VZCZCXRO7422
RR RUEHIK
DE RUEHVI #1448/01 3171328
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131328Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3586
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 VIENNA 001448 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR KCRM AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA 2009-2010 INCSR PART I 
 
REF: STATE 97228 
 
VIENNA 00001448  001.2 OF 003 
 
 
¶I.  Summary. 
 
Austria is primarily a transit country for illicit drugs; it is not 
a drug-producing country.  Experts see no change in the patterns of 
illegal trade of narcotic substances in 2009, except for precursor 
substances, where since 2007 Austria has served as a depot country 
for interim storage.  Foreign criminal groups from former 
Soviet-bloc countries, Turkey, West Africa, and Central and South 
America dominate the organized drug trafficking scene in the 
country.  Austria's location makes it an attractive transit region 
for criminal groups.  Production, cultivation, and trafficking by 
Austrian nationals remain insignificant.  Drug consumption in 
Austria is well below average west European levels, and authorities 
do not consider it a severe problem.  However, they see a trend 
toward more high-risk drugs.  The number of drug users is estimated 
at between 22,000 and 33,000, but the number of drug-related deaths 
is decreasing (169 for 2008, compared to 175 in 2007).  The Austrian 
government continued efforts to stiffen anti-doping legislation with 
a view to eradicating a doping network active during the past few 
years.  Measures include draft legislation to criminalize doping in 
sports.  Cooperation with U.S. authorities continued to be excellent 
during 2009.  International cooperation led to significant seizures, 
frequently involving cooperation among multiple countries.  In 2009, 
Austria continued its efforts to intensify regional police 
cooperation, particularly in the Balkans.  Austria also continued 
its focus on providing police training to countries in Central Asia. 
 Austria is the seat of the United Nations Office for Drugs and 
Crime (UNODC) and has been a major donor for several years.  Austria 
has been a party to the 1971 and 1988 UN drug conventions since 
¶1997. 
 
II. Status of Country. 
 
There was no significant increase in the number of drug users in 
Austria during the period of January-October 2009.  However, the 
past decade saw a rise in the use of cannabis from 5 percent in 1993 
to 15 percent in 2008, and of ecstasy and amphetamines, now at 4 
percent.  A 2007 estimate put the number of individuals using 
problematic drugs (mostly poly-toxic substances plus opiates) 
between 22,000 and 33,000.  Austria counted 169 drug-related deaths 
in 2008, compared to 175 in the previous year.  Some critics argue 
the downward trend could be a statistical result of the reduced 
number of autopsies performed.  The number of deaths from mixed 
intoxication continues to rise as drug users consume more high-risk 
substances.  According to police records, total violations of the 
Austrian Narcotics Act decreased in 2008 and 2009.  The latest 
prosecution statistics (for 2008) show 20,043 charges, a drop of 17 
percent from the previous year's total.  Of these charges, 961 
involved psychotropic substances and 19,082 involved narcotic drugs. 
 Two offenses involved precursors.  Ninety percent of the charges 
were misdemeanors.  Amphetamines and derivatives ("Ecstasy" pills) 
are predominantly smuggled in from the Netherlands via Germany, and 
Austria increasingly serves as a transit country for onward 
smuggling to Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. 
 
According to a survey commissioned by the Health Ministry, 
approximately one-fifth of respondents admitted to the consumption 
of an illegal substance at some time during their lives.  Most 
respondents cited cannabis, with "Ecstasy" and amphetamines in 
second and third place respectively.  Among young adults from 19 to 
29, about 34 percent admit to "some experience" with cannabis at 
least once in their lifetime.  According to the study, 2-4 percent 
of this age group had already used cocaine, amphetamines, and 
"Ecstasy," while 3 percent had experience with biogenetic drugs. 
 
III. Country Action against Drugs in 2009. 
Policy Initiatives.  Following a series of high-profile doping cases 
among Austrian athletes - particularly the admission of doping by 
Austrian cyclist Bernhard Kohl shortly after winning 3rd place in 
the 2008 Tour de France, the Austrian government moved to tighten 
anti-doping legislation that year.  The law also made manipulation 
of blood plasma for athletes, allegedly conducted by a Vienna 
company until 2006, a criminal offense.  A proposed amendment which 
was still under review by parliament in Fall 2009, would punish 
athletes caught doping with prison terms of up to 5 years. 
 
Statistical data suggest that Austrians' attitudes toward drug use 
have become less liberal since 2000.  Public opinion has turned 
against the call to legalize hashish.  One exception to this trend 
is the approval of distribution of sterile syringes to addicts. 
Rising crime figures in 2009, and a public perception that 
foreigners commit most drug-related crime, are cited as possible 
explanations for this change in public attitude. 
 
