Pubdate: Thu, 20 Jun 2002 Source: Reuters (Wire) Copyright: 2002 Reuters Limited Author: Axel Bugge BRAZIL SAYS SURVEY SHOWS DRUG USE 'NOT ALARMING' BRASILIA, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazil's first ever survey of drug use showed Wednesday the country's consumption of illegal substances is "not alarming," despite having some of the worst drug-related violence in the world, officials said. The study showed that 19.4% of Brazilians have tried an illegal drug at least once, putting Latin America's largest country well behind the United States where 38.9% of people say they have tried drugs, but above Chile with 17.1%. US government estimates, disputed by Brazilian authorities, have shown that between 40 and 50 tons of cocaine is consumed in Brazil a year, making it the world's second-largest consumer of cocaine, after the United States. But the survey of drug use in this country of 170 million people showed regular cocaine users accounted for 2.3% of the population, compared with about 3% in Spain and Britain and 11.2% in the United States. "The data is not alarming, Brazil is far from being in second place," in drug consumption, said Gen. Alberto Cardoso, President Fernando Henrique Cardoso's chief security advisor. Drug Awareness Week Brazil's survey, carried out by government researchers and the Federal University of Sao Paulo, took a sample of 8,589 people in 107 cities across the country. Its release coincided with the start of a national drug awareness week, which was opened by Cardoso. "It is no comfort to us that other countries have still higher rates," of consumption, the Brazilian president said in a speech. "This is a war of prevention and repression," he added, referring to the country's fight against the drug trade, which has sent violence spiraling in major cities. The survey found that marijuana was the most common drug used by Brazilians, with 6.9% of those surveyed smoking it regularly. Drug gangs have taken control of many slums in big cities like Rio de Janeiro. They often operate with impunity in places where the police are afraid to venture. Two weeks ago a journalist investigating the drug trade was shot to death after being tortured by gangs. The killing sparked an angry uproar by Brazilians. "Where the state does not exist, the state needs to return because if not, there is no arbitrator," Cardoso said. "There has to be zero tolerance." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake