JAIL TERMS SUGGESTED TO DETER DRUG USE BY YOUNG

TEENAGERS should be threatened with jail sentences and criminal records to
stop rising recreational drug abuse, Youth Affairs Minister Willie O'Dea
warned yesterday.

The Minister said current anti-drug campaigns were failing to impact on
Irish teenagers who have the second highest rate of drug experimentation in
Europe.

"The conventional anti-drugs campaigns are obviously not succeeding as the
widespread use of so-called recreational drugs is increasing all of the
time. Therefore, I believe it is essential that we re-focus our anti-drugs
campaigns to stress to young people the social and legal, as well as medical
consequences of taking drugs."

A recent EU report revealed 36% of Irish schoolgoers aged 15 or 16 had used
cannabis, while eight per cent had used Ecstasy. Only Britain had a higher
rate of teenage drug use.

The Labour Government in Britain has re-focused its anti-drugs campaign to
highlight the criminal implications of drug use and the Irish Government
should follow suit, Minister O'Dea said.

"It has already had an effect in Britain and I have no problem borrowing a
good idea that has worked elsewhere. The existing jail sentences here are
tough enough but the health message doesn't seem to be getting through, and
the idea that you can get a criminal conviction with implications for a
career isn't percolating down.

"Many young people who are doing well at school and college are taking
recreational drugs. They are often critical of people who drink and drive
and are very aware of the legal consequences of such an action. Many of
these young people would also be interested in human rights.

"Consequently, we have to make young people aware of the fact that drug
taking could easily result in a criminal record or jail sentence which will
prevent them from attaining certain jobs and entering certain countries,
such as the United States.

"We must also stress the fact that by taking drugs young people are
supporting many organisations with appalling human rights records that are
also involved in drug production," Minister O'Dea said.

He said he intended to write to national and regional newspapers, and radio
and television stations to promote a new campaign. He also plans to promote
the new campaign through existing anti-drug programmes in schools.