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Asunciòn (Agenzia Fides) - Every day, the National Center for Drug Addiction in Paraguay receives hundreds of people with drug problems. However, the most alarming phenomenon is the many street children who go there to be treated. They start consuming mainly glue, then marijuana, and finally more harmful drugs and especially cheap drugs, such as crack. Many of these children are victims of micro-traffickers, who "pay them with a little of what they sell" as long as they persuade other children to make use of it and make them become customers.
According to the news sent to Fides, at present there are 12 children in the Center from 7 to 14 years of age. Since the beginning of the year, more than 184 adult patients have been admitted, as well as 147 young people and 355 pediatric cases. Once the child is admitted, after a series of psychological tests, the operators pass on to the second stage, the most difficult, which is abstinence. Often, unfortunately, the victims interrupt therapy, become aggressive and violent, and abandon the center. There are 142 operators engaged in the assistance. It is the only center at a national level, although there are other private ones, but they are not affordable due to the high costs. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 22/6/2017)
