use of alcohol

or other intoxicants.

Table 5.3 Number of convictions for offences

under the Alcohol and Costoms Act.

Probationary

sentences Imposing fines Total

1995 3 28 31

1996 1 25 26

1997 4 9 13

1998 0 19 19

1999 3 19 22

Source: Annual Report of the State Prison Administration.

Table 5.4 Percentage of the total number of those

in police custody for offences related to alcohol or

intoxicants.

1999 2000 2001

Jailing, at individual´s own request 10,7 16,9 13,6

Drugs, possession, use 5,5 3,8 3,3

Drunkenness in a public place 37,0 45,2 41,1

Drunken driving 3,0 2,0 2,8

Source: Reykjavik Police.


Drunken driving Statistical information

DDRRUUNNKKEENN DDRRIIVVIINNGG

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.



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.

8621,018 937

1,381

939

2,081

2,482

1,9592,111

1,851

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

No.

Total number of violations within Reykjavik Police Precinct

Total number of violations in Iceland



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


1996 1997* 1998 1999 2000 2001

76.7

23.3

75.0

25.0

78.6

21.4

79.8

20.2

79.9

20.1

77.4

22.6

0

20

40

60

80

100

%

Figure 6.2. Driving while under the influence, proportion of

citations by gender.

%Men %Women



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.


1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

2.9

48.0

23.5

14.2

7.4

3.9

3.7

47.6

14.6

17.7

12.8

3.7

1.4

51.4

22.1

13.9

8.2

2.9

5.5

50.6

17.0

14.6

8.9

3.4

3.5

49.3

19.8

14.6

8.1

4.6

3.7

46.9

19.9

17.6

7.6

4.3

0

20

40

60

80

100

%

Figure 6.3. Proportion of citations by age.

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



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


1998 1999 2000 2001

9,2

5,9

9,1

9,1

12,8

5,8

48,3

9,1

7,1

8,7

9,6

12,3

5,1

48,1

14,6

8,3

10,3

8,6

11,9

5,1

41,1

15,7

5,9

10,3

8,9

13

4,9

41,3

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

%

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

degree of fine.

Under minimum 1st degree fine 2nd degree fine 3rd degree fine

4th degree fine 5th degree fine 6th degree fine


Accidents and deaths due to drunken driving Statistical information

AACCCCIIDDEENNTTSS AANNDD DDEEAATTHHSS DDUUEE TTOO DDRRUUNNKKEENNDDRRIIVVIINNGG

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.



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.

0

50

100

150

200

250

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Number

Number of accidents without injury attributable to intoxication

Number of accidents with injury attributable to intoxication

Total number of accidents attributable to intoxication



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 2 1 6 1 1 4 3

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




1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

12

14

4

810

5

25

7 5

10

8

57

7

5

15

8

4

10

7

4

0

5

10

15

20

25

%

Figure 7.2. Proportion (%) of the total number injured and dead

in traffic accidents, where drunken driving caused the accident

1993-1999.

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 4 7 3 5 3 6 3 5 0 0

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 4 7 2 3 2 4 2 3 2 3


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.



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.

42

49

42

49

39

46

41

10

15 16

12

16 1517

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Number

Men Women

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

%

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Figure 7.3 Age distribution of those causing traffic accidents

while driving undar the influence of alcohol (%).

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



According to Table 7.5, drunken

driving is generally the cause of

about 7% of traffic accidents in

Iceland. In Denmark, drunken

driving is the cause of 15.6% of

traffic accidents, which is the

highest percentage in the Nordic

countries. This is possibly

explained by the fact that Danes

drink more than people in other

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.

Table 7.5 Percentage (%) of drunken accidents of

al traffic accidents in Nordic countries 1990-2000.

Iceland Denmark Sweden Norway

1990 9 17 5 7

1991 6 17 5 9

1992 5 17 5 8

1993 5 16 4 9

1994 6 16 4 7

1995 5 15 3

1996 5 15 3

1997 5 16 3

1998 5 15 3

1999 5 12 3

Sources: Iceland: the Iceland Traffic Council;

Denmark: Møller, Lars; Sweden: Gottormsson, Ulf;

Norway: Lohiniva, R. J. B. L.


Sexual violence Statistical information

SSEEXXUUAALL VVIIOOLLEENNCCEE

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



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.

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

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Emergency

admissions

Number in

alcoholic

stupor

Number

waking up

during

incident

Possible

drugging

More than

one

perpetrator

Number of

complaints

Number

1999 2000 2001 2002

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.

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 12 3 9 9

Possible drugging 5 5

More than one rapist 10 10 16 17

Number of cases charged 47 34 53 57

Source: Emergency Ward admissions for rape.



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.

Source: Emergency Ward for Rape

Figure 8.3 shows a summary of the

number of individuals in prison for crimes

of violence and sexual offences, 1995-

1999. It is conceivable that some people

recorded under offences involving

violence are also serving time because of

sexual offences since some instances

involve multiple convictions.


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.

