Pubdate: 27 Jan 1999
Source: Associated Press
Copyright: 1999 Associated Press
Author: SVENSKA DAGBLADET, Stockholm, Sweden

[TRANSLATED]

DRUG CENTER WEAPON AGAINST ADDICTION

Against the background of yesterday's article about the drug habits of
Stockholm's ninth grade pupils, Kristina Axen Olin, Member of the City
Council's Social Affairs Board, tells SvD that there are plans to
establish a drug center that, among other matters, shall create public
opinion, educate teachers and distribute material to be used in the
battle against alcohol and narcotic addiction.

"The rapid developments in this area are unbelievable. New drugs all
the time. You hardly know their names, leave alone what they look
like. Not even our lawmakers can handle it." The study of 15-year olds
is deeply disturbing, she says. Many drink habitually great quantities
of beer, wine or alcohol.

A new drug center can help turning this tendency, she hopes, and she
will shortly discuss her suggestion with members of the other
political parties.

The center shall serve both curious teen-agers as well as teachers and
parents, according to Kristina Axen Olin. "There is a lot of ignorance
and many questions among adults and they have no idea where to find
answers."

We can help with information through a drug center staffed with
specialists." To provide an alternative to the Internet's narco
propaganda will be an added task." That's really necessary.

If you search "Smart Drugs" you get over 2,000 hits. "There's a flood
of liberal drug sites", she says. The drug center will not necessarily
be run by the local government but, quite possibly, a volunteer
organization could be appointed to handle it.

As SvD recounted yesterday, 15 year old pupils from socially stabile
homes in the Stockholm area, drink considerably more alcohol than
students from less homogenous areas. "In the 'better-to-do' areas,
where both parents work long hours outside the home, they see their
children on an average of five minutes a day. They have no controls or
supervision. It's TV and Video and buddies.

Ninth grade students from the less stabile areas have more contacts
with other generations", theorizes Kristina Axen Olin. "And here is
alcohol not as common of religious reasons."

"To offer your teen a glass of wine with dinner has it's risks" she
observes.

"Obviously, wine is not the only beverage their children are
drinking."

The results of addiction habits should cause concern among both
parents and school officials," she says. "Why not threaten the local
shop keeper that sold it?"

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