President Shavkat Mirziyoyev today reviewed a presentation of proposals to protect the public from drug addiction, the presidential press service said.

Reportedly, over 11,000 drug-related crimes have been recorded in Uzbekistan year-to-date, and about 2,500 kilograms of drugs have been seized, with new forms and methods of drug-related crimes appearing, and their scope growing every year.

The meeting addressed current negative trends, in particular, psychotropic and synthetic substances in medicinal forms, convenient for storage and sale, are becoming increasingly abused, especially among young people. Synthetic drugs are being produced in underground laboratories, and are being sold mainly through the internet, without direct contact. While, transnational criminal groups are becoming the source of distribution.

Therefore, it is big time to adopt laws aimed at preventing such threats, uncompromisingly combating them, and completely eradicating this evil, the president noted.

Officials in-charge presented proposals for eliminating illicit drug trafficking and mechanisms to ensure the protection of public health from this threat.

The meeting emphasized that preventing the spread of drugs among schoolchildren and students and fostering an intolerant attitude towards drugs among young people should become a priority task for all bodies and organizations.

The president pointed to the need to eradicate illicit drug trafficking, primarily among young people, by applying stricter liabilities for drug-related crimes committed against young people, lauching large-scale operational and investigative activities to identify and suppress the actions of internet drug dealers, organized crime groups and drug laboratories, as well as officials who provide them with protection.

The system of diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of minors and young people suffering from drug addiction will also be fundamentally improved. Following the presentation, the president approved the draft National Program of Comprehensive Practical Actions to Prevent and Combat Drug Crimes for 2025-2026, which includes over 100 operational, preventive, organizational, educational, and informational activities.