NEWS IN BRIEF

IN HAMBURG MORE ADDICTS DIE OF METHADONE THAN OF HEROIN.

Thomas Wolgast writes in the Stuttgarter Nachrichten
(http://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten.de) of a report that has stirred a deal
of controversy. The caption: "Wonder Drug for Junkies Has Slipped into the
Twilight Zone: Curse or Blessing: In Hamburg more addicts die of Methadone
than of Heroin".

Hamburg - A controversial study carried out by medical specialists on 78
addicts has confirmed that 38 died of methadone poisoning and 32 of heroin.
These results have given rise to heated debate in the Hansestadt (Hamburg).
The study was carried out at the prestigious University Hospital of
Hamburg-Eppendorf.

FRANKFURT POLICE PRESIDENT’S 21 YEAR OLD SON ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES

The Nordkurier Online (http://www.nordkurier.de) is one of several papers
carrying reports of the arrest of Percy Lietsch, son of the Frankfurt
Police President, on drug charges. He had been under suspicion since last
year and was charged with drug dealing, allegedly in "not inconsiderable
quantities". Arrested at the same time was an alleged accomplice, Swen W.

Meanwhile, the Main Echo (http://www.main-echo.de) reports on the
disturbing decrease in the age of teens who try drugs for the first time
and of those who become embroiled with the law as a result of dealing or
drug use. Wuertemburg Police President Gerhard Haertel says, "We have been
observing a steady decrease in the age of those responsible for offenses
such as break-ins, robberies, receiving stolen goods and other offenses
commonly associated with drug abuse." He attributes the high rate of
resolution of such offenses, (70%), to supplying the Bavarian police
state-wide with computers and keeping a high concentration of police on the
ground in the most heavily affected areas.