International Narcotics Control Board Annual Report for 2013 discussed at UN office in Armenia (VIDEO)
On Monday March 24 a press conference dedicated to the launch of the International Narcotics Control Board annual report for 2013 took place at the UN office in Armenia. The event was attended by representatives from the UN office in Armenia, RA Prosecutor General's Office, Ministries of Justice, Health, Education and Science, Police, State Revenue Committee and National Security Service.
A discussion evolved about the global tendencies and Armenia’s situation in this sphere.
UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative Bradley Busetto opened the event. In his speech, he mentioned that though a large quantity of drugs was found and seized by Police, Armenia is not among those countries worst affected by illicit drug abuse and trafficking.
Head of the operational division of the General Department on combating organized crime of the rA Police, Police Lieutenant Colonel Artur Minasyan reported that complex prophylactic operation «Cannabis-Poppy-2013» is annually held throughout Armenia in accordance with the main organizational action plan of the RA Police, and despite of the fact that Armenia is in a much better position as compared with the other countries of our region, statewide, drug-related crimes increased by 83. There has been an increase in drug cultivation and illicit drug possession cases, too.
Օwing to special preventive measures taken by relevant police subdivisions, 93.594 kg of various drugs, 40.7 grams of psychotropic substances and 337.5 milligram of their precursors were seized by police officers.
Artur Minasyan also stated that according to the data from the Narcological Clinic, as of January 1, 2014, the total number of drug users in Armenia has reached 5022 compared with 4332 last year. Thus, there has been an increasing tendency towards drug use.
According to Artur Minasyan, the rate of illicit drug abuse among minors doesn't exceed 8-10, while it has a growing tendency in other countries.
At the end of the press conference agency representatives responded to journalists' questions.
