DON'T LEGALIZE DRUGS URGES YOUTH COUNCIL

LEGALISING or decriminalising illegal drugs will not help the country's
drugs problem and could even worsen the situation, according to the
National Youth Council.

It ``emphatically ruled out'' the option of legalising or decriminalising
drugs such as cannabis or ecstasy in a drugs policy adopted at its annual
assembly this weekend.

The council said drug abuse was the most pressing issue affecting young
people in Ireland and called for a concerted campaign to reduce the
incidence and negative effects of drug abuse.

However, the legalising of these drugs could worsen the problem by making
them more socially acceptable, it argues.

Now it is calling on the Government to honour its commitment to a £20m
antidrugs youth service development fund in Wednesday's Budget.

The council's drug policy recommends:

* No change in the current legal status of illegal drugs,

* Prevention to be a major focus of campaigns tackling drug abuse,

* A comprehensive drugs education programme and campaign to be put in place
by youth organisations, and

* Youth organisations to be better resourced, and involved more in planning
drug abuse prevention programmes.

The council says the role of youth organisations in preventing and dealing
with drug abuse among young people is greatly undervalued and can be built
upon. There is too much emphasis on treatment and supply and not enough on
prevention, it adds.

President Jillian Hassett pointed to the fact that in the Netherlands,
which had become the international model for decriminalisation, there had
been an increase in drug usage.

``Between 1984 and 1992 cannabis usage by students increased by 250pc,''
she added. ``The number of marijuana addicts increased by 30pc between 1991
and 1993 alone. A similar negative experience should not be replicated
here,'' declared Ms Hassett.

``The drugs problem is nationwide and worsening. While targeted measures
are needed to address the heroin problem in Dublin, the £20m antidrugs
youth service development fund should be committed on a nationwide basis
through youth organisations working on the ground with young people.''

The president also said the use of peer education should be encouraged
alongside appropriate and wellinformed harm reduction strategies.

The policy document also commits the council to lobbying Government and
other decisionmaking bodies.