US diplomat regrets embellished Azeri drug addict tallies
The US embassy in Baku has extended an apology for
erroneously stating that drug addiction is widespread among
Azerbaijani students in a recent US State Department report.
"I apologize to the Azerbaijani public and students. The US government works hard and can make mistakes sometimes," said Terry Davidson, the embassy spokesman.
The annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report maintained that consumption of narcotics is increasing in Azerbaijan. It said 23,254 persons are registered as drug addicts in the country, though unofficial figures are estimated at about 300,000. The State Department said students are thought to be a large share of total drug abusers at 30-35 percent.
Azerbaijan’s Education Ministry has said there are only about 120,000 students in the country and saying 100,000 of them are drug addicts is absurd.
"I apologize to the Azerbaijani public and students. The US government works hard and can make mistakes sometimes," said Terry Davidson, the embassy spokesman.
The annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report maintained that consumption of narcotics is increasing in Azerbaijan. It said 23,254 persons are registered as drug addicts in the country, though unofficial figures are estimated at about 300,000. The State Department said students are thought to be a large share of total drug abusers at 30-35 percent.
Azerbaijan’s Education Ministry has said there are only about 120,000 students in the country and saying 100,000 of them are drug addicts is absurd.
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