INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST ABUSE AND ILLEGAL TRAFFICKING OF DRUGS

The Family and Social Solidarity Ministry, in a message marking the
International Day Against Abuse and Illegal Trafficking of Drugs,
said that drugs were a problem that affected all society and everyone
should be urged to reflect on this.

This year, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime launched an
anti-drugs campaign that will run for three years under the theme Do
drugs control your life? Your life. Your community. No place for drugs.

The ministry said this was a very positive message that could be
applied to the country. Drugs affected all communities and it was the
government's policy to strengthen social services.

Research by the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other
Drugs and Health Behaviour in School-aged Children, drawn up by the
World Health Organisation, had helped in the formulation of several
measures, such as legislation on alcohol consumption by minors and on
tobacco purchases. Research showed that young people start
experimenting with alcohol and tobacco from a young age, and then
they turn to stimulants like ecstasy.

It also appeared that most young people who turn to hard drugs such
as heroin do so after experimenting with soft drugs, alcohol and smoking.

A public consultation is to be launched in the coming weeks about a
national policy on drugs. The policy had been drawn up by the
National Commission against Drug and Alcohol Abuse.