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Yugoslavia Urban Problems
Yugoslav cities grew without adequate planning. Regardless of
region, people with tenure in socially owned apartments lived
mostly in the city centers, while privately owned homes were
located farther out. The chronic housing shortage resulted in the
development of sizeable unplanned settlements on the periphery of
large cities. These settlements often lacked paved streets,
running water, or sewer lines. Gypsy shantytowns also surrounded
many urban areas. City inspectors were reluctant to evict the
inhabitants of these areas because eviction would cause a public
outcry and appear to be discrimination against the poor.
Yugoslavia's speedy urbanization brought many problems
associated in the West with life in big cities. Drug use,
although still relatively uncommon, grew steadily in the 1980s.
Drug traffickers frequented Yugoslavia's main roadways, carrying
heroin and other drugs to Western Europe from sources in the
Middle East. Some of these drugs found their way into
Yugoslavia's drug underground. Urban treatment facilities
registered about 2,000 drug addicts, but the total number of drug
abusers was estimated at 10,000 in 1988. The Yugoslav
government's antidrug program consisted of a campaign to
interdict drug shipments, treat drug abusers, and prevent drug
abuse.
Data as of December 1990
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