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Interview with Rune Hægeland

- A representative from the social security in Vennesla

The danger zone

Who’s most likely of getting drug problems?

Kids in the 9th and the 10th grade at secondary school are especially in the danger zone.

Reasons why they start taking drugs:

-         Few or no friends

-         Low self-esteem

-         Not attached to a safe environment

-         Drugs give courage

Do you know how many people that have a kind of drug problem in Vennesla?

There are a lot of people using drugs here, but only 10% of them develop an addiction.

In spring of 2003 30 people were detoxified. They were at the age between 18-66. 

The social security takes care of people over 18, and the child welfare takes care of kids under 18.

Prevention

What is done to prevent drug problems?

We have a political action plan to deal with drug problems. The police, the kindergarten, the schools, the childcare and the social welfare have approved it.
These are some of the measures:
· We want to create attitudes, give information and support to drug free measures.
· We want to give youth in an exposed position a summer job.
· Demand urine sample if we suspect drug abuse.
· Co-operate with the local authority’s drug consultant.
· Keep the shops, pubs and bars updated about the alcohol law.

Social office shall follow up the measures and give feedback to the local authorities about the results.

Do you have organizations that are working for preventing that youngsters get drug addicts, or do you just focus on those people that already have a problem?

- Kontakten (a café)

- Blaakors (a café open every Wednesday)

- Moonlight

- Athletic club. Etc

We’re also supporting arrangements that are free from drugs.

Have you gotten any response about how the measures work?

Yes.

-         The police say there are a lot less trouble and drinking at public places.

-         50% of the drug addicts that are placed in detox are clean after five years.

Do you get contacted by people that think that you have to do more about the problem?

Yes, there are people that think we have to do more about it, but there is not enough money in the municipality. It costs 12500, - NOK to put a patient in detox for a month. 

Distinctive characteristic for Vennesla

How’s this local authority compared to other local authorities?

There are rumours that say we have a lot of drug addicts, but that’s not the case. The drug problems are pretty similar in Kristiansand and Mandal. 

How much money is provided to work against drugs every year?

In the budget of 2003, we’ve put off 1,4 NOK millions for such things.

This money is used to support kontakten, Blaakors, and so on.