ANTI-DRUGS BATTLE NEEDS BALANCE

THREATENING teenagers with jail sentences and criminal records to stop
rising drug abuse may be an extreme measure but if it helps resolve
Ireland's soaring drugs crisis, it could prove worthwhile.

Advocated by Junior Minister Willie O'Dea, responsible for Youth Affairs,
the proposal is based on a scheme operating successfully in the UK. It is
undeniable that current campaigns are failing to impact on Irish teenagers
who have the second highest rate of drug experimentation in Europe.

It is vital, however, that shock tactics stressing the social legal, and
medical consequences of taking drugs do not replace a more balanced
anti-drugs programme of education.