Czechs top Global Vice Index

Prague/New York, May 2 (CTK) - Czech national anti-drug coordinator Jindrich Voboril told CTK yesterday that proposals to restrict alcohol drinking and the use of drugs are being prepared, in reaction to the release by Bloomberg agency of a survey in which the Czech Republic scored uneviable primacy.

The survey focused on four fields: alcohol consumption, cigarettes, drugs and gambling.

The Czech Republic in first position among 57 countries got some 69 points, Slovakia placed 18th with 47 points.

The survey made on the 15 to 64 age category used data gathered by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations and other specialised organisations.

It assessed consumption per capita per year.

The Czech Republic placed first in average alcohol consumption (16.5 litres) and fifth in smoking (2368 cigarettes).

In the drugs category, the Czech Republic placed second after the United States. According to the survey, 21.6 percent of people in the surveyed age category use a drug.

Bloomberg placed the Czech Republic in first position in marijuana consumption (15.2 percent), second position in ecstasy (3.6 percent) and 6th position in amphetamines use (1.7 percent).

The Czech Republic only does not figure among the first ten countries in the consumption of cocaine and opiates.

Voboril said no one has been dealing on a long-time basis with alcohol consumption and related problems and that Czech society is tolerant towards alcohol drinking.

Even children drink beer, wine and hard alcohol, Voboril said.

A European school study on drug use (ESPAD) showed that the number of 16-year-old children drinking regularly has been increasing.

In 1995, 14 percent of them got drunk minimally three times in the past month, last year it was 20 percent already.

Voboril said under the prepared measures operators of bars, restaurants and clubs should be fined not only for serving alcohol to juveniles, but also for the presence of drunk children in their facilities.

"We want to continue taking measures. We will also focus on advertising and on places where alcohol is sold," Voboril said, adding that not only repressive, but also preventative measures are being prepared.