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The President of the Republic views the spread of drug abuse and HIV as an extremely serious problem14.03.2002
President Arnold Rüütel convened a meeting today at Kadriorg, to discuss the possibilities to stem the spread of drug abuse and HI-virus.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Social Affairs Siiri Oviir, Minister of Internal Affairs Ain Seppik, Minister of Justice Märt Rask, Minister of Finance Harri Õunapuu, by representatives of the Ministry of Education, of the Ministry of Defence, of the Ministry of Culture and of the Minister of Population, by the Chairman of the Social Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu, Toomas Vilosius, and by representatives of local governments as well as of NGO-s.
As the President noted, the rapid spread of drug abuse and HI-virus have become such a serious problem in Estonia that the efforts of only one ministry or separate enthusiasts will not suffice to solve the problem; also co-operation between many government agencies and NGO-s is needed.
Several participants of the discussion stressed that Estonia had to become aware of the approaching catastrophe due to the exploding number of drug addicts and HIV-positives, and that countermeasures had to be taken immediately. The measures and funds earmarked so far had been insufficient. Without intensifying preventive measures a progressing spread was to be feared, in which case the government would be unable to guarantee the medical treatment of the diseased.The treatment of 43 AIDS patients takes five million kroons at the moment but, there are more than 2000 HIV-carriers registered officially already.
The meeting came up with the idea that it was necessary to form an understanding in society of drug abuse being a disease, the victims of which should not be regarded as criminals. "Those people must not be cast aside," Professor of Sociology Mikk Titma stressed. Minister of Justice Märt Rask drew the attention to the fact that, whereas our penal code was treating the drug addicts like criminals, the penalties for the drug traffickers were low. According to the Minister, the penalties for the drug dealers "trading in death" should be raised and the drug addicts should not be treated as criminals. In addition, negative and dismissive attitude to HIV-positives and individuals suffering from AIDS might cause them becoming dropouts.
The representative of the Association of Local Governments of Ida-Virumaa pointed out that the funds for the prevention of drug abuse and AIDS were extremely fragmented, and partly they were made available to organisations which were only interested in making money. Thus, it would be expedient to consolidate funds both allocated by the budget and received as supports, and to channel them on the basis of a concerted programme.
As a result, the meeting came to the conclusion that we are lacking co-ordinated actions rather than money. Therefore, also the idea was supported to establish with the Ministry of Social Affairs a council for the purpose of unifying the efforts of relevant institutions. The given co-ordinating council should be comprised of the representatives of ministries, local governments, NGO-s and the Riigikogu.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, March 14, 2002
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