Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 8 April (BelTA) – The systemic measures taken in Belarus to prevent the spread of narcotics have managed to reverse the negative trends in the most dangerous areas, yet some reasons for concern linger on. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement during the government conference held on 8 April to discuss the counteraction of the illegal drug turnover, BelTA has learned.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, a clear-cut system to fight illegal drug trade has been established in Belarus, with powers of the central agency and all the government agencies involved stipulated. “Persistence and systemic actions in counteracting the spread of illegal drugs have indeed reversed the trends in the most dangerous areas. We’ve pulled the carpet from under drug dealers in matters of drug production, in particular, drug production out of poppy seeds. The distribution of spice drugs has been suppressed, with many young lives saved,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

Yet the President said that there is no time to be complacent yet. Belarus is not isolated from the rest of the world and the threat of drugs still persists. It is necessary to analyze the situation and determine what additional decisions should be made to respond to the problem. “We have always been proud of the fact that Belarus is a transit country. We get certain benefits from it. But at the same time there are many negative factors, which are getting worse particularly due to the events in Ukraine,” noted the head of state.

Alexander Lukashenko stated that the bulk of illegal drugs comes to Belarus from Russia. “Apart from registering such facts, we seize the relevant drugs from drug addicts and clearly understand where they get it from,” said the President.

The spread of illegal drugs is a problem not only for individual people or families but the society as a whole, stressed the head of state. In the last two years 80 people died from drug overdose in Belarus. “Unfortunately, drugs kill not just able-bodied people but young Belarusians, particularly the so-called spice drugs,” he noted.

Alexander Lukashenko reminded that during the development of presidential decree No. 6 on immediate measures to counteract the illegal turnover of narcotics he gave instructions to enable really tough conditions in correctional institutions for people convicted of drug crimes. The instructions have been fulfilled and participants of the government conference are invited to discuss the results.