OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - Drugs are not trendy they only lead to destruction.Youth campaign against drug abuse and diffusion of “ice”

Sydney (Agenzia Fides) - Taking drugs is not trendy or exciting, it does not make life better. It leads only to destruction and desperation: this is the slogan of a Campaign launched by Catholic youth in Australia to dissuade young people from turning to drug abuse. Most concerning is the spread of metanphetamine called “ice” much more present in schools than heroine and used by an estimated 73,000 young people in Australia.
“What makes it all the more dangerous is the fact that it is undervalued, young people see it as a pill to take during a party to be a bit euphoric”, says Crispin Molloy, youth pastoral operator. The campaign is led by the Youth Service of the Vincent de Paul Society which assists adolescents in difficulty.
Ice is a stimulant which causes serious damage to the central nervous system generating at first euphoria and then violent psychosis and depression. It leads to rapid dependence because of its swift mental effects. It is relatively easy to find and is cheap and so is widely used.
To fight this “ice epidemic”, the Youth Campaign will involve church movements, parishes, associations and youth pastoral structures.
“But this will not be enough - the operators say - in addition there must be formation to the meaning of life, young people must be led to ask existential questions, to grow in awareness and decide what to do with their life where to invest their talents”.
Catholic Pastoral care in Australia is deeply involved in preparing for the next World Youth Day which will be hosted by Sydney in 2008. WYD, the organisers say, will be a wonderful opportunity to foster reflection on spirituality and the essential values of life among all Australians young and not so young. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 12/10/2006 righe 27 parole 270)