'PNG MAY BECOME TRANSIT ZONE FOR DRUG DEALERS'

PAPUA New Guinea may become a transit zone for Asia and Australia in
drug trafficking.

Director for Drug Education of the National Narcotics Bureau Marku
Maruse said this is because of the country's geographical character
where there were little islands and atolls with some of them sharing
borders with other countries.

Mr Maruse said the current rate of drug abuse, especially of
marijuana, in the country was alarming.

He said places with the highest rates of drug abuse include Kimbe,
Lihir, Tolukuma, and Enga.

Mr Maruse said drug trafficking was becoming a major criminal problem
in the country, especially around the main highways and ports.

He said senior members of the public were becoming involved in
organised drug trafficking because of the large sums of money.

Mr Maruse said the use of drugs was becoming a major problem for
schools throughou the country but there are instances were people were
not to keen to report to authorities.

Studies have shown that most of the drug are transported from the
highlands therefore placing it as the major supplier.

The National Narcotics Bureau will put carrying out some of its
awareness programs at the upcoming National Health Expo next week.

The bureau will be showing videos, giving out posters and pamphlets
and also having special tasks on drug abuse.

The National Narcotics Bureau aims to educate young people on the
dangers of drugs, trafficking, and related to illegal drug use.

The Health Expo will be staged at the Sir John Guise Stadium with more
than 20 participants promoting health awareness themes.

The theme of this year's Health Expo is 'Safe blood starts with you'.