Security company Viking Security has reported an increase this year in the number of cases in which minors openly sell or use drugs in shopping centres and entertainment venues in Estonia. This concerns not only cannabis but also harder narcotic substances, ERR News reports.
Case in Tartu
Sander Nurgamaa, head of Viking Security’s video surveillance centre, noted that drug use by young people is noticeable because of its stronger effect on their behaviour than alcohol. According to him, at one of the centres in Tartu, a group of young people entered a restroom, and after leaving, one of them fell down.
During a subsequent inspection, a small packet with traces of white powder was found in a snus container in the young people’s possession.
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Research data and the police position
Research by Estonia’s National Institute for Health Development shows that 30% of minors have used drugs at least once in their lives. Katri Abel-Ollo, head of the drugs department, said that there are few young people who do not consume alcohol but use drugs. At the same time, she added that the number of users has decreased over the past 12 months.
Police stressed that alcohol remains much more widespread among young people than drugs. Rait Pikaro, head of the criminal bureau of the Police and Border Guard Board’s Northern Prefecture, said that there are significantly more callouts involving young people intoxicated by alcohol, and callout statistics do not indicate a significant increase in drug use.
Viking Security, the police and the health development institute indicate that drugs have become more accessible through online sales. According to Pikaro, criminals can transfer substances through hiding places, receiving payment in cryptocurrency, while messengers on social networks facilitate such activity.
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