Cocaine users on the rise
The number of people taking cocaine is on the increase with sedqa's Drugs Commission Services treating 39 new cases of cocaine abuse last year.
Foundation for Welfare Services chief executive officer Sina Bugeja said this morning that 26 new cases had been treated in 2007.
Sedqa's clinical director George Grech said that the number of new drug users this year is expected to be even higher than in 2008. He said that cocaine was no longer a recreational drug.
Speaking during the launch of an awareness campaign for professionals in the field and the public, Ms Bugeja said that according to the European schools survey on alcohol and other drugs, more cocaine was taken by 15 and 16 year old Maltese than by students of other nationalities.
The campaign should inform addicts and their families of the harm cocaine caused and urge victims to seek help from sedqa.
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Graham Crocker
Jun 28th 2009, 01:09
Its really a mixture of carelessness, money in hand, boredom and apathy.
Its also general ignorance; if they knew what cocaine does to you, they wouldn't take it as I always managed to refuse even while being intoxicated.
Anyways elves here is my reply, if people where stressed they would go for Downers like hashish and not Uppers like cocaine and if people were poor they'd do speed. Although people go for Uppers if they are Bored.
Peter Korsten
Jun 26th 2009, 08:39
Cocaine is not a drug you take because of stress; it has quite the opposite effect from herion and other opiates. People take cocaine, among other reasons, because celebrities do it, and it's considered 'glamorous'. What is less well known is that cocaine is very damaging, and in pure form it's possibly more hazardous than herion (which, in pure form, only has one major damaging physical side-effect, namely death). Except that it's never pure. So in effect you're mostly sniffing baking soda, or somethinng much more dangerous than that. What is required is proper education and information: not just saying "drugs are bad", but explaining what cocaine does to you: heart failure, sleeping problems, muscle cell destruction through hyperthermia, stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, and oh, impotence. Just to name a few. It's a very damaging substance. Pure cocaine, that is. And as mentioned, it's never pure.
Galea. L
Jun 25th 2009, 20:59
Tonna J If you simply look at the everyday problems that the people have to face especially those created by the Government the list will be endless Tonna. Get my point? Feel free to make the list yourself.
Tonna J.
Jun 25th 2009, 17:38
@ Galea L - I did not know what she had in mind. If you know yourself list them!
W Spencer
Jun 25th 2009, 17:11
@ Maria Vella.......... stress and tension for Locals ?? Here ?? Tell that to the illegal immigrants.
On the contrary, its having a good time now, wanting everything now, and not worrying about the future, thats the problem.
There is NEVER any pressure to use drugs or get intoxicated at every opportunity. Its a personal choice, EVERYONE, yes EVERYONE, knows that taking that first ' hit / sniff ' or getting " off your head " with booze, puts you on the road to ruin.
Galea. L
Jun 25th 2009, 16:56
Tonna J
Does she need to when they are known to all?
Frans Sammut
Jun 25th 2009, 14:33
In the 1980s medical historian Dr Paul Cassar proudly noted in one of his famous papers that the drug problem was practically non-existent in Malta. The competent authorities and all relevant entities should be studying the causes of the great difference we are witnessing today.
Tonna J.
Jun 25th 2009, 14:21
@ Ms Maria Vella - why not list what is causing so much stress and tension in our country??
Maria Vella
Jun 25th 2009, 12:44
Thats what happens when there is too much strees and tension in the country, people will try to find help in drugs, narcotics and also alcohol,it`s no point arguing that`s the truth.