ČR lacks early warning system for alcohol, official says

Prague, Sept 16 (CTK) - The Czech Republic has a drug early warning system, but it does not have it for alcohol, national drug coordinator Jindrich Voboril told CTK yesterday, adding that he believes if this system existed, the current methanol scandal would not have gone so far and prohibition would not be needed.

Twenty people have died of methanol poisoning since September 6 and 38 others are in hospital. A nationwide ban on the sales and serving of drinks with more than 20 percent of alcohol was introduced on Friday evening.

Voboril said he wants to propose steps which he believes could now minimise the risks to Prime Minister Petr Necas on Monday.

Drugs early warning system functions on both domestic and international levels.

The Czech Republic has a group of representatives of ministries and experts and if a death from a drug is reported, the news is immediately passed on and foreign countries are aslo also informed.

If another one or two victims are reported, media are informed and they warn the public.

"The danger is eliminated right at the beginning this way," Voboril said.

He said a similar system exists for bad foods and other products about which sanitary commissioners warn.

Voboril said sellers usually cooperate with epidemiologists in uncovering the danger, but this does not apply to the police because they fear possible punishment and prefer to hide all that is suspicious.

Voboril said this may slow down the finding of the methanol source now.

The police are doing their utmost to find the perpetrators and the source, deputy police president and head of the Metyl team set up to investigate the case, said yesterday.

He said the investigation has progressed from sellers to dealers and continues towards the supplier of raw materials.

Voboril said some ten people are poisoned with methanol in the Czech Republic annually and about three people die.