Characteristics and social representation of ecstasy in Europe - Irefrea

objectives of use reduction and harm minimisation. Campaigns of this type are to befound mainly in Portugal and Spain.The direction we will take in the future is an interesting question and it is not an easyone to answer, in spite of some experience on the subject. The effectiveness of thesecampaigns has not been evaluated and, in addition, the description of the syntheticdrugs phenomenon is still incomplete. The enemy to be fought is a new one, and thefield of prevention has not always advanced along secure paths, with empiricalfoundations, to be in a position to propose solutions. Moreover, this is a field whereideologies carry great weight and, at times, the solutions proposed are a response tocertain undemonstrated aphorisms or they form part of a broader strategy whichincludes the supposed preventive action. On occasions, the professionals themselvesabandon determined positions which, in the long run, makes dialogue difficult betweenthe professional world, society and politicians, as the respective roles are not clear-cut.From our point of view, we feel that we should opt for a policy which combines thedifferent strategies which have been discussed here. Obviously, it would have to beadapted to the peculiarities, experience and history of each place. The advantages of acombined model are to be found on different levels:It takes into account non-users of this type of substance when they share or do notshare the same context as the users (the impression that “everybody” takes them, apartfrom not being true, may induce non-users to experiment under the fictitious impressionthat it is quite normal behaviour).It avoids the fear of inviting use which is the accusation levelled against campaignswhose sole objective is harm minimisation.It can have an affect on non-users, reinforcing their behaviour, and even to the extentthat they exert pressure on users by showing them the dangers they run.It can include all the typical harm minimisation strategies for those who decide tocontinue taking drugs, within a wider preventive framework.It does not preclude the provision of measures encouraging users to give up theiruse, in accordance with a desire expressed buy a large number of users in this survey.All sectors of society (family, school, journalists...) can be mobilised and the tasksand responsibilities of each sector analysed.Investigating the role to be played by repressive measures which would go on toform part of an integrated discussion. In this way, repressive measures become just onemore facet of prevention so that it is not outsiders who react to the problem by applyingrepressive measures in isolation. Such measures can be analysed by those running theprevention campaigns amid discussion on what part they can play within preventivestrategies.It takes into account all legal and illegal drugs which, nowadays, form part of thesame context and the same problem, as this present survey shows.213