In the Vitebsk region, issues of interaction between state bodies on the implementation of measures aimed at combating illicit drug trafficking were considered

Countering the spread of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is one of the most important areas of activity for the law enforcement system, as well as other state structures and public associations. 

In order to prevent and suppress offenses in this area, all interested departments are taking specific organizational, legal, and medical measures related to identifying drug supply channels, bringing perpetrators to justice, organizing preventive work, and providing specialized medical care.

A comprehensive approach in this area has made it possible to ensure a stable operational situation in this direction this year. A decrease in the number of registered drug trafficking offenses and the number of citizens registered with narcological services is noted.

At the same time, the problem of drug addiction continues to be relevant and requires a more active stance from all prevention stakeholders, and close coordination of efforts by state bodies and public associations to prevent illicit drug use.

In certain regions of the oblast, the measures taken to counter illicit drug trafficking are not always adequate to the developing situation on the ground; the level and dynamics of crime are not taken into account, and the measures planned by regional comprehensive plans are in some cases not implemented or are implemented formally (Verkhnedvinsky, Dubrovensky, Senno, Chashniksky, Postavsky, Polotsk districts).

Clear interaction between territorial internal affairs departments and narcological services has not been established everywhere when

carrying out preventive work with drug-addicted individuals.

There are instances of formalism in the organization of work to prevent offenses related to illicit drug trafficking in educational institutions of the region (Vitebsk city, Orshansky district).

Such a preventive measure as sending drug-addicted individuals to therapeutic and labor dispensaries is not sufficiently applied.

The activities of the GO-ROVD (District Department of Internal Affairs) need to be improved in identifying crimes in the sphere of illicit drug trafficking, including those related to distribution.

Police officers sometimes violate legislation when preparing cases of administrative offenses related to the consumption of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, or their analogues, and when drawing up procedural documents for them. In cases of repeated offenses provided for by Part 4 of Article 17.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus, an assessment of the presence of a crime provided for by Article 328-2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus in the actions of the guilty persons is not always made. The practice of the Internal Affairs bodies in bringing citizens to administrative responsibility under Article 16.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus (Vitebsk, Polotsk, Orsha, Lepel, Tolochin districts, Vitebsk, Novopolotsk cities) needs to be adjusted.

The quality of resolving applications and reports on illicit drug trafficking by inquiry bodies does not meet the requirements. During initial investigative actions, serious errors and miscalculations are made, and violations of the norms of the Procedural Code of Administrative Offenses and the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Belarus occur, which leads to the loss of evidence that is significant for proving the guilt of individuals, and in some cases, leads to the recognition of evidence as inadmissible (Orshansky, Chashniksky, Dokshitsky, Postavsky, Shumilinsky districts).

Based on the results of the discussion, the coordinating council adopted a decision aimed at improving the interaction of all interested departments and organizations in implementing measures aimed at combating illicit drug trafficking, preventing their consumption, and social rehabilitation of drug addicts.

TatyanaLisovskaya,
Head of the Organizational and Control Department of the Vitebsk Regional Prosecutor's Office.