National Drug Council president Fidias Aristy says that around 200,000 Dominican students are involved in drugs and crime.
Speaking to the Senate Permanent Education Committee, chaired by Manuel Paula, he said that the rate of drugs being used in state schools, colleges and night schools around the country was a major cause for concern.
Fidias Aristy told the committee members that the highest rate of drug use was found among adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19, whereas only 3% in the over 20 age group used drugs.
Manuel Paula called on parents to become more involved in their children’s education and to try and keep them away from using drugs.
Senators Rafael Vargas, Amarilis Santana, Felix Maria Nova, Ivonne Chahin Sasso and Jose Maria Sosa were present at the meeting. The commission chairman said that they hoped that Education Minister Carlos Amarante Baret would be present to discuss the issue next week.
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2014/9/17/337982/200-mil-jovenes-estan-metidos-en-las-drogas