POLICE UNABLE TO HINDER YOUTHS NARCOTICS USE

The involvement of the police in narcotic prevention education appears to
have little effect to change pupils attitudes to narcotics. That is the
conclusion of a report from the Crime Prevention Council (BRA) which has
investigated two of the educational programs, VAGA (a direct translation of
DARE, translator's note) and the Rave Commission have designed as
strategies to stave off drug use.

Criminal statistics shows that drug use among Swedish youths is on the
increase. Material from annual investigations into the drug use habits of
youths also point to an increased drug use according to BRA. In 1997 those
suspected of drug crimes of the ages 15 to 19 years old increased to about
13% of the total cases investigated.

The study of the Rave Commission's work shows that more than half of the
earlier unknown to the police could not be bound to any crime, and that,
therefore the effect of the Commission program is open to discussion
according to BRA.

"To keep youths away from narcotics is an axiom and certainly a central
goal in the fight against the narco trade. But we must also guard against
the methods used, so that they not hurt those innocent. It is urgent to
discuss if not the high number of arrests leading to no further legal
consequence fill our demands of effectivity as well as social justice" says
Ann-Mrie Begler, Director General of BRA.

The second strategy analysed in the report is the drug information programs
conducted by the police in our schools. Since 1993 numerous schools use an
educational package named "VAGA". There is, according to BRA, no evidence
that those pupils engaged in the program, are any less inclined to use
illegal drugs than others. Those pupils are on par with others when asked
about drug use and just as likely to use illegal substances at some time.

"The involvment of the police in drug prevention programs should be limited
to areas of their professional competence. Every year there are around
25,000 reported burglaries and thefts from schools and it's here that the
efforts of the police should be used to a higher degree than at present"
says Ann-Marie Begler.