Local Debate Covers Anti-Drug Policies, Youth Engagement and Law Enforcement

‘About sixty people participated in the debate organized by the Lonate Circles of Alleanza Nazionale and Azione Giovani in the City Hall Council Chamber of Lonato. Guests included the Hon. Sandra Fei and the Hon. Nicola Carlesi, deputies of AN, Hon. Emilio Del Bono, representative of the Ppi, young DJ Mirco Dolci (who, with his friendliness and simplicity, aroused the interest of the young people present in the room), and two representatives of the Italian Local Dance Union: Renato Zecchi and Giuseppe Lannantuoni. There was perfect harmony among the speakers on the absolute opposition to drug liberalization, with no distinction between hard and soft drugs. Carlesi explained that recent studies have shown that cannabis, generally considered a harmless substance, actually contains a high level of THC and thus prepares the body for heroin addiction: “Everyone who has become heroin addicts,” he supported, “has gone through cannabis.”

Criticism and Interventions on the Anti-Drug Campaign

Sandra Fei criticized the Italian League’s leaflet fighting AIDS for emphasizing the pleasurable aspects of drugs, merely advising not to overdo it. Fei underscored the responsibilities of the Government, particularly Minister Bindi, regarding the dissemination of the leaflet. Del Bono responded clearly, aligning with the criticisms of the leaflet, but emphasizing that the Government had approved a document recommending not to emphasize harm reduction practices.

There followed a series of questions involving the speakers, the DJ, and also Franco Giandinoto, commander of the Desenzano Carabinieri Company. The captain provided an overview of activities carried out both repressively and preventively: 40 people arrested, 120 drug users reported, with a notable increase in ecstasy users. The captain also pledged commitment to information campaigns in schools, at the request of school principals and teachers worried about the spread of the phenomenon.

Opinions and Proposals on the Fight Against Drugs

An out-of-line contribution came from a young man who reproached AN for nominating Marco Taradash for the European elections. The reply came from Hon. Carlesi, who defended the role of the Italian right in the fight against drugs, the request made by AN for more personnel and resources to combat the phenomenon, and the legislative proposal, of which Carlesi is the lead sponsor, calling for drug addicts to be subjected to compulsory medical treatment and assessment.

DJ Mirco Dolci emphasized that meetings aimed at young people should be held inside schools and discotheques, to better engage them, and that ecstasy users do not see themselves as addicts and therefore do not think they need help. Dolci also criticized the anti-AIDS leaflet but approved of televised spots and those in nightclubs, considering them useful. Although pessimistic about the drug phenomenon, he expressed readiness to roll up his sleeves to fight its spread.

Sandra. The two representatives of nightclubs expressed satisfaction with AN’s proposal to exclude the Netherlands from the Schengen Treaty because that is where most of the drugs come from. “Young people are our clients,” explained Giuseppe Lannantuoni, “we are the first to want them to stay well. We have always been available to the law enforcement agencies and will continue to be.”

– “We provide work,” explained Renato Zecchi, “to 250,000 people, like Fiat. For a few rotten apples, we shouldn’t blame all young people, and the Government should ensure that once drug traffickers are caught, they remain in prison.”