Armenia upgrades anti-drug trafficking strategy

YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. Armenian authorities are upgrading the strategy of combating drug trafficking, Healthcare Minister Anahit Avanesyan said on April 19.

“The drug addiction and overall addiction problem is becoming more and more pressing worldwide. Social media and new technologies have facilitated access to these substances,” Avanesyan told lawmakers during debates of the government’s 2022 report of its 5-year action plan when asked to comment on the issue by MP Armen Khachatryan.

Avanesyan said that since this problem isn’t only a healthcare issue, the Prime Minister has launched an inter-departmental commission involving representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport and other ministries.

“And now the strategy for combating drug addiction is being upgraded. It is being revised and adjusted to the current pressing issues every three years,” Avanesyan explained.

The National Center for Addiction Treatment was rebuilt in the past years and has increased the number of admissions.

Avanesyan said they are actively working with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport for raising awareness and showing teenagers the devastating effects of addiction.

The healthcare minister added that Armenia has a rather strict policy against drug trafficking.

MP Armen Khachatryan warned that most of the illicit drugs are smuggled into the country via post packages.