Against this background, the Austrian government reinforced and 
expanded its no-tolerance policy for drug traffickers, while 
upholding its traditional "therapy before punishment" policy for 
non-dealing offenders through adjustments of its legal code. 
 
In an effort to implement the European Framework Decision, Austria 
amended its Narcotics Substances Act (SMG) in 2008.  An amendment 
 
VIENNA 00001448  002.2 OF 003 
 
 
regulating provisions regarding trafficking and handling of narcotic 
substances and precursor substances, as well as the narcotic drugs 
data registry, went into effect on January 1, 2009.  A 2005 
amendment allows certain types of surveillance of illegal drug 
behavior, by permitting the installation of cameras in high-crime 
public areas.  However, critics argue that this only moves the drug 
scene to other areas.  Another law provides for the establishment of 
a "protection zone" around schools and retirement centers, in which 
police may ban suspected drug dealers for up to 30  days.  Austrian 
authorities continue to demand stricter EU-wide regulations 
regarding the internet trade of illegal substances such as "spice." 
 
 
Vienna is the seat of the UN's drug assistance agency, the United 
Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC).  Austria contributed 
550,000 EUR (825,000 USD) to this organization in 2009. 
Additionally, Austria pledged 300,000 EUR (450,000 USD) for drug 
interdiction in the ECOWAS region, specifically for capacity 
building in Mali.  Overall, Austria spent about 1 million EUR (1.5 
million USD) for drug-related projects.  In Afghanistan, Austria 
engaged in capacity building with regard to criminal law and 
criminal justice.  Austria has been working with the UNODC and the 
EU to establish more effective border control checkpoints along the 
Afghan-Iranian border to prevent drug trafficking, particularly in 
opiates.  Within the UNODC, Austria also participates in crop 
monitoring and alternative development plans in Peru, Bolivia, and 
Columbia.  Austria values the "vital role" played by foreign liaison 
drug enforcement officers accredited in Austria, as well as by the 
network of Austrian liaison personnel stationed in critical 
countries abroad. 
 
During its last EU presidency (January-July 2006), Austria initiated 
the EU's "Partnership for Security," with over fifty countries and 
organizations, including the U.S. and Russia, as participants.  The 
Partnership reflected Austria's strong, year-long focus on the 
Balkans.  One element of this program is the "Police Cooperation 
Convention for Southeastern Europe," which Austria co-signed. 
 
In 2009, Austria maintained its lead role among EU countries within 
the Central Asian Border Security Initiative (CABSI).  Austria 
participated in the 8th meeting in Tashkent October 1-3, 2009 where 
members discussed border security and cross-border cooperation in 
the region. 
 
Law Enforcement Efforts.  According to seizure statistics for 2008 
(the latest figures available), a total black market value of 24.8 
million EUR (37.2 million USD) was seized.  Seizure amounts dropped 
in almost all categories (e.g. -31 percent for cannabis, -11 for 
heroin).  The amount of LSD seized was 78 percent lower than in 
¶2007.  The Interior Ministry's 2008 drug report states that 
Austria's Precursor Monitoring Unit dealt with 247 cases in relation 
to precursors and clandestine drug laboratories-a noticeable 
increase of 19.9 percent from the 206 cases in the previous year. 
In 2008, three illegal drug laboratories were raided in Austria, 
producing a relatively small seizure of synthetic methamphetamines. 
The estimated street value of illicit drugs remained largely stable 
throughout 2008 and 2009.  One gram of cannabis sold for 10 EUR (14 
USD); one gram of heroin for 85 EUR (120 USD); and one gram of 
cocaine for 80 Euros (112 USD). Amphetamines sold for 25 EUR (35 
USD) per gram and one LSD trip for 35 EUR (49 USD). 
 
Corruption.  Austria has been a party to the OECD anti-bribery 
convention since 1999 and to the UN Corruption Convention since 
January 2006.  The GOA's public corruption laws recognize and punish 
the abuse of power by a public official.  An amendment which went 
into effect on January 1, 2008 substantially increased penalties for 
bribery and abuse of office.  As of fall 2009, there were no pending 
corruption cases involving bribery of foreign public officials.  As 
a matter of government policy, the GOA does not encourage or 
facilitate illicit production or distribution of narcotic or 
psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances, or the laundering 
of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. 
 
Agreements and Treaties.  Austria is a party to the 1988 UN Drug 
Convention, the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and its 
1972 Protocol, and the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic 
Substances.  Austria is a party to the UN Convention Against 
Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol against Trafficking 
in Persons.  An extradition treaty and mutual legal assistance 
treaty are in force between the U.S. and Austria.  In addition, the 
two countries have concluded protocols to the extradition and mutual 
legal assistance treaties pursuant to the 2003 U.S.-EU extradition 
and mutual legal assistance agreements.  The protocols are pending 
entry into force.  Furthermore, in fall 2009 Austria and the U.S. 
were in the final stages of signing an asset-sharing agreement 
regulating the allocation of confiscated assets between the two 
countries. 
 
Cultivation.  Production of illicit drugs in Austria continued to be 
marginal in 2008 and 2009.  The Interior Ministry's annual report on 
drug-related crime noted a rise in private, indoor-grown, 
high-THC-content cannabis.  Austria recorded no domestic cultivation 
of coca or opium in the period January-October 2009. 
 
VIENNA 00001448  003.2 OF 003 
 
 
 
Drug Flow/Transit.  The Interior Ministry's drug report stresses 
that Austria is not a source country for illicit drugs, but remains 
a transit country.  According to the DEA's quarterly trafficking 
report, illicit drug trade by Austrian nationals is negligible. 
Foreign criminal groups (e.g. Turks, Serbs, Bosnians, Russians, 
Albanians, and Bulgarians) carry out organized drug trafficking in 
Austria.  The Balkan route into the country is a particularly 
difficult one to control.  In addition to opiates, 90 percent of 
cocaine enters Austria by the Balkan Route.  The illicit trade 
increasingly relies on Central and East European airports, including 
Vienna's Schwechat International Airport.  A continuing trend in 
Austria is West African narcotics smugglers using women from former 
Soviet-bloc countries to smuggle drugs into Austria.  The GOA 
reports a noticeable increase in Austria's growing role as a transit 
country for "Ecstasy" coming from the Netherlands to the Balkans. 
 
Domestic Programs/Demand Reduction.  Austrian authorities and the 
public generally view drug addiction as a disease rather than a 
crime.  This is reflected in its relatively liberal drug legislation 
and court decisions.  Conversely, there is growing public pressure 
on legislators to move more rigorously against (mostly foreign) drug 
traffickers.  The government remains committed to measures to 
prevent the social marginalization of drug addicts.  Federal 
guidelines ensure minimum quality standards for drug treatment 
facilities.  The GOA's demand reduction program emphasizes primary 
prevention, drug treatment, counseling, and harm reduction measures, 
such as needle exchange programs.  Ongoing challenges in demand 
reduction are the need for psychological care for drug victims and 
greater attention to older victims and immigrants. 
 
Primary intervention starts at the pre-school level and continues 
through secondary school, apprenticeship institutions, and 
out-of-school youth programs.  The government and local authorities 
routinely sponsor educational campaigns both within and outside of 
the classroom.  Overall, youths in danger of addiction are primary 
targets of new treatment and care policies.  Austria has syringe 
exchange programs in place for HIV and hepatitis prevention. 
Hepatitis B and C are commonplace among intravenous drug users at 59 
percent.  Policies toward greater diversification in substitution 
treatment (methadone, prolonged-action morphine, and buprenorphine) 
continued in 2009.  Austria is one of the few countries allowing use 
of retarding morphine for substitution treatments.  Austria 
currently has approximately 10,000 people in rehabilitation 
programs. 
 
IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs. 
 
Bilateral Cooperation.  Cooperation between Austrian and U.S. 
authorities continued to be excellent in 2009.  Several bilateral 
efforts exemplified this cooperation, including ongoing DEA support 
of Austria's Drug Policing Balkans initiative and the government's 
ongoing anti-doping strategies.  Throughout 2009 Austrian Interior 
Ministry officials continued to consult the FBI, DEA, and DHS on how 
to update criminal investigation structures.  Similarly, DEA 
continues to work with Airport Police at Austria's Schwechat airport 
in an effort to intercept drug couriers.  Drugs seized in golf balls 
during 2009 provided valuable insights into new methodologies used 
by international drug rings.  As in 2008, leads passed from the 
Bangkok DEA office to Airport Police at Schwechat airport throughout 
2009 proved valuable with respect to drug seizures, arrests and 
intelligence sharing between agencies.  In addition, the U.S. 
Embassy regularly sponsors speaking tours for U.S. counternarcotics 
experts in Austria. 
 
The Road Ahead.  The U.S. will continue to support Austrian efforts 
to combat drug trafficking, including the creation of more effective 
tools for law enforcement.  As in past years, the U.S. will work 
closely with Austria within the framework of U.S.-EU initiatives, 
the UN, and the OSCE.  Promotion of a better understanding of U.S. 
drug policy among Austrian officials will remain a U.S. priority. 
 
EACHO