Island connections 784 FLN 51

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www.islandconnections.eu

1984-2016

051 €1.80

784

November 24 – December 7, 2016 NINE BOROUGHS

OPERATION TEATRERO

HEALTH

TRAVEL

Excessive fluoride in water

Drugs ring busted

Gambia, no problem!

Changing your tune

Page 8

Page 13

Pages 14 & 15

Pages 36 & 37

DRINK DAMAGE

GROWING INEQUALITY

Living in the bottle The Canarian health authority treated over 3,000 people for alcoholism across the Islands last year. According to a recent report released by the Ministry of Health for the Canary Islands government, the Department for Alcohol and Drug Dependency (UAD) helped 3,062 patients suffering with excessive alcohol use, which is 20.27 per cent higher than in 2014. Authorities communicated the important message that over consumption has enormous repercussions on public health and is considered the third highest risk factor for premature death and disabilities.

Fight against child poverty

Photo: BocaDorada CC A-S A 2.0 GL

Continued on page two

A large number of Canarian teenagers congregate in public areas to socialise while drinking alcohol

Over 130,000 children are affected by poverty in the Canary Islands

Over 130,000 children are affected by poverty in the Canary Islands, according to a statement released by the ASG (Agrupación Socialista Gomera). “Second only to Andalusia, the Canaries are the Spanish autonomous region most affected by severe poverty”, said representative of the organisation, Melodie

Mendoza, recently. Evidently, more than 10 per cent of families in the archipelago have to survive on less than €332 a month, meaning that over 130,000 children are living on the fringes of society. Difficulties that can arise from this situation are probably clear to most people. In the statement, Mendoza demanded greater dedication to

finding solutions, especially from Island and City administrations. “We need help”, she stated, simply. Amongst other initiatives, the group is calling for free admission of children under three years of age into day-care centres, as well as an increase in relevant grants, and financial support for those who have two children or more.

Mendoza and her colleagues are insisting that arrangements should be put into place immediately, or the loss of a whole generation could be at stake. “Children today are living in poorer conditions than their parents - incredible in our time. This cannot and must not be”, she implored. Continued on page two


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