The next meeting of the Commission was held in videoconference format on March 11, 2022, under the chairmanship of Mr. Ali Ahmadov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the State Commission for Combating Drug Addiction and Illegal Trafficking of Narcotics in order to discuss the work done by the relevant ministry, committee and other organizations during the past year.
At the meeting of the Commission, the work carried out on the implementation of the "2019-2024 State Program on the fight against drug addiction and the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors" approved by the Decree № 1334 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated July 22, 2019 and upcoming tasks were discussed.
It was noted that the need to protect people's health and prevent the erosion of moral values in the country has seriously increased the importance of the fight against drug addiction and illegal drug trafficking. During the reporting period, due to the consolidation of efforts of the state and civil society organizations in the fight against the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, and the expansion of international relations, necessary measures were taken to further increase the efficiency of the work carried out in the direction of the implementation of the mentioned State Program.
At the same time, the Chairman of the Commission said that during 2021, the law enforcement agencies removed more than 6 tons and 607 kilograms of various types of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances from illegal circulation due to 8,535 cases, and also brought to the attention of the meeting participants the information that 4 tons and 91 kilograms of confiscated narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances were smuggled into our country, 6,512 people were brought to criminal responsibility as a result of the investigation of the criminal cases initiated in connection with the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and 70 of the people brought to criminal responsibility are citizens of foreign countries.
First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Seyfulla Azimov, Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee Asgar Abdullayev, Deputy Chief of the State Border Service Firuz Shirinzade, Deputy Minister of Health Nadir Zeynalov, Deputy Minister of Education Firudin Gurbanov, Chairman of the Audiovisual Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ismat Sattarov made a speech and gave detailed information about the combat measures carried out by the institutions they represent, the results achieved and the tasks ahead.
At the meeting of the commission, concern was expressed about the increase in facts related to the removal of illegal drugs and psychotropic substances from circulation, their importation and use in the country and in order to prevent such situations, it was emphasized the need to increase the efforts of relevant state institutions and the public, to strengthen preventive measures against drug addiction and awareness work by preparing joint action plans and organizing them in a comprehensive manner.
As a conclusion of the meeting, implementation of upcoming tasks, strengthening of activities in the field of prevention of smuggling of narcotics and psychotropic substances into the country expanding the application of modern technologies, improving the material and technical base of drug treatment facilities, creating rehabilitation centers, to organize propaganda and educational work among teenagers and young people with effective means, to prepare and implement complex measures against the illegal circulation of drugs and drug addiction in cities and regions where drug addiction is especially widespread, and to set specific tasks in front of the relevant institutions in order to further increase efficiency in the direction of implementing other necessary measures a relevant decision was made.
