An event in the harbour in Kato Paphos on Sunday tomorrow will encourage young people to stay away from drugs.

Chrysanthous Savvides of the Paphos youth council said: "We organise this event every year as an anti drugs message. It will be set in front of castle, and there will be beach soccer, beach volley, break dance, music and refreshments and we are encouraging all the young people to come.

"We want to send a powerful message to the young people who are thinking about drugs, to stay away from using them."

The event is organised by the municipality of Paphos youth council, the youth council of Cyprus and the Vera Paisi organisation.

Savvides said there were a lot of other things for people to do with their lives.

“They can improve their knowledge. It’s not about just sitting in front of a computer or using drugs. Young people have to realise the time of our lives is very short and, we must invest in ourselves for a better life in the future,” he said.

Savvides acknowledged that drug abuse is a problem across the globe, but admitted that it has become worse in Cyprus over the past five years.

"We now have a lot of serious problems with many younger people using drugs. We never really had heroin here before, but like elsewhere in the world, people bring their habits with them,” he added.

He said a lack of support from the government on the subject of drugs was a matter, which needed correcting urgently.

“Efforts are all down to individuals who like to help. There is nothing specifically for drug users or for educating people about drugs, and they need to do more to help."

Savvides said that events such as tomorrow’s are targeted at the 18-30 age group, and he underlined that schools in Cyprus need to do more to educate children about the dangers of drugs.

“The Municipalities of Paphos and Yeroskipou plan to organise a seminar in September, and we will invite students to attend. This event aims to help them stay away from drugs."

The event tomorrow is at the castle in Kato Paphos between 5-8.30pm.