Friday, October 20, 2006

A Link To Jerez News

Hello All,

Just found this site again. I bookmarked it last time we were here. It's our only link to what is happening on a regional level. For those who are looking for specificity about how to pray, this might be helpful in identifying social issues confronting Spain. In this last issue, October 12th, Spain is dealing with major substance abuse among the youth. Here's the link to the Costa Del Sol Archive: http://www.andalucia.com/news/archive.htm

And here is the article...

Around 6,000 youths take cocaine daily

By David Eade

"SPAIN’S MINISTER FOR HEALTH, ELENA SALGADO, HAS REVEALED THAT AROUND 5,900 ADOLESCENTS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 18 YEARS INHALE COCAINE EVERY DAY.

In addition some 29,000 use cannabis also on a daily basis. The minister said there has been a steady increase in the use of drugs since 1995 but especially among this young age group.

The consumption of cannabis has increased by 50 per cent between 1995 and 2003 amongst those aged from 15 to 64 years. Over the same period there had been a quadrupling of cocaine use. The use of cocaine among young people is very alarming with 164,000 said to have used it in the last 12 months which is 7.2 per cent compared with 1.8 per cent in 1994. Around 36,000 say they have used the drug in the past month and 5,900 admit to its use on a daily basis.

Cannabis remains the most widely used drug in Spain with 830,000 adolescents saying they have smoked it in the last 12 months. That puts the percentage level at 36.6 per cent compared with just 18.2 in 1994. In the last month 570,000 say they have used cannabis whilst 29,000 say they use it on a daily basis. Salgado stated that the government was seeking a solution to the problem of drug use especially amongst minors. However she seemed to rule out bringing in legislation similar to that regulating underage drinking. The minister stated that trafficking and distribution of drugs were already a crime and public consumption was also an offence. A prevention campaign is the more likely route specially aimed at their widespread use close to educational and leisure centres."

Hey, I've got a great prevention plan!!

Blessings To The Friends Of Spain,
Frank Sanchez

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