– People talk about it, like it happens all the time, and that you see cocaine everywhere you turn. Manda Heien is vice president for Russian at Sam Eyde upper secondary school in Arendal. She and the entire Russian class have been looking forward to celebrating the end of 13 years of schooling for a long time. But lately, many negative headlines about cocaine use by young people have put a damper on the celebrations. Russ news has spoken to says, among other things, that the parents no longer trust them because of many media reports. – I have never seen anyone take cocaine, says Heien. The Russians believe this is a completely wrong picture of what they themselves experience. Many still admit that they know someone who has taken cocaine. Manda Heien believes that the way the Russians are referred to has been unfair. Photo: Ada Bjøranger / news Many people know about drug use According to a survey carried out by news, more than half of Russians answer that they know that drugs are used at Russian parties. The survey was carried out at upper secondary schools in Viken. Approximately 41,000 students were asked in the survey and 5,200 responded. Two thirds of those who answered are girls. It appears that a tenth of the Russian cohort who responded to the survey say that they themselves have used drugs. Among the third-graders who answer that they have used drugs at Russian parties, almost 80 percent answer that it is cocaine. According to the Russians’ own answers, it is therefore more widespread than cannabis. Tired of negative publicity In Kristiansand, too, the Russians are in despair. Thea Holbek is a student at Kristiansand Cathedral School Gimle (KKG). She feels there will be a new thing to complain about with every Russian litter. Where in the past there has been exclusion, drunkenness and coarse Russian songs, this year the theme is drugs and cocaine. She believes that the Russian gets an unnecessary amount of negative publicity. – People who talk about it often have no idea. A lot of things don’t add up, and it’s not our words, she says. Cocaine use among young people was the topic of the Debate on Tuesday evening. Here “Martin” (23) said that he takes cocaine at parties several times a week. Thea Holbek acknowledges that there is cocaine among the Russians and that it must be dealt with, but that there are far fewer of them than the image created in the media. – It sounds like almost 90 percent of the students who go here use cocaine. That’s not true. I am afraid that it will affect those of us who do not take it. The Russian at Sam Eyde also agrees that cocaine is more normalized, but that most people stay away. – What is normalized is the way you react to it. You don’t go around and “shame” people who do it, says Alexander Teigen Stølefjell. They think it’s funny that all Russians are put in the same booth. – There is still a large minority who do it, but then it gets inflated because someone few take that step, says William Alexander Paul. A spring phenomenon Drug researcher and professor at the University of Agder, Kristian Mjåland, has thrown himself into the debate about drugs and cocaine use. He has written several articles in Fædrelandsvennen about cocaine use among young people. He understands that the Russian is tired of getting a “cocaine stamp”. – In the media, you get the impression that we are in a violent cocaine epidemic, and that very many young people are using it. He believes that criticism of Russia has almost become a spring phenomenon. – When the crocus blooms and the migratory birds arrive, the criticism of the Russian comes. He adds that there may be good reasons to criticize, but understands that Russians find it frustrating. – We as a society may have to ask ourselves why we are always stressed about what the Russians are doing. Kristian Mjåland is a drug researcher and sociologist. He wants less moralism and more factual news about drugs. Photo: Ina Marie Sigurdsen / news Cocaine most popular The latest Ungdata surveys show a small increase in the use of narcotic drugs that are stronger than cannabis, and that illegal drugs are easier to get hold of. Mjåland says that the figures on cocaine use among young may be deficient. But the figures that are available indicate that the increase is not as violent as the impression is created in the media, according to him. – That does not mean that we should not take this seriously, but I think it is important that we are a little sober when it comes to young people and drugs. Important voices Head of department at the preventive department in Agder police district Cathrine Fossnes, says it is important that Russian voices are heard in such a case. – The police are under the impression that there is a minority who use cocaine, but we do not have an overview or knowledge of how many actually use. The police receive tips about cocaine use in youth groups, including among Russians. – The vast majority of Russians are handsome and pleasant young people. Our approach is to identify who creates challenges. Then we can introduce targeted measures against those who actually constitute the problem. Cathrine Fossnes is head of the preventive department in Agder police district. Photo: Svein Sundsdl / news
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– I have never seen cocaine – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
