XN000022-1994-12-09 — Page 35

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Diverse actions needed to halt drug abuse

There is no magic formula, waiting to be discovered, which will bring an end to substance abuse.

However, there are many diverse actions that can and should be taken, the Commissioner for Narcotics, Mr Alasdair Sinclair, said today (Friday).

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 15th International Federation of Non- Government Organisations Conference on the prevention for drug and substance abuse, Mr Sinclair stressed the need for actions that would help to develop in young people self-confidence and a healthy outlook.

"Children are influenced by the people around them. Parents, teachers, social workers, and others who are involved with young people, set an example," he said.

"Young people have to be made aware of the risks of drug abuse and helped to develop life skills - skills that will enable them to resist peer pressures, and resist taking drugs," he added.

Mr Sinclair acknowledged the part played by non-government organisations (NGOs) in the prevention of drug and substance abuse.

"The Government cannot do everything on its own. Nor would it wish to.

"There is a wealth of talent and commitment in the NGOs which it would be folly to ignore," he said.

Turning to the methadone maintenance programme, Mr Sinclair said it made a major contribution to reducing the damage.

"On an average day, 7,000 people do not take heroin because they have been provided with oral methadone instead.

"The money they would have spent on heroin does not have to be obtained and is not passed into the hands of criminals.

"The needles they would have injected themselves with remain unused and are not disposed of carelessly," he said.

"The patients live a normal life without thinking constantly about their next fix.