In contrast, the number of heroin users and amounts of heroin seized in Egypt are rising as well. Opium cultivation in the Sinai and in Southern Egypt is increasing. GOE control of these areas is limited because of weak infrastructure. ANGA reports that the Southern Sinai has become the preferred area in Egypt for poppy cultivation. ANGA conducts regular crop eradication programs.
Cocaine use remains at a relatively low level but abuse of pharmaceutical drugs is rising.
Prescriptions are not required to purchase pharmaceuticals in Egypt and the industry remains unregulated although the GOE continues to work on instituting stricter distribution controls. These problems are exacerbated by a lack of funding and resources for the counternarcotics program. Egyptian drug laws are severe and include capital punishment for producers and traffickers of hard drugs. GOE counternarcotics policies did not change in 1995. ANGA is expanding its units along the long border with Libya, and has increased the size of its eradication unit.