DRUG ABUSE IN ARMY HAS STABILISED

Drug use in the army has stabilised, and the situation is better
compared to the armed forces of other countries, officials said yesterday.

"The National Guard compares relatively favourably. to the armed
forces of other countries regarding the problem of drugs," said Petros
Kareklas, Defence Ministry Permanent Secretary.

"Our studies and the close monitoring of the extent of the problem
have found a stabilising trend of the percentages concerning drug
users," Kareklas said.

The ministry did not provide any figures regarding the use of
narcotics in the armed forces.

The Defence Ministry official struck a note of caution regarding drug
use in general.

"Based on the official data and everything we see and hear we cannot
but feel worried about the future. Unfortunately, we are witnessing
not only arrests of individuals for drugs trafficking, but also
increased deaths from use," Kareklas said.

Nine people have died so far this year in Cyprus from drug
abuse.

Chief military doctor Christakis Kyprianou said the army was following
specific programmes in tackling the problem.

"The effort is to provide immediate help and put them in a position to
facilitate treatment," he said.

He said instances of overdose are very rare in the army and no
soldiers are being treated right now for drugs.

According to a study carried out by the National Guard, youths view
the army as a preemptive factor to drug use, Kyprianou said.

And it seems conscripts are embracing the helpline - 1404 - set up to
provide assistance and support.

"There has been a response from soldiers but of course it takes time
to trust the service," Kyprianou said.

Beyond the stabilisation in the numbers of drug users, the National
Guard has seen a decrease in suicide attempts by individuals who were
often drug users.

Again no figures were provided.

Kyprianou said drug use was a problem inherited by the National
Guard.

"The family is the most important factor" in preventing drug use, he
said.