Figure 8.2 Age of victims at Emergency Ward

for Rape 1993-2001.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Number

12-15 ára 16-18 years 19-25 years

26-35 years 36-45 years 46-55 years

<55 years

Figure 8.3 Reasons for

imprisonment in 1995-2002.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Number

Sexual violence other violence



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

judicial system conceivably

reduces the victims' interest in

filing complaints about offences

because there is no assurance

that they will go all the way

through the system. It is

noteworthy that despite

increased discussion of growing

violence in the last few years,

the number of those in prison for

offences involving violence and sexual offences has decreased.

Figure 8.5 shows a summary

of the number of those who

have been fined or convicted

and fined for sexual offences

and offences involving

violence. Convictions for

sexual offences are rare, but

the number of such convictions

for offences involving violence

increased somewhat between

1997 and 1998.


Figure 8.4 Number of probationary

sentences 1995-2002.

614 10 10 7

91

123

76

6566

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Number

Sexual violence

Another violence

Figure 8.5 Number of sentences for fines

1995-2002.

1 10

31

3032

1617

22

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Number

Sexual violence

Another violance


Research Statistical information

RREESSEEAARRCCHH

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



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.



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.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Have tasted alcohol in there lifetime

Have been drunk sometime in there lifetime

Have been drunk sometime over the last 30 days

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

8

22

63

18

57

7

16

57

6

15

52

6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

8th grade 9th grade 10th grade

%

1998 2000 2001 2002




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

111112

15

17

13

877

1112

8

10

35

7

4 4 4 4

2221

32

2

0

3

6

9

12

15

18

21

24

1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

%

Hashish

Sniffing substances (e.g., glue)

Amphetamines

Ecstasy tablets


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.




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).


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

Figure 9.4 Proportion of students in 10th grade 1998-2002

who have used the following drugs at least 3 times

in there lifetime.

66

4

2 23

11

1

2

1

3

7 7

4

21

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Hashish Sniffing substances Amphetamine Ecstasy

%

1998 2000 2001 2002

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

17

1211 1111

67 7

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

1998 2000 2001 2002

%

1 time or more 3 times or more



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.


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?

17,6

7,2 7,4

32

15,313,1

7,4

00,31,55,4

18,6

37,137,1

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Never 1-2 times 3-5 times 6-9 times 10-19

times

20-39

times

40 times or

more

%

In your lifetime

Over the last 30 days

Figure 9.6 Alcohol use among upper secondary school

students in the fall 2000.

15,0

46,7

9,25,8 6,0

6,1

11,2

0,81,34,9

10,9

25,3

33,1

23,7

0,0

5,0

10,0

15,0

20,0

25,0

30,0

35,0

40,0

45,0

50,0

Never 1-2 times 3-5 times 6-9 times 10-19

times

20-39

times

40 times or

more

%

Lifetime use Use in the last 30 days



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 9.9 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 lives22.8

8.9

3.75.7 5.0

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Hashish Amphetamines Ecstasy tablets Cocaine Sniffing

substances

%


Figure 9.8. The use of hashish by upper secondary school

students in the fall of 2000.

77,2

8,94,0 3,6

2,4 2,4 1,50

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Never 1-2 times 3-5 times 6-9 times 10-19 times 20-39 times 40 times or

more

%



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

17.0

10.3 10.1

20.0 19.4

23.2

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Never drink

beer

Drank no beer

last time

Less than one

bottle/can

1-2

bottles/cans

3-4

bottles/cans

5 or more

bottles/cans

%


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

39,834,8

8,211,8

3,5 1,9

05

10

15202530

354045

Never drink

wine

Did not drink

wine last time

Less than a

glass

1-2 glasses About half a

bottle

About one

glass

%


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.



Figure 9.12. Proportion of those drinking a specified volume of

strong spirits when they last drank

22,519,4

9,3

19,617,4

11,8

0

5

10

15

20

25

Do not drink

strong spirits

Did not drink

strong spirits

last time

Less than one

drink

1-2 drinks 3-5 drinks 6 drinks or

more

%


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.

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.

Figure 9.13 Alcohol use among people aged 18 til 75 ára over

the last 12 month.

2,7

26,7

38,3

20,6

3,1

8,7

0

10

20

30

40

4 times or

more in a

week

1-3 times in a

week

1-3 times in a

month

Few times a

year

1 time during

the last 12

months

Never during

the last 12

months

%



Figure 9.14. Frequency of alcohol use in last 12 months

by gender

13.2

2.5

9.1

13.5

9.5

27.1

19.518.8 23.5

7.6

27.3

16.5

3.6 8.2

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

2 or more

times per

week

About once

a week

2-3 times

per month

About once

a month

Several

times per

year

Once in last

12 months

Never in

last 12

months

%

Men

Women


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

65.5

26.5

4.9 3.3

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1-3

drinks/cans/glasses

4-6

drinks/cans/glasses

7-9

drinks/cans/glasses

10 or more

drinks/cans/glasses

%


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.


Töflu- og myndaskrá Tölulegar upplýsingar

LLIISSTT OOFF TTAABBLLEESS AANNDD FFIIGGUURREESS

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 8the 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



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



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



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



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.



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



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



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?



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


References Statistical information

RREEFFEERREENNCCEESS

� 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).



� 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.







� 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))


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