Pubdate: Tue, 27 Jun 2000
Source: National, The (New Guinea)
Copyright: 2000, The National
Contact:  PO Box 6817, Boroko, NCD, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Website: http://www.wr.com.au/national/index.html
Author: Theresa Ame

DRUG ABUSE KILLING OUR YOUTH, SAYS KARANI

THE WIDESPREAD use of drugs by youths in the country makes them an 
"endangered species", Police Minister Mathias Karani said yesterday.

He said many ports in PNG are becoming transit points for drug trafficking 
and export.

The minister was speaking at the Sir John Guise Stadium to mark this year's 
"International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Drug Trafficking" yesterday.

He said drug abuse is a deadly enemy, taking away an individual's respect 
for life, respect for society and is wrecking the lives of many people.

Papua New Guinea, Mr Karani said, is in the region where there is illicit 
drug trade.

Sadly enough, he said, it is the younger generation who are being targetted 
by drug traders.

Mr Karani said a recent survey conducted by the National Narcotics Bureau 
found that 90 per cent of youths aged between 13 and 21 years in the 
National Capital District are involved in drug abuse on a regular basis.

More than half of these users are children attending primary and high 
schools, he said.

Mr Karani said the same survey further noted that about 80 per cent of 
those in juvenile institutions are regular drug abusers.

He said he was shocked also to learn that children as young as 10 years 
were involved in using or pushing drugs.

"Drugs and crime go hand in hand. Police have experienced many 
confrontations with youths under the influence of drugs, especially 
marijuana," he said.

"Can you for one minute imagine what it would be like for all our youths to 
be drug users and pushers? We need only to observe other countries to be 
reminded of the chaos and anarchy such can cause."

"Our youths have become an endangered species in a space of only 25 years. 
It shows that we as a government, individuals and parents have failed 
miserably," Mr Karani said.

He urged a clean up now for a clean and safe environment for our youths 
tomorrow.

The National Narcotics Bureau, which organised the event yesterday, has 
chosen music as a tool to send out the message about their fight against 
drug abuse and drug trafficking.

It has joined forces with local studio Rising Star to promote its awareness 
program through music.
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