“Drugs are a real nightmare, but we will defeat them” REPORTAGE / At the hospital among young people admitted while battling heroin More than 20 people die every year “Suicide: a frightening trend” TIRANA - Suicide, the tragic solution to problems for many young people caught up in the dilemmas of adolescence. A glass of water in which toxic poison has been dissolved. This is the end of an unfulfilled teenage love affair, or of an argument in the family. Every year in Albania, more than 500 people end up in hospitals after attempting to kill themselves with toxic substances. At least 20 of them die; most, around 65 percent, are girls under the age of 18. This year alone, Foshtoksina, a dangerous toxic substance, has caused 15 deaths, mainly among adolescents. Doctors say that the most common concerns driving young people to suicide are problems associated with their age, involving love and disagreements in the family, which lead to psychological problems and can end in suicide. Doctors also insist that an information center should be established as soon as possible for the chemical substances circulating in our country and used in agriculture. This center, the doctors say, would provide initial information on what family members should do when someone has been poisoned, which would reduce the number of deaths. TIRANA - Drug addicts are besieging hospitals. In recent days alone, five young people have been admitted to the Toxicology Clinic in Tirana. Several rooms in the ward on the third floor of this clinic have been made available to drug addicts who have finally understood that they cannot escape drugs without the help of doctors. Drug addicts are also treated in our hospitals. One of them issued an appeal on TV, and others rushed to be admitted; they are all 16–18 years old and regularly use heroin. They have tried several times to quit drugs on their own but have been unable to, falling back into their clutches again. Now they have decided to isolate themselves in the clinic’s rooms. But they do not hesitate to describe how they entered the white hell. For them, drugs are no longer a shameful secret to hide, but an illness to fight—and everyone must contribute to that effort. Some of them, admitted several days ago, seem to have won the battle, while others have only just begun. Doctor Sulaj with one of the patients (photo: P. Ilo) On page 7 Doctor Sulaj with one of the patients (photo: P. Ilo)

Yesterday’s vote by the deputies TIRANA - Last night Albania ratified the European Convention on Human Rights. It was 20:43 when the 100 deputies’ votes in favor said “yes” to the foundational document of European democracy. Thus, a secure gateway is opened for Albanians of all backgrounds, one that will protect their freedoms and rights at all times, half a century after the birth of the foundational document of civilised Europe. On page 3

Pëllumbi: “I am surprised by the words directed at me” The deputy chairman’s first comment on the leader’s third message The PS leadership “We appreciate

SPECTACLE An increasingly widespread phenomenon. In Durrës, a designer uses his own trademark.

FIER On page 5

TIRANA — We cannot confirm anything, say officials at the Fisheries Directorate — tests will soon be carried out in the Shkodra Lagoon On page 7

TIRANA — “We appreciate the efforts of the US and Europe to restore the democratic values that were severely damaged in Albania in the elections of May 26 this year.” The Socialists have once again expressed their high regard for the steps taken so far by the US administration and European institutions — the OSCE, the Council of Europe, and the European Parliament. On page 3

Servet Pëllumbi Fatos Nano TIRANA — “The Socialist Party, as we know, under its chairman Fatos Nano, is contradictory in the messages he has put out.” This is how vice-chairman Servet Pëllumbi — the party’s leading figure since Nano’s imprisonment — chose to comment on the third message to come out from behind the bars of Bënça. Meanwhile, the PS leadership, which had also remained in session in the morning, called the labels used by the party’s number one in his latest message unacceptable. “Nano should not address the party with words like that,” members of the Socialists’ leading group said. But despite the dissatisfaction expressed during the meeting, the leadership chose to “abandon” its line of harsh opposition to Nano. “He is in prison, so he is being given leeway,” they said. On page 3

Italian blitz: 42 Albanian undocumented migrants are also detained. An inflatable boat is seized . On page 2

at the beach On page 5 KORÇË Prefecture against illegal work On page 5

On page 5

LEZHË — Sharks have arrived in Lezhë. The sensational news comes from two sources; a fisherman, a president, saw the sea monster very close to his boat as they were going out and catching in that area. One perhaps to por- FROM VLORE Lezhë, sharks arrive “It was big and came very close to me” LEZHË — Sharks have arrived in Lezhë. The sensational news comes from two sources; a fisherman, a president, saw the sea monster very close to his boat as they were going out and catching in that area, one perhaps to por- [part difficult to read] ... [left-column text partly illegible] Sharks caught in Vlora According to the fisherman, the shark was two and a half metres long and may have weighed up to 200 kilograms. It was only 200 metres from the shore, at a place called “Këna e hedhun”, near Shëngjin. Twenty-four hours earlier, the fisherman had given another account of the presence of the monsters of the deep near the Albanian coast. Some of them claim that on Monday evening they hauled up in their nets one of the small, newborn sharks, which one of the young fishermen photographed in the town. According to the fishermen, for at least three days no fish have been caught in their nets, and the decline in fish along the Albanian coast may be due to the sharks’ approach. Two months ago, two kings of the waters had washed up dead on the coast of Vlora. Irfan Rama

The leadership has still not decided on Mema’s successor No name yet for Tirana’s bench The Whites and Blues continue training under Zengal TIRANA — A meeting lasting an hour and a half, yet no name for Tirana’s bench; they are still without a coach, a cause for concern among the Whites and Blues. Training has continued as usual under Zengala, while the leadership has provided no information regarding a possible replacement for Mema. Thus, the team will take the field today at Selman Stërmasi for its first preparatory test ahead of next season’s matches against Vllaznia, without a coach, although Zengala has continued to train systematically with the team throughout the week. The meeting of Tirana club’s leadership lasted more than 90 minutes, but in the end there was no announcement about the name of their new coach. It was a 90-minute meeting that ended in a 0–0 draw, so to speak: no decision was made about who will occupy Tirana’s bench next season. “It was an ordinary meeting, at which many issues concerning the new football season were discussed,” Tirana president Metush Seferi told Gazeta Shqiptare. But he could not hide that, among the pressing issues — although he tried to downplay its importance — was the question of replacing Mema. “Yes, this issue was discussed too, just like all the other issues concerning the smooth running of the championship,” he continued. However, he did not want to give any names for the post. Although the matter of the bench is expected to be resolved, this has dra-

TIRANE - Richard has triumphed in the road cycling race. In the final sprint, he easily beat Sorensen of Denmark, who consoled himself by resting his hands on the handlebars, and Mixhillian Schiand, an Italian naturalized as British. Argentina became the first finalist in the women’s football tournament. Pasales have shown that gymnastics and weightlifting are very strong and continue to amaze Atlanta with their spectacle. The “beauties” featured in a match without scoring, but one that was applauded more than a real competition. The “strongmen” amazed everyone with their 19 records, which reached their climax on the final day with the Weller–Chemorkin duel. Bubka has bid the Olympics goodbye. An injury to his Achilles tendon prevented him from taking part in the qualifying events. Naum Krasniqi in the boxing semifinals. On page 6

Mystery still surrounds the eels

Prefecture