Pubdate: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 Source: Examiner, The (Ireland) Copyright: Examiner Publications Ltd, 1999 Contact: http://www.examiner.ie/ Author: Willie O'Dea, TD EMPHASISE DANGERS IN THE DRUG TRADE I AM very concerned at the widespread use of so-called recreational drugs. A recent EU report revealed that only Britain had a higher rate of teen experimentation with illegal drugs than Ireland. According to the report, 36% of Irish schoolgoers between the ages of 15 and 16 indicated they had used cannabis while 8% said they had used ecstasy. As the use of so-called recreational drugs is evidently increasing, I believe it is essential that our anti-drugs campaigns stress to young people the social and legal consequences as well as the medical repercussions of taking drugs. Many people who are doing well at school and college are taking recreational drugs. They are aware of the legal consequences of drink driving due to the various government initiatives to address this problem. In addition, it should be highlighted that support of this illegal trade supports many organisations with appalling human rights records. Willie O'Dea TD, Minister of State, Department of Education and Science, Dublin 2. - --- MAP posted-by: Patrick Henry