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Clubs and health ministry join forces to fight drug abuse

TWO hundred clubs belonging to the Balearic Association of Night Clubs and Discos yesterday pledged their support to rid the club scene of drugs and train staff in how to act in cases of overdoses. Details were spelled out in an agreement signed by Pedro Vidal, the association's chairman, and Aina Castillo, the Balearic health minister.
The cost of the campaign, a pioneer scheme in Spain, is 12'000 euros which will be split between the association and the ministry.
Up to 1'000 posters, with fluorescent lettering and texts in six languages, will warn of the dangers of drug and alcohol use and abuse. In addition, 2'000 stickers and 35'000 beer mats with the same slogans will be distributed, the message being that you do not need drugs to have a good time. Castillo stressed the importance of the initiative in clubs which are frequented by young people and where the consequences of drug abuse can most often be seen. Another aspect of the campaign is that special training courses will be held for staff, so that they can recognise the symptoms of drug abuse. They will also receive first aid training so that they can help in such situations until the paramedics arrive.
Castillo praised the “sensitivity” of the club owners in backing the campaign, while Vidal said it will put an end to the belief that club owners are permissive over drug taking. Bartomeu Jaume, the regional co-ordinator for drug problems, said that the campaign is part of the preventive measures laid down in the law on drug dependency which was approved last July.