Arina Aamir, primary school student and city council representative in Oslo (H) was invited to the public meeting “Together on substance abuse prevention efforts in Hallingdal” under the auspices of Halling health at Gol school.
Photo: Anna Huseby
Arina Aamir (18) is concerned about the wave of cocaine that is sweeping through Oslo’s youth. The lecture made an impression on the Russians in Hallingdal.
– The borders have moved, and what used to be an Oslo problem is increasingly a nationwide problem.
This is how secondary school student and city council representative in Oslo, Arina Aamir, opened her lecture during the public meeting on drug prevention in Hallingdal. She was invited together with SLT coordinator Ole Reidar Lågrinn and Kari Birgit Møllerplass from the police to enter the evening with their thoughts. Hallinghelse was behind the event at Gol school.
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Many people turned up when Hallinghelse invited a public meeting about drug prevention efforts in Hallingdal. Among them were four local Russian girls, who postponed the pre-game before the day off in order to take part in the debate.
Photo: Anna Huseby
Dark image of the capital
Aamir has been a clear and young voice in the national debate about drugs among young people. She drew a disturbing picture of the capital. Cocaine use has exploded and younger children are being recruited into the criminal environment to run a saloon. It is especially those who fell behind in school and local communities who are vulnerable to coming into contact with such networks.
– These environments are always two notches ahead when it comes to inclusion. They step in where society has failed, said Aamir.
In Oslo, the debate often revolves around the east/west divide. But the district also has a family with a low income and those with a higher income. Aamir believes that similar trends can be seen outside the city: young people from low-income families drink less, but sell more. Young people from well-off homes get drunk more, but there are fewer who sell.
– Drugs show a difference in status and income, she stated.
Section leader for patrol and preparedness in the police, Kari Birgit Møllerplass and SLT coordinator Ole Reidar Lågrinn also sat in the panel debate. 18-year-old Arina Aamir from Oslo received a lot of praise for her introduction.
Photo: Anna Huseby
– It happens here and now
Rush hour is a lucrative month for the criminal networks. Young people are not aware of how addictive cocaine, for example, is, believes Aamir.
– What young people know about drugs is what they learn from each other. They receive far too little information from responsible adults. The most important thing is no longer to prevent, but to fight. Because it actually happens here and now, said the 18-year-old.
What does cocaine do to the body?
Specialist in general medicine and leader of the medical association’s professional board, Ståle Sagabråten, was asked the question during the panel debate. This is how he took the short version:
– Cocaine is a central stimulant. You gain energy and self-confidence and become a “super version” of yourself. The intoxication comes quickly but does not last very long. The danger is that it is very addictive because it gives this “kick”. Heart rate increases and blood pressure rises. One can have an acute brain haemorrhage or heart attack. Another thing is that you become worse at judging speed, risk and danger. Injuries as a result of this are something that emergency departments often encounter.
– Then come the downturns, which for many can slip into depression. For boys, potency problems can appear quite early, and it is worth noting.
Advice for parents
The two local Russian girls Rakel Syversrudengen and Andrea Skredderberget Bergtun were invited to participate in the panel debate later that evening. They admitted that they were surprised by the post of Aamir, who is as old as themselves.
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– I think it is important to start with the fact that it is not as bad here as it sounds like it is in Oslo. There is no one in my immediate circle who does drugs. But yes, I have seen people who are high on things other than alcohol, opna Syversrudengen.
Both she and Bergtun encouraged parents to be supportive and open with their children. Create a safe framework for what you can tell and when you can call for help.
Rakel Syversrudengen and Andrea Skredderberget Bergtun participated in the panel debate.
Photo: Anna Huseby
What separates village and city?
After the panel debate, Hallingdølen asked the young people some questions. What differences do they see themselves between rural and urban areas?
– In the cities, there is much greater pressure to fit in with the various Russian groups, answered Russian president at Gol vgs, Ida Marie Nerheim. Oslo girl Arina Aamir agreed:
– Here there are not enough people to make the unhealthy groupings where it is about being as safe as possible. But we know that trends that start in the cities eventually spread to smaller areas.
Said in the debate: How can I prevent?
Kari Birgit Møllerplass, the police in Hallingdal:
– We need information, and we need them to report. If everyone thinks that “the police know this”, it is not certain that it will reach us at all.
Arina Aamir, primary school student and city council representative in Oslo:
– Soft and hard measures. Heavy drug addicts should get help, not punishment. Party dope, on the other hand, needs to be cracked down harder, in order to wake up young people to stop. Collaboration with private addiction care to reduce queues, and investment in youth races in collaboration with NAV, the police and child protection. And parents must stop believing that it does not apply to their children.
Andrea Skredderberget Bergtun, Russian in Hallingdal:
– Young people must learn more about the effects of the various drugs.
Heidi Granli, mayor of Gol and mother of young children:
– Parents must create acceptance that we care about each other’s children, and that it is permissible to speak out. It starts in kindergarten. The parent group must follow each other all the way until our children finish primary school.
Rakel Syversrudengen and Andrea Skredderberget Bergtun from this year’s Russian litter at Gol vgs.
Photo: Anna Huseby
Do lectures have an effect?
– What can young people from rural and urban areas learn from each other?
– I think we are becoming more observant and can think through what needs to be done to avoid it becoming as intense here, answered Andrea Skredderberget Bergtun.
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– Do such lectures work?
– Definitely. We had a lecture at school last year with a former drug addict who spoke openly and honestly about what he had taken and done. It made a huge impression, says Russian President Nerheim.
– Aamir talks about east and west in Oslo. Do they see a similar distinction here as well, between who sells and who uses?
– It is difficult to say. But it’s probably no secret that if you drop out of school and experience little mastery in life, you more easily come into contact with unhealthy networks, Bergtun replies.
