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