The next meeting was held in the Cabinet of Ministers on November 25, 2022, with the participation of 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 measures implemented by mass media within the framework of the fight against illegal drug trafficking and drug addiction.
During July-September of the current year, the activities of the mass media in the fight against the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors and the fight against drug addiction and the upcoming tasks were discussed.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the State Commission, Ali Ahmadov, said that considering that drug addiction and drug trafficking are the most serious and dangerous global problems faced by modern society, the fight against drug addiction and drug trafficking has been raised to the state level in our country. Thus, during the ten months of this year, positive results were achieved by law enforcement agencies in the fight against the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors. As a result of the implemented complex search and operation measures, a total of 9,564 criminal cases were discovered, more than 5 tons, 062 kg of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances were confiscated from illegal circulation. More than 95% of the mentioned drugs of foreign origin were smuggled to Azerbaijan from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran and also other illegal ways were used . As it is known, this is primarily due to the fact that the republic is located in a favorable geographical position in terms of transit from East to West.
Later, statistical indicators for cities and regions with a large number of registered drug users were analyzed, concerns were expressed about the increase in facts related to drug use, anti-narcotic propaganda should be organized using the possibilities of modern information technologies to prevent such cases, illegal drug trafficking and the spread of drug addiction. The importance of continuing the systematic work of the mass media in the direction of prevention through education was brought to the attention of the event participants.
At the event, the Chairman of the Audiovisual Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ismet Sattarov, informed about the results of the monitoring of the measures carried out by the mass media within the framework of the fight against illegal drug trafficking and drug addiction during the months of July-September of the current year, Chairman of Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting Closed Joint Stock Company Rovshan Mammadov, Executive Director of Media Development Agency Ahmed Ismayilov, General Director of Public Television Balakishi Gasimov, General Director of "Khazar TV LLC" Murad Dadashov, Head of "Azad Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting Company" Azer Khalilov , Mushfiq Hatamov, Director of Space Independent Teleradio Company, Radik Ismayilov, Director of ARB TV, Ragif Mammadov, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Azerbaijan Newspaper, supported the mentioned initiatives and, taking into account the importance of conducting the fight against drug addiction through education, they spoke about the need for wider coverage by the mass media.
As a conclusion of the meeting, appropriate recommendations were given and decisions were made in order to further strengthening of cooperation between relevant state institutions and mass media regarding further strengthening of cooperation between relevant state institutions and mass media regarding the preparation of effective and touching social videos, documentaries, risk factors of the use of psychoactive substances, harmful effects on human health and video materials expressing the essence of the problem, further expansion of the scope of education and anti-narcotic propaganda work using the possibilities of social networks and online media as well as the holding of cultural mass events and marathon marches dedicated to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.
