Alfano says ready to close other discos

(ANSA) - Rome, August 4 - Interior Minister Angelino Alfano pledged Tuesday a "zero tolerance" policy against illegal drugs and action against clubs where such drugs are available to teenagers.
    "We will adopt zero tolerance against drug highs that kill," Alfano said in an interview published Tuesday.
    That came day one day after the Cocorico disco and night club near Rimini was temporarily closed for four months after a 16-year-old died there last month.
    The teen had taken drugs purchased elsewhere.
    "We can't stand by and watch while youngsters destroy their brains and risk their lives or even lose them," he told Corriere della Sera newspaper.
    "We will continue to take severe measures of prevention and repression, but on one point I want to be clear - there is no hard line against discos, but against the sale and supply of drugs in discos".
    Asked if other clubs in addition to the Cocoricò will be closed, Alfano said "we will act against those who don't respect the law".
    He dismissed protests from the management of the Cocoricò who claim the closure is too severe.
    Alfano said "we have a duty to follow a tough line".
    He also dismissed complaints from within his own New Centre Right (NCD) party that the move was harming a business and employer.
    "We think of safeguarding the entertainment businesses by keeping pushers at a distance and reaffirm that one can also have fun till dawn without getting drugged up on tablets or drinking hard liquor," said Alfano.