Pubdate: Sat, 12 Jul 2003
Source: Cyprus Mail, The (Cyprus)
Copyright: Cyprus Mail 2003
Contact:  http://www.cyprus-mail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/100
Author: Alexia Saoulli

DOES THE PRESIDENT'S NINE-YEAR-OLD DRUG ADDICT REALLY EXIST?

GOVERNMENT Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said yesterday it would be
inconceivable to name a "nine-year-old drug addict" that President
Tassos Papadopoulos had recently referred to in a speech to a drug
addiction centre.

Chrysostomides was replying to assertions by the opposition and the
press, suggesting the nine-year-old drug addicted girl simply didn't
exist.

Papadopoulos did not say in his speech where he had heard the
information, what type of drug she was allegedly using, or whether she
was currently in a rehabilitation centre.

Chrysostomides told the Cyprus Mail he did not know any of the above
answers either, and that it was "not logical to discuss the matter"

The conclusion that she might not exist was drawn after the police and
various anti-drug organisations all said they had never heard of or
dealt with such a case.

DISY deputy Riccos Erotocritou also questioned why Health Minister
Dina Akkelidou had been vague and ambiguous when the Standing
Committee for Delinquency met just after the president's announcement,
wanting to know if social workers and medical experts were helping the
child, or if money had been spent to help her. However, "she was not
in a position to give us any answers and told us the case was being
dealt with the girl's family in confidence," he said.

Chrysostomides yesterday insisted: "Nobody will give any indication
which will lead to the discovery of the child's identity  It is a
matter of basic sensitivity of our society and I do not believe there
is anyone who does not realise that." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake