Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) – “Young people are often at the leading edge of social change, and upward trends in alcohol and illicit drug use by young people constitute an important social development in the EU” according to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, EMCD which has the task of offering communities and member states an overall view of the phenomenon of drugs and drug addiction. In its 2003 report the EMCD denounced a concerning increase in consumption of alcohol and drugs among young citizens of the European Union and Norway. In the last ten years the use of drugs has increased regularly in the 15 member states, particularly the use of cannabis. In Germany, France, Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom more than 20% of young people aged 15 to 25 use this drug. EMCD warns that alcohol and drugs are a serious threat. 26% of young people aged 15 to 16 in Portugal and 89% in Denmark admit that they make excessive use of drugs. Between 1990 and 2000 drug addiction caused the death of 3,103 young people under 20; 161 in 1990 and 349 in 2000. (AP) (22/10/2003 Fides Service; lines:13 words:184)
