drugs

Greek police arrest members of criminal group linked with sports violence

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Greek police arrest members of criminal group linked with sports violence

Greek police have arrested 63 people on charges of being members of a criminal organization with links to sports violence.

You should retract Mr Hartsiotis

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You should retract Mr Hartsiotis

The Minister of Justice criticized the media for complaining about the lack of information from the Police, calling their statements ill-advised and unacceptable. The Cyprus Police have been accused of concealing serious cases from the public, with the Minister suggesting that the media only focuses on the negatives. Journalists have the right to criticize and use independent sources in democracies, unlike in totalitarian regimes.

Our View: Politicians can, ’t resist the urge to engage in drug alarmism

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Our View: Politicians can, ’t resist the urge to engage in drug alarmism

Politicians and media tend to blow matters related to drug use out of proportion, despite the fact that statistics do not support the idea of a drug problem in schools. In the past three years, the Drug Squad sent an average of one student per public school to detox programs each year, indicating that the issue may not be as widespread as portrayed. Youth often agree to participate in these programs as a condition for not being charged, rather than because they are addicts in need of help.

Stelios Aristeidou: Smugglers from unstable regions have come to Cyprus

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Stelios Aristeidou: Smugglers from unstable regions have come to Cyprus

The YKAN has reported an increase in individuals involved in drugs and crime settling in Cyprus after the war in Ukraine and due to political instability in the region. Foreigners make up a significant percentage of those involved in drug-related cases, with drug seizures reaching record levels in recent years. YKAN is working to address the rise in minors involved in illegal activities by focusing on providing help and treatment rather than stigmatizing them as lawbreakers. They are mapping out schools and areas frequented by juveniles to monitor the situation closely.

‘I wouldn’t do it to my own kids’

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‘I wouldn’t do it to my own kids’

Fact: Panayiota Demetriou is the only lacemaker left in the village of Kato Drys.

Worrying figures over student drug abuse

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Worrying figures over student drug abuse

Over the past three years, 420 secondary school students were referred for drug treatment programs.

Primary school sexual violence case reported to parliament

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Primary school sexual violence case reported to parliament

A 10-year-old student was the tragic protagonist of an extreme case of sexual violence in a primary school reported to the Education Committee of the Parliament. The incident was discussed during a session on misconduct in schools attended by the Ministers of Justice and Education. It was highlighted that primary school students often strip or intimidate their classmates, with drugs circulating in school yards. The responsibility to address these issues lies with the Police, especially when educators fail to report incidents. The Justice Minister mentioned a transitional solution for detaining juvenile offenders until 2026 and emphasized the implementation of the law of 2021, which includes sending young individuals to therapeutic programs. The Education Minister noted the difference between violence/bullying and sexual abuse in schools, urging educators and children to break their silence on the latter. The Police reported a decrease in registered cases involving individuals under 18 from 496 in 2021 to 393 in 2023.