Pubdate: Thu, 02 Dec 2004
Source: Cyprus Mail, The (Cyprus)
Copyright: Cyprus Mail 2004
Contact:  http://www.cyprus-mail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/100
Author: Stefanos Evripidou

ARMY CHIEF PLAYS DOWN REPORTS OF DRUG USE IN NATIONAL GUARD

THE National Guard sought to play down recent reports of extensive drug use 
within its camps yesterday, claiming that less than a hundred soldiers were 
known users in the army, while only between 4 and 4.5 per cent had tried drugs.

National Guard chief Athanasios Nicolodemos told reporters yesterday: "The 
problem of drugs is one of the vital issues we are facing, one of the 
biggest threats which is already knocking on the doors of the army camps 
and more generally in society."

Given that the National Guard was responsible for a vulnerable and 
sensitive section of society, 18-year-old new recruits, it could not remain 
ignorant to this phenomenon, added Nicolodemos.

However, the army chief stressed that recent reports claiming between 20 
and 50 per cent of the army had taken drugs were not based on scientific 
evidence. He announced the results of a recent study by the Army Medical 
Corps which revealed that less than two per cent of the National Guard were 
chronic drug users, while between 4 and 4.5 per cent were occasional users, 
having tried drugs at least once. All in all, less than 100 people are 
proved users, he said.

Head of the medical corps, Christos Kyprianou, said the results announced 
by the National Information Centre on Monday regarding drug users in the 
army were exaggerated. He added that the drugs mainly being used were 
considered 'soft' drugs. Kyprianou highlighted that no soldier of the 
National Guard was currently undergoing rehabilitation in any of the 
centres available.

In a recent study of 260 soldiers, two were found using morphine and four 
cannabis, he said.

Nicolodemos said the National Guard was very sensitive to the problem and 
taking all necessary measures, highlighting that even the smallest incident 
involving drug use was reported to the Defence Minister. Trafficking and 
dealing were considered very serious measures, demanding police 
intervention. But for cases of drug use, the army more often than not 
treated the matter internally and only after first informing the family, he 
said.

The commander-in-chief acknowledged that there was an increasing trend of 
drug use overall in society and in the army but pointed to scientific 
evidence which proved that the problem was not at the proportions people 
thought.

"The National Guard is taking preventive measures, making studies all the 
time, and is participating in the Anti-drugs Council," he noted. Teams of 
psychologists, sociologists and psychiatrists were visiting army camps 
throughout the country since 2002 coming into contact with soldiers, while 
co-operation existed with the Education Ministry, rehabilitation centres 
and the police to prevent the problem from getting worse.
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