ZAGREB, June 21 (Hina) - The Sabor's House of Representatives on Wednesday adopted a programme for the implementation of a National Strategy for Prevention of Drug Addiction in 2000. In the last ten years, the number of drug-addicts
climbed from 4,000 to 13,000. Last year saw a rise of 1,500 heroin addicts who were 21 year old on average. Even 30 percent of students leaving the secondary schools had used some drugs. These alarming data were cited by MPs during a debate on this topic. Parliamentarians advocated the urgent procedure for adoption of an adequate law on prevention of drug addiction, higher budgetary means for this purpose, the set-up of centres for treatment of drug-addicts outside hospitals, a media campaign and means for education of children at school about preventive measures. Most deputies said there would be no results until organised crime was thwarted, as organised crime gained over 8
ZAGREB, June 21 (Hina) - The Sabor's House of Representatives on
Wednesday adopted a programme for the implementation of a National
Strategy for Prevention of Drug Addiction in 2000.
In the last ten years, the number of drug-addicts climbed from 4,000
to 13,000.
Last year saw a rise of 1,500 heroin addicts who were 21 year old on
average. Even 30 percent of students leaving the secondary schools
had used some drugs.
These alarming data were cited by MPs during a debate on this
topic.
Parliamentarians advocated the urgent procedure for adoption of an
adequate law on prevention of drug addiction, higher budgetary
means for this purpose, the set-up of centres for treatment of drug-
addicts outside hospitals, a media campaign and means for education
of children at school about preventive measures.
Most deputies said there would be no results until organised crime
was thwarted, as organised crime gained over 800 million kuna (200
million German marks) of profit from the illegal drug sale
annually.
Therefore they advocated severe punishment of those who produce or
earn from the sale of illegal narcotics.
The aim of the adopted programme is to half the number of drug-
addicts to 700 in coming two or three years, said Dr. Slavko
Sakoman, the head of Government's commission for the drug abuse
prevention. ?his cannot be achieved if state top officials and all
social institution are not engaged in such efforts, he added.
The lower house obliged the Government to inform the Sabor every six
months of results of the implementation of the National Strategy.
In addition, the Croatian Radio and Television (HRT) council has
the task to pay special attention to educational programmes in the
prevention of drug abuse.
(hina) ms