Brasília, June 23, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Specialists and physicians have another reason to be worried about the indexes of drug consumption in Brazil. According to data from the National Anti-Drug Secretariat, the profile of users is increasingly younger; children start to consume drugs when they are around 10 years old. Another bit of data that frightens specialists has to do with the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

According to the president of the Narcotics Council of the Federal District, Rosilda Oliveira, the index of young people who drink has risen. "Previously, our concern was with young people between 16 and 21. Now, unfortunately, 10 year-old children already drink," she informed.

Data from the Paulista School of Medicine show that 25% of Brazilian young people have already tried some type of drug. The problem has mobilized government sectors, such as the National Secretariat of Human Rights. Secretary Nilmário Miranda is in favor of measures against even so-called legal drugs, with more rigorous control over alcoholic beverage advertising in the media. In his view, it is necessary to end the association between alcoholic beverages and positive, healthy behavior, as occurs in the advertisements that are currently shown on television.

Miranda explains that only programs for the generation of income, social inclusion, and education can help reduce the number of users. According to the director of Prevention and Treatment of the Anti-Drug Secretariat, Paulina Vieira, data demonstrate that drug consumption in Brazil, in comparison with other countries, is relatively low. However, while the tendency is for consumption to fall in the other countries, in Brazil the tendency is one of growth and precocity. (DAS)