A study carried out recently by scientists from the University of Valencia has shown that Spanish euro notes contained traces of cocaine which averaged 155 microgrammes (one microgramme is one millionth of a gramme). The researchers also analysed previous studies which highlighted cocaine levels found in different currencies around the world and a comparison of the studies showed the Spanish levels were the highest in Europe, with the most highly contaminated notes coming from the United States.
The contamination comes from the money being in the hands of people who come into physical contact with the drug and from the method of sniffing the drug through a rolled up banknote. Miguel de la Guardia, professor of chemistry at the University of Valencia and co-author of the study published in the latest edition of Trends in Analytical Chemistry, added that 96 per cent of the notes tested were contaminated – the research team believes as a result of cross contamination between notes. The publication points out that there is an unequivocal relationship between the high levels of cocaine found in both American dollar bills and Spanish euro notes and the high consumption of the substance in both countries.
Miguel de la Guardia said that he believes cocaine
has become rooted in Spanish society, and is playing Russian roulette with the neuronal development of an entire generation. "I find it profoundly embarrassing that we now all have cocaine in our wallets," he added.
The most recent report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime warns that Spain is still the major point of entry of cocaine into Europe. In 2006, 41% of all hauls of the drug made in Europe were made on Spanish soil, where 50 tonnes were seized, followed by Portugal, with 35 tonnes. The UN also says the rate of cocaine use doubled in Spain between 1999 and 2005, increasing from 1.6% to 3% of those aged between 15 and 64, which is more than twice the rate for Western Europe as a whole (1.2%).
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