Christmas designer drugs crackdown

The Balearic battle against teenage designer drugs abuse received an important boost yesterday with the National Drugs Plan announcing a new campaign aimed at the casual teenage drugs user. The results of a study into youth drugs abuse in the Balearics published last month have alarmed the local authorities. While the National Drugs Plan has noted an increase in casual youth drug users, aged between 15 and 17 across Spain, the increase in the Balearics has been double the national average. The only increase in drugs abuse has been recorded amongst casual users of designer drugs and cocaine which is why they are the target of a new local and national campaign. The thrust of the new campaign is to inform teenagers about what they are exactly taking and what the illegal substances do to their mind and bodies. “Get informed. Drugs: more information, less risks” is the slogan of the festive campaign which will be pumped out in all medium of communications over the Christmas holidays. The authorities are concerned about the increasing dangers of drugs threatening teenagers and in the Balearics tougher action even still is being discussed by the authorities and the non-government organisations involved in the war against drugs. While the main problem is amongst the 15 to 17 age group, the new campaign is aimed at 14 to 18 year olds. This year the Balearic police have seized more ecstasy tablets than ever, but the designer drug still proves to be the most popular with teenagers, especially the weekend user.