Regional Executive Committee meeting: measures to combat drug trafficking crime and prevent drug addiction in the Vitebsk region were considered
The problem of drug addiction is still relevant. The lives and health of our citizens, primarily the younger generation, depend on the quality of work in this area by all government bodies.
The Internal Affairs Directorate staff constantly analyze crimes and offenses related to illicit drug trafficking. Based on this analysis, they forecast the development of the drug situation in the region.
– It is no secret that today the main distribution of drugs is carried out via the Internet. Thanks to the increased professionalism of our employees in this area and the implementation of new methods of obtaining information, the detection of drug-related crimes and drug addicts has increased, – noted the Deputy Head of the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee – Head of Criminal Police Alexander Chernyavsky.
In 10 months of the current year, more drug-related crimes were detected than in the same period last year: 369 versus 356. Almost half are related to drug distribution. More drug addicts were also detected. Over the past year, 51 more people were registered in healthcare institutions of the region: 897 versus 846.
– This year, eight premises for growing high-quality cannabis were discovered (in 2021 – 4), and 39 organized groups were identified. Last year, no supply channels for psychotropic substances to the republic were detected, while this year we have already uncovered 4 and seized almost 20 kg of dangerous drugs, which amounts to tens of thousands of single doses, – noted Alexander Chernyavsky.
Law enforcement agencies are primarily focused on identifying sellers of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. This year, 75 sellers have been identified, which is twice the number from last year. The majority of the apprehended sellers were so-called "mule-droppers" and acted in the interests of online stores, through which 87% of drugs are sold. Young people, including minors, are active users of the Internet. Increasingly, schoolchildren and students who want to earn a lot of money quickly become involved in drug trafficking. In 2022, 11 drug-related crimes committed by minors were registered, 6 of which were qualified as sales.
– Currently, standard prevention methods are becoming less effective, as we are dealing with a peculiar youth subculture closely linked to virtual space and remote communication. In this regard, all educational institutions must play a key role in prevention, – is confident the Head of the Department for Drug Control and Human Trafficking Counteraction of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Department of Internal Affairs, Police Colonel Oleg Leonidovich Gorbachev.
In his opinion, to protect children from committing drug-related crimes, it is necessary to ensure their maximum engagement, develop motivation for using the Internet for educational and developmental purposes, and popularize a healthy lifestyle among them.
In Novolukoml, the "Alternative" Prevention Center operates, where specialists from various departments and public associations present preventive information in a visual and interactive format accessible to children and youth. Additionally, a drug addiction prevention office for working with youth has been established at the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Center for Psychiatry and Narcology.
– Preventive work should be carried out not only with young people but also with their parents and educators. And for general prevention, it is necessary to increase the amount of social advertising: place it on billboards, broadcast it on monitors in the most visited public places, and publish it in utility payment notifications, – is convinced the forensic expert.
"SB"