This sociological study was carried out after the increase in reports about schoolchildren poisoned by narcotic substances, and when the Seimas began considering amendments to the law to allow schools to check students’ belongings for cigarettes and narcotic substances.
According to survey data, 37.8 percent of respondents believe that the drug problem would be most effectively solved if the police, schools and other institutions were given more control rights and opportunities to check minors.
Almost a third of the population (31%) considers the fight against drug dealers to be the most effective tool.
28.2 percent according to the respondents, the problem of drug use would be best solved by promoting the employment of children and adolescents and improving education.
The rest of the respondents said that there was no need to change anything, or they had no opinion on the matter.
Differences of opinion – according to age, education, place of residence
Table of Contents
- 1 Differences of opinion – according to age, education, place of residence
- 2 Both hard and soft measures should be applied
- 3 It is suggested not to abuse minors’ verification
- 4 The most common case of prevention is a drawing competition
- 5 Drugs will account for one-tenth of crimes
- 6 The exact results of the study:
Judging by individual social groups, the most supportive of drug testing of minors are those aged 60-69, or those with an income of less than 400 euros, or respondents with secondary, higher and special secondary education.
Promoting the employment of children and teenagers and improving education as the most effective means in the fight against drug use are mostly seen by schoolchildren and students, residents under the age of 29 and those with higher education.
Respondents aged 70 and older believe that in order to solve the problem of drug use, it is necessary to fight against drug dealers, as do businessmen or business owners.
The survey also showed that residents of Vilnius name education as the most effective tool, while residents of all other areas name inspection.
Those who vote for the Party of Regions of Lithuania, the Fatherland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats, are the most in favor of checking minors. At that time, the improvement of education and the promotion of employment of children and teenagers are supported by the voters of the Freedom Party and the Liberal Movement.
The fight against drug dealers is supported by those who vote for the Labor Party and the People and Justice Union.
Both hard and soft measures should be applied
The interim head of the Department of Drug, Tobacco and Alcohol Control, Gražina Belian, said that the results of the survey are not surprising, and added that she advocates the use of hard and soft measures to combat the problem of drug use.
“Taking into account the good practices of other countries, (…) the problems that Lithuania is facing, I would not say that we are exceptional in some way,” G. Belian told BNS this week.
According to her, more attention should be paid not only to reducing the availability of drugs, but also to reducing the supply. According to G. Belian, the measures should also be focused on education, involving the school, parents and the community.
“The role of the police is certainly important, but now again that good practice shows that perhaps we are moving away from such a stereotypical attitude that the police must necessarily be the punisher, the applyer of those strict measures,” G. Belian said.
According to the interim head of the department, police officers could become advisers to the school and the community, who would be approached for advice.
“Recently, such a problem has emerged that parents may not know how to communicate with their children about psychoactive substances, so once again parents need to be educated on how and what to talk to their children,” G. Belian said.
It is suggested not to abuse minors’ verification
Dainius Žvirdauskas, president of the Association of School Heads, director of the KTU Engineering Lyceum, also believes that complex measures are needed to solve the problem of drug use.
However, he added that he is more in favor of soft measures and would see the screening of minors as an effective measure in exceptional cases.
“I would not be against the use of such a tool (checking minors – BNS), but I would certainly not abuse this tool in schools.” Only in the most necessary cases, if there is really a reasonable suspicion, and I would still communicate, I would seek communication with the parents, and now that can be done with the consent of the parents,” said D. Žvirdauskas to BNS this week.
The president of the association considers formal and non-formal education as an important tool, but according to him, it will not be effective if parents do not cooperate with the school.
“One of the most universal and resilient measures would be to have and build relationships based on trust in the family and at school. If the students have favorable conditions in the family, they trust their parents and if there comes one or another moment of offering distribution, they immediately speak up and immediately the school reacts, the family reacts, they take certain measures”, said D. Žvirdauskas.
According to him, in order to increase the employment of children, full-day schools could operate not only from the first to the fourth grade, but also from the fifth to the eighth.
“(…) The diversity of circles is very important. Yes, we have basketball, one of the most popular sports in Lithuania, but basketball requires certain data from a teenager, so I would urge both the school and the parents to find ways to occupy the child after school”, said the president of the association.
The most common case of prevention is a drawing competition
The vice-president of the Lithuanian School Students’ Union (LMS) Emilis Mikulskis claimed that the majority of the Lithuanian population supports the screening of minors, because they receive information about such a measure.
“If people were to receive information that there are other prevention measures – employment and everything else – it would probably be a completely different assessment, but as we can see, it is much less talked about than checking backpacks, police on duty at schools”, – E. Mikulskis said this week to BNS.
He also said that he believed that hard and soft measures should be balanced, adding that they should be applied taking into account different groups of students.
“There are very different groups – those who do not use, and the aim is to protect them so that they do not start using drugs. (…) There are students who have already tried, but maybe they are not necessarily addicted, but they have already encountered narcotic substances and they have already entered their body”, said E. Mikulskis.
According to the LMS vice president, this would result in “absolute zero benefit” from screening minors as an intervention.
“No doubt it’s important, but it’s not prevention,” he said.
E. Mikulskis said that increasing the employment of schoolchildren is a significant measure, and improving education, according to him, must be consistent.
“The most common case of the prevention type is drawing contests in schools,” said the vice president of LMS.
Drugs will account for one-tenth of crimes
According to the information of the Minister of the Interior, Agnes Bilotaitė, this year until the middle of September, 75 minors are suspected of having committed a criminal act related to the possession of drugs. There were 150 of them in the entire past year.
A total of 2,730 criminal acts related to drugs and their smuggling were registered this year.
Kęstutis Budrys, President Gitanas Nausėda’s chief advisor on national security issues, said at the beginning of October that drug use among teenagers is no longer just a national problem, it crosses the threshold of national security.
At that time, he said that the head of the country intends to present initiatives for changes in legislation regarding the application of hard measures.
Currently, possession of a small amount of any narcotic substances is punishable by criminal liability.
At that time, the Seimas aims to provide that the illegal production, processing, acquisition, storage, transportation or sending of a small amount of hemp, hemp oil, resin, extracts or tinctures without the purpose of distribution would be provided for in the Code of Administrative Offenses.
The Minister of Education, Science and Sports Gintautas Jakštas has said that the only effective measure against the use of drugs by minors is prevention, and that teachers should not “become officers” and check students’ belongings, as they do not have the competence to identify narcotic substances.
Police Commissioner General Renatas Požėla said that drug-related crimes will account for about a tenth of all registered criminal acts after this year.
The exact results of the study:
In the Vilmorus survey, respondents were asked:
In your opinion, which measure would be the most effective in solving the problem of drug use by minors?
Answers:
1. Give the police, schools and other institutions more control rights and opportunities to check minors – 37.8 percent.
2. To promote the employment of children and adolescents, to improve education – 28.2 percent.
3. Fight against drug dealers – 31 percent.
4. Nothing needs to be changed – 0.9 percent.
5. I have no opinion – 2.2 percent.
The public opinion and market research center “Vilmorus” conducted a representative public survey on October 12-21, communicating with respondents live and by phone. During it, 1001 inhabitants of the country were interviewed in 24 cities and over 40 villages. The poll’s maximum error is 3.1 percent.
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#dealing #drug #problem #majority #population #supports #testing #minors
2024-09-06 06:59:24
Here is a comprehensive and SEO-optimized article on the topic of drug use among schoolchildren and public opinions on how to address the issue:
Tackling Drug Use Among Schoolchildren: Public Opinions and Experts’ Insights
In recent years, Lithuania has seen a surge in reports of schoolchildren poisoned by narcotic substances, prompting the Seimas to consider amendments to the law allowing schools to check students’ belongings for cigarettes and narcotic substances. In light of this issue, a sociological study was conducted to gauge public opinion on the most effective ways to tackle drug use among minors.
Public Opinion: Tougher Measures vs. Education and Employment
According to the survey, 37.8% of respondents believe that giving police, schools, and other institutions more control and opportunities to check minors is the most effective way to solve the drug problem. Almost a third of the population (31%) thinks that fighting against drug dealers is the most effective tool, while 28.2% believe that promoting employment and education among children and adolescents is the key to addressing the issue.
Differences of Opinion: Age, Education, and Place of Residence
The survey revealed that opinions on how to tackle drug use among schoolchildren vary depending on age, education, and place of residence. For instance, those aged 60-69, with an income of less than 400 euros, or with secondary, higher, and special secondary education are more supportive of drug testing of minors. Schoolchildren and students, residents under the age of 29, and those with higher education, on the other hand, believe that promoting employment and education is the most effective way to address the issue.
Experts’ Insights: A Balance of Hard and Soft Measures
Gražina Belian, the interim head of the Department of Drug, Tobacco and Alcohol Control, stresses that both hard and soft measures should be applied to combat drug use among schoolchildren. She advocates for a comprehensive approach that involves not only reducing the availability of drugs but also educating the school, parents, and the community. Belian suggests that police officers could become advisers to the school and the community, providing guidance and support rather than just enforcing strict measures.
Avoiding Abuse of Minors’ Verification
Dainius Žvirdauskas, president of the Association of School Heads, also believes that complex measures are needed to solve the problem of drug use. While he is not opposed to drug testing of minors, he emphasizes that it should only be used in exceptional cases and with the consent of parents. Žvirdauskas stresses the importance of formal and non-formal education, but notes that it will only be effective if parents cooperate with the school.
Building Trust and Relationships
Both experts agree that building trust and relationships between students, parents, and schools is crucial in addressing drug use among schoolchildren. By fostering a supportive environment and encouraging open communication, schools can play a vital role in preventing drug use and promoting healthy lifestyles among students.
Conclusion
The issue of drug use among schoolchildren is a complex one that requires a multifaceted approach. While public opinion is divided on the most effective way to tackle the problem, experts agree that a balance of hard and soft measures, coupled with education, employment, and trust-building, is the key to addressing this pressing issue.
Keywords: drug use, schoolchildren, public opinion, Lithuania, education, employment, drug testing, minors, police, school, community, trust, relationships